How to Copy or Move Files Between Directories in Plesk

Plesk File Manager makes it easy to copy or move files and folders between directories without needing FTP or SSH access. Here’s how to do it.

How to copy files to another directory

1. Log in to Plesk.
2. Go to Websites & Domains and click File Manager for your domain.
3. Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to copy.
4. Tick the checkboxes next to the files and/or folders.
5. Click the Copy button in the toolbar.
6. In the dialog that appears, browse to or type the destination directory path.
7. If you want to overwrite files with the same names, tick Replace existing files.
8. Click OK.

The original files remain in place, and copies are created in the destination folder.

How to move files to another directory

1. In File Manager, navigate to the folder containing the files.
2. Tick the checkboxes next to the files and/or folders you want to move.
3. Click the Move button in the toolbar.
4. Browse to or type the destination directory path.
5. If you want to overwrite files with the same names, tick Replace existing files.
6. Click OK.

The files are removed from the original location and placed in the destination folder.

The difference between Copy and Move

• Copy — creates a duplicate. The original file stays where it is.
• Move — relocates the file. The original is removed from the source directory.

Important notes

• You can select multiple files and folders at once before clicking Copy or Move.
• The destination path is relative to your hosting root. For example, to move a file into your website’s root, the path would typically be /httpdocs/.
• Moving core website files (like .htaccess or web.config) can break your site. Be careful what you move.
• If you don’t see the Copy or Move buttons, make sure at least one file is selected (checkbox ticked).

Troubleshooting

• Files aren’t appearing in the destination: Refresh File Manager and double-check the destination path. A typo in the path means the files may end up in an unexpected location.
• “Permission denied” error: You may be trying to copy/move files outside your allowed directory. Contact your hosting provider if you need access to other areas.
• Only one file moved when multiple were selected: This is a known issue in older Plesk versions. Update to the latest version, or move files one at a time as a workaround.