Web Disk maps your hosting account's files to a drive on your computer, so you can open, edit and save them in your normal applications without uploading anything. It uses WebDAV, which Windows, macOS and Linux all support natively - no extra software required. This guide covers connecting, creating restricted accounts for other people, and the security consideration that decides how you should set it up.
It suits occasional editing of documents and small files in place - open, change, save, done. For bulk transfers, deployments and large files, SFTP is faster and far more reliable. Think of Web Disk as a convenience, not a deployment mechanism.
Your main Web Disk account
One already exists. Open Files → Web Disk and you will see the Main Web Disk Account - your cPanel username, with access to /, meaning your entire home directory.
Creating a restricted Web Disk account
- Log in to cPanel from My Products & Services.
- Under Files, open Web Disk.
- Under Create an Additional Web Disk Account, enter a Username and select the domain.
- Set a strong Password - the strength meter should read high, not "Very Weak".
- Set the Directory to exactly the folder they need, for example
public_html/documents. This becomes the account's root and they cannot climb above it. - Choose Permissions:
- Read-Write - they can add, change and delete files.
- Read-Only - they can view and download but not modify. Prefer this whenever it is sufficient.
- Tick Enable Digest Authentication if the person uses Windows (see below).
- Click Create.
Digest Authentication and Windows
cPanel states this directly on the page: if you use Windows Vista, 7, 8 or 10, you must enable Digest Authentication to access your Web Disk. Windows will otherwise refuse the connection, usually with an unhelpful error about the folder not being valid.
You can switch it on for the main account with the Enable Digest Authentication button beside it, or tick the box when creating an additional account.
Connecting
The easiest route is Configure Client Access beside the account, which generates a configuration script for your operating system and shows the exact settings. To do it manually:
Windows
- Open File Explorer, right-click This PC and choose Map network drive.
- Pick a drive letter.
- Enter the folder as
https://yourdomain.com:2078/. - Tick Connect using different credentials, then Finish.
- Enter the Web Disk username and password.
macOS
- In Finder, choose Go → Connect to Server.
- Enter
https://yourdomain.com:2078/. - Click Connect and enter the credentials.
Linux
In your file manager's "Connect to Server" dialog, use davs://yourdomain.com:2078/.
Port 2078 is the encrypted connection and the one to use. Port 2077 is unencrypted - avoid it, since it sends your password in clear text.
Web Disk compared with the alternatives
| Web Disk | SFTP | File Manager | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software needed | None | An FTP client | None |
| Edit in place | Yes | Download, edit, re-upload | Basic editor only |
| Bulk transfers | Slow | Fast, resumable | Use an archive |
| Restrict to one folder | Yes | Yes, via an FTP account | No |
| Read-only option | Yes | No | No |
The read-only option is Web Disk's genuinely distinctive feature. It is the simplest way to give someone access to files they must not be able to change.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Windows: "The folder you entered does not appear to be valid" | Digest Authentication is not enabled. Turn it on for that account and reconnect. |
| Connection refused or times out | Your network blocks port 2078. Test on mobile data to confirm, then use SFTP instead if the block is permanent. |
| Certificate warning on connecting | You are using the domain before its SSL is issued. Use the server hostname from your welcome email, which always presents a valid certificate. Do not switch to the unencrypted port. |
| Credentials rejected | The username is normally the full user@yourdomain.com form for additional accounts. Check the exact value listed in the Web Disk table. |
| Drive connects but is very slow | Expected with many files in one folder - WebDAV is chatty. Use SFTP for bulk work. |
| Cannot save changes | The account is Read-Only, or the underlying file permissions prevent writing. Check both. |
| Drive disconnects after a while | Normal for mapped WebDAV drives on idle connections. Reconnect, and do not rely on it staying mounted for scheduled tasks. |
| Files appear as 0 bytes or corrupt after saving | An interrupted write, usually on a flaky connection. Keep a local copy of anything important and avoid editing large files directly over Web Disk. |
Frequently asked questions
Is Web Disk the same as cloud storage?
No. It is a live view of your hosting account, not a synchronised copy. Files are not stored on your computer, and there is no offline access - if the connection drops, the drive is unavailable.
Can I use it as a backup?
No. It is a window onto the same files, so deleting through Web Disk deletes them on the server. Use Files → Backup for backups.
How many accounts can I create?
Create as many as you need. Keep them scoped to single folders and delete them when the work finishes.
Does Web Disk use my disk quota?
Only in the sense that files stored on the account do. The connection itself uses none.
Can I edit my website's PHP files through it?
You can, but treat it as editing production. Copy the file first, and do not do it at a busy time. For real development work, use Git or a proper deployment process.
What is the difference between a Web Disk account and an FTP account?
Both can be scoped to a folder. Web Disk mounts as a drive and offers a read-only mode; FTP needs a client but is much faster for bulk transfers.
