How to Use File & Directory Restoration in cPanel – A Complete Guide

Accidentally deleted a critical file? Modified a directory and now your site is down? Don’t panic—cPanel’s File and Directory Restoration tool can save the day.

This article, written exclusively for Govaio.com, will help you understand how to use this powerful cPanel feature to restore individual files or entire directories from backups. It also explains the best practices, common problems, and how to avoid data loss on your hosting account.

What is File & Directory Restoration in cPanel?

The File and Directory Restoration feature in cPanel allows you to restore deleted or overwritten files and directories from the automated backups maintained by your hosting provider.

At Govaio.com, we offer routine backup snapshots of your hosting environment. This means if something goes wrong, you can easily recover previous versions of your content without contacting support or performing a full site restore.

Why is This Feature Important?

Things can go wrong with your website or server files at any time:

  1. A developer accidentally deletes a critical PHP file.
  2. A CMS update overwrites theme files.
  3. Malware corrupts a directory.
  4. You made changes to your .htaccess file, and the site broke.
  5. Rather than manually rebuilding files or restoring your entire website, you can restore only the affected files or folders, saving time and effort.

Key Benefits for Govaio.com Users

Self-service recovery – No need to open support tickets.

Granular restore – Restore specific files or full directories.

Quick and efficient – Get your site back up in minutes.

Non-destructive – Existing files aren’t affected unless overwritten.

How to Access File & Directory Restoration in cPanel

Log in to your Govaio.com account and open your cPanel.

Scroll down to the Files section.

Click on File and Directory Restoration.

How to Restore a File or Directory (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to restore files or folders that were lost, deleted, or corrupted.

Step 1: Open the Restoration Interface

After clicking File and Directory Restoration, you'll see a searchable list of available backup snapshots.

Step 2: Search for the Item

Use the Search bar to find the file or directory.

You can search using partial names (e.g., index.php or wp-content).

Step 3: View Available Restore Points

The tool will display restore points (based on backup dates).

Each file or folder will show which version is restorable, and when it was last backed up.

Step 4: Select and Restore

Click Restore next to the file or folder you want to bring back.

Confirm your action.

⚠️ Note: This action will overwrite the existing file or folder. If you’re unsure, back up the current version first.

Example Use Cases

✅ Example 1: Restore Deleted Image

  1. You accidentally deleted a banner image from your site. Instead of redesigning it:
  2. Open File & Directory Restoration
  3. Search for /public_html/images/banner.jpg
  4. Click “Restore” – the image is instantly recovered.

✅ Example 2: Roll Back a Configuration File

  1. You edited your .htaccess file and now your site throws a 500 error. No problem:
  2. Search .htaccess
  3. Choose the latest working backup
  4. Click “Restore” – your site is back online!

✅ Example 3: Restore a WordPress Plugin Folder

  1. A plugin update broke your WordPress site. Use this feature to:
  2. Search wp-content/plugins/plugin-name
  3. Restore from the backup taken before the update

Best Practices

📌 1. Know What You’re Restoring

  • Restoring an old version of a file will overwrite the current one. Ensure you don’t lose recent changes unless necessary.

📌 2. Backup First (Manually)

  • Before restoring, consider downloading the current version of the file using File Manager or FTP, just in case.

📌 3. Use in Conjunction With Error Logs

  • Use the Errors section in cPanel or PHP logs to identify which file is causing the issue before restoring.

📌 4. Document Your Changes

  • Keep a changelog or note of what changes were made to your site before issues occur.

Common Problems and Solutions

IssueCauseSolution
File not listedFile may not be included in the latest backupWait for the next backup cycle or restore a folder
Restore failedFile in use or permission issueContact Govaio support for help
Wrong version restoredIncorrect restore point selectedRestore again from a different date
File restored but still brokenCorruption not file-relatedConsider restoring related files or folders

❓Does restoring a file delete my other files?

  • No, only the selected file or directory is restored. Other files remain untouched.

❓Can I restore an entire website using this tool?

  • Yes, if you restore the root public_html folder, it will effectively roll back your whole website.

❓What if I can’t find the file I want to restore?

  • Files outside of the backup cycle (e.g., very recent files) might not be available. Govaio.com takes regular backups, but the frequency depends on your hosting plan. Contact support for deeper recovery options.

❓Is this feature available on all Govaio hosting plans?

  • It is available on most shared, business, and cloud hosting plans. If it's not visible in your cPanel, please check with Govaio support.

Comparison with Full Account Backup

FeatureFile & Directory RestorationFull Backup
SpeedInstantSlower
ControlGranularAll-inclusive
Ease of UseSimpleRequires download/upload
Ideal forSmall fixesComplete site migration or rollback

Use File & Directory Restoration for quick fixes. Use Full Backups when moving sites or preparing for major changes.

The File & Directory Restoration feature is a lifesaver for developers, website owners, and admins. At Govaio.com, we’re committed to giving you the tools to stay in control of your data, fix problems quickly, and avoid catastrophic losses.

Whether you're managing a blog, an e-commerce store, or a large CMS, this feature helps keep your data safe and your website online.

🛡️ This guide was written exclusively for Govaio.com clients. We encourage you to use File & Directory Restoration as part of your regular site management and recovery strategy.