Resetting Site Content for a Managed cPanel Account

Resetting site content returns a managed hosting account to a clean default state. This process is useful when test applications are no longer needed, configuration changes have broken the website, or you want to start fresh without recreating the account.

This procedure removes website files, databases, domains, and scheduled tasks. Email accounts and existing email messages are not affected.

Important notes before you begin

• All website content will be permanently deleted.
• Databases cannot be recovered unless you have backups.
• Email accounts and mailboxes remain intact.

These steps apply to managed environments running on cPanel hosting services.

Removing applications installed with Softaculous

Applications installed through Softaculous must be removed first.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open the Tools page.
3. In the Softaculous Apps Installer section, click Softaculous Apps Installer.
4. Locate each installed application.
5. Uninstall all applications.

[Screenshot placeholder: Softaculous application list]

Deleting all databases

All MySQL and PostgreSQL databases must be removed.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open the Databases section.
3. Click Manage My Databases for MySQL databases.
4. Click PostgreSQL Databases for PostgreSQL databases.
5. Delete all existing databases and users.

[Screenshot placeholder: Database management screen]

Removing additional domains

Subdomains, addon domains, and parked domains must be deleted so the account only contains the primary domain.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open the Domains section.
3. Remove all Subdomains.
4. Remove all Addon Domains.
5. Remove all Aliases.

[Screenshot placeholder: Domains management section]

Deleting website files

All website files are stored inside the public_html directory.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open the Tools page.
3. In the Files section, click File Manager.
4. When prompted, select Web Root and click Go.
5. Open the public_html directory.
6. Click Select All.
7. Click Delete and confirm.

[Screenshot placeholder: File Manager with public_html selected]

This step removes all website content while leaving system directories untouched.

Removing cron jobs

Scheduled tasks can continue running even after files are removed. These must be deleted manually.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open the Tools page.
3. In the Advanced section, click Cron Jobs.
4. Remove all configured cron jobs.

[Screenshot placeholder: Cron Jobs configuration screen]

After the reset

Once all steps are completed, the account is returned to a default state with no active website content. You can now deploy a new site, reinstall applications, or build a fresh project using tools such as a website builder. For larger environments or advanced recovery scenarios, infrastructure based on cloud servers may provide greater flexibility.