> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Managing FTP accounts in cPanel
> Learn how to manage file transfer protocol (FTP) accounts in cPanel, with these instructions on how to add, modify, and delete accounts.
This article describes how to add, modify, and delete FTP accounts for your web site.
## About the File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol that is used to transfer files between computers. To download or upload files, a user uses an FTP client to connect to an FTP server.
There are many FTP clients available for all of the major operating systems. There are standalone FTP clients, such as FileZilla, and most web browsers have integrated FTP functionality. Generally, if you have a large amount of files to upload or download, using a dedicated FTP client is the easiest and preferred method. For more information about how to use an FTP client with your hosting account, please see [this article](/docs/using-ftp-file-transfer-protocol).
Using cPanel, you can set up FTP accounts so that specific external users can access a restricted part of your web site.
**οΈ Warning**
By its very nature, FTP allows external users to modify files on your web site (although only in the directory or directories for which you have granted access). External users can upload, download, and delete files, which has security implications for your account. Please keep this in mind when you set up an FTP account for a user.
## Creating an FTP account
When you create an FTP account, cPanel creates a directory on your web site that allows external users (who know the username and password) to upload and download files to and from that location.
**Important**
All users with the correct username and password will be able to add, edit, and delete files from the directory that you specify for the FTP account, as well as any subdirectories beneath it.
To create an FTP account on your web site, follow these steps:
1. Log in to cPanel.
> π Note
>
> If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).
2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Files** section, click **FTP Accounts**:\
3. Under **Add FTP Account**, in the **Log In** text box, type the username for the FTP account.
4. In the **Domain** list box, select the domain for the user.
> π Note
>
> Complete FTP account usernames are in the format [*user@example.com*](mailto:_user@example.com_), where *user* represents the value you type in the **Log In** text box, and *example.com* represents the domain you select.
5. In the **Password** text box, type the account password.
6. In the **Password (Again)** text box, retype the account password.
> π Tip
>
> You can click **Password Generator** and cPanel generates a random, strong password for you.
7. cPanel automatically completes the **Directory** text box based on the username and domain you specify. You can change this value if you want.
> βοΈ Warning
>
> If you remove the automatically generated directory name and leave the **Directory** text box blank, then the user will be able to add, edit, and delete all files on your account. We **strongly** advise you to limit an FTP account to a subdirectory on your account.
8. Specify the quota for the FTP account. By default, the quota is unlimited. To set a quota, type the number, in megabytes, for the maximum directory size.
9. Click **Create FTP Account**. cPanel creates the account.
## Changing the password for an FTP account
It is a good security practice to regularly change FTP account passwords. You should always change an FTP account password if you suspect an unauthorized user has gained access to the account.
To change the password for an FTP account, follow these steps:
1. Log in to cPanel.
> π Note
>
> If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).
2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Files** section, click **FTP Accounts**:\
3. Under **FTP Accounts**, locate the account password that you want to change, and then click **Change Password**.
4. In the **Password** text box, type the new password.
5. In the **Password (Again)** text box, retype the new password.
> π Tip
>
> You can click **Password Generator** and cPanel generates a random, strong password for you.
6. Click **Change Password**. cPanel changes the account password.
## Deleting an FTP account
To delete an FTP account, follow these steps:
1. Log in to cPanel.
> π Note
>
> If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).
2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Files** section, click **FTP Accounts**:\
3. Under **FTP Accounts**, locate the account that you want to delete, and then click **Delete**.
4. You can delete just the FTP account, or you can delete the FTP account and all of its associated files:
* To delete just the FTP account, click **Delete**.
* To delete the FTP account and all of the files in the account's directory, select the **Delete the Userβs Home Directory** check box, and then click **Delete**.
## More information
For more information about FTP, please visit [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File\_Transfer\_Protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Transfer_Protocol).
## Related articles
* [Using FTP (File Transfer Protocol)](/docs/using-ftp-file-transfer-protocol)
* [cPanel File Manager](/docs/cpanel-file-manager)
* [Viewing disk usage information](/docs/disk-space-usage)
* [Managing backups](/docs/backups-in-cpanel)