How to Move WordPress from a Subdirectory to the Root Directory

Have you installed WordPress in a subdirectory like yourdomain.com/blog but now want it to appear directly at yourdomain.com? You are not alone! Many site owners start their site in a subfolder and later decide to move it to the main root directory for better branding, SEO, or usability.

This guide will show you step-by-step how to safely move WordPress from a subdirectory to your root directory, without breaking your website.

What You Need Before You Start

• Access to your cPanel/File Manager or FTP client

• Backup plugin (like UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration)

• Access to your WordPress admin dashboard

• Time: ~20–30 minutes

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Backup Your Website (Important!)

Before doing anything, take a full backup of your website (files + database).

Step 2: Copy Files from Subdirectory to Root

1. Log into your File Manager (via cPanel) or use FTP.

2. Navigate to /public_html/blog/ (or whatever your subdirectory is).

3. Select all files, including .htaccess and move/copy them to /public_html/.

Important: Do NOT delete the files in the subdirectory until the new root setup is confirmed to work.

Step 3: Update WordPress Settings (Dashboard)

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard (still using yourdomain.com/blog/wp-admin)

2. Go to Settings > General

3. Change both:

   • WordPress Address (URL): https://yourdomain.com

   • Site Address (URL): https://yourdomain.com

4. Click Save Changes

Step 4: Fix Permalinks

1. Log back into your WordPress admin panel — now at yourdomain.com/wp-admin

2. Go to Settings > Permalinks

3. Click Save Changes to refresh your permalink structure.

Step 5: Update .htaccess File (Optional but Recommended)

Check that your .htaccess in the root directory has correct rewrite rules. A typical .htaccess looks like this: