How to Change Default Index File in cPanel
cPanel is a popular control panel used by many web hosting providers to manage websites. One common task that webmasters often need to do is to change the default index file for their website. In this guide, we will show you how to change the default index file in cPanel.
Step 1: Log in to cPanel
The first step is to log in to your cPanel account. You can do this by entering your username and password provided by your web hosting provider. Once you are logged in, you will see the cPanel dashboard.
Step 2: Navigate to the File Manager
Once you are in the cPanel dashboard, navigate to the "File Manager" option. Click on it to open the file manager interface.
Step 3: Locate the Public_html Folder
In the file manager, you will see a list of folders. Look for the "public_html" folder, which is the root directory for your website. Double click on it to open the folder.
Step 4: Find the .htaccess File
Next, you will need to find the .htaccess file in the public_html folder. If you do not see the .htaccess file, you may need to enable the option to show hidden files in the file manager settings.
Step 5: Edit the .htaccess File
Right-click on the .htaccess file and select the "Edit" option. This will open a text editor where you can make changes to the file.
Step 6: Add the Default Index File
To change the default index file, you will need to add a line of code to the .htaccess file. The line should look like this:
DirectoryIndex newindex.html
Replace "newindex.html" with the filename of the new default index file you want to use.
Step 7: Save the Changes
After adding the line of code to the .htaccess file, click on the "Save Changes" button to save the file.
Step 8: Test the Changes
Finally, you should test the changes by entering your website URL in a browser. If everything is set up correctly, the new default index file should be displayed.
Conclusion
Changing the default index file in cPanel is a simple process that can be done by editing the .htaccess file. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily change the default index file for your website and customize it to your liking.
