---
title: How to Password Protect a Folder in cPanel (Directory Privacy)
description: "**In short:** To protect a folder on your site with a password: go to cPanel, then Files, then Directory Privacy. Choose the folder, tick Password protect this directory, enter a name for the protected area and click Save, then create…"
url: "https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/password-protect-directory-cpanel/"
updated: "2026-09-30"
category: Website control panel ( cpanel )
---

# How to Password Protect a Folder in cPanel (Directory Privacy)

**In short:** To protect a folder on your site with a password: go to cPanel, then Files, then Directory Privacy. Choose the folder, tick Password protect this directory, enter a name for the protected area and click Save, then create a username and password. The browser will then ask for these details before anyone can open the folder.

Directory Privacy adds a login prompt to any folder on your website, for example an admin area, a staging copy or private files.

**1.** Log in to cPanel (see [how to log in to cPanel](https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/how-to-log-in-to-cpanel/)).

**2.** In the **Files** section, click **Directory Privacy**.

![Directory Privacy](https://hyyathost.com/images/2017/07/23/Screenshot-7_23_201710_42_12PM.png)

**3.** Click the folder icon next to public_html (or www) to browse your folders.

![Browse folders](https://hyyathost.com/images/2017/07/23/Screenshot-7_23_201710_43_10PM.png)

**4.** Click **Edit** next to the folder you want to protect.

![Choose the folder](https://hyyathost.com/images/2017/07/24/Screenshot-7_23_201710_43_52PM.png)

**5.** Tick **Password protect this directory**, enter a name for the protected directory and click **Save**.

![Protect the directory](https://hyyathost.com/images/2017/07/24/Screenshot-7_23_201710_47_27PM.png)

**6.** Create a user: enter a username and password and click **Save**.

![Create a user](https://hyyathost.com/images/2017/07/24/Screenshot-7_23_201710_48_44PM488bc.png)

Now, anyone who opens that folder in a browser must enter this username and password.

**Related service:** [Hyyat Host shared hosting](https://www.hyyat.com/en/shared-hosting-2/) includes cPanel and 24/7 support.

 **Need this service from Hyyat Host?**Our team handles it for you, with support replying to tickets within 24 hours at most.[Web Hosting](https://www.hyyat.com/en/hosting/)[Saudi Hosting](https://www.hyyat.com/en/saudi-hosting/)