How To Delete Those Files Faster

Have you ever tried to delete a folder containing many files from your web hosting account using an FTP client? It seems to take forever, right? Here’s how you could make it faster.

But first, why is it so slow — even though you have this super duper broadband Internet connection?

Sure, faster Internet connection never hurts, but the main issue here is the number of files you’re deleting. Your FTP software sends the necessary command that tells your FTP server to delete a file — for EACH of the files, and then wait for acknowledgment that the file has been deleted (or not), before moving on to the next file.

Granted, all this hand-shaking takes place in the split of a second. But if you’re deleting a folder containing 100, 500, or even 1000 or more files, those seconds quickly add up!

So how can you make it faster?

These days nearly all web hosting companies have some sort of web-based control panel (eg cPanel, Plesk, Helm, DirectAdmin, etc) for their clients to manage their account online. If your hosting account comes with cPanel, here is how to quickly delete a folder, no matter how many files may be contained in it, using cPanel’s File Manager:

First, login to your cPanel and click on File Manager. This should open a new browser window, so if you click on it and nothing happens, be sure to check your pop-up blocker.

From File Manager, you will see a number of files and directories (folders) listed. To open a particular folder, click on the ICON to the left of the folder (not the folder’s name!).

After navigating to the particular folder you want to delete, click on the Folder’s name. This will present a set of options to the upper-right corner of your screen, one of which is the option to delete the folder.

One cool thing about cPanel is … just like with your desktop computer, deleting a file / folder does not immediately erase it from your system. Rather it keeps it in a Trash can, from where you can restore it, in case you change your mind later.

If you have a different control panel other than cPanel, the process may not be that different. Read your control panel’s manual for the specific instructions.

And if you’ve got a question about managing your hosting account, don’t hesitate to contact me: I’m always here to help. Leave a comment below, shoot me an e-mail, call, text, IM or leave a voicemail, or or head over to the Chat Room for a live discussion.