How do I move my WordPress from a subdirectory to the root or top directory?

Short answer: if WordPress is installed in a folder such as /wp but you want the site to open at example.com, change the Site Address in WordPress, copy two files to the main folder, and edit one line.

This is the method described by WordPress.org as "giving WordPress its own directory". Make a backup first.

Steps

1. Log in to WordPress. Go to Settings, then General.
2. Leave WordPress Address (URL) as it is (for example https://example.com/wp).
3. Change Site Address (URL) to your main address (for example https://example.com). Click Save Changes. You may see an error page. That is expected. Do not worry.
4. In cPanel open File Manager. Copy the files index.php and .htaccess from the wp folder to public_html. (To see .htaccess, open Settings in File Manager and tick Show Hidden Files.)
5. Edit index.php in public_html. Find the line that says require __DIR__ . '/wp-blog-header.php'; and change it to require __DIR__ . '/wp/wp-blog-header.php';. Use your real folder name instead of wp. Save.
6. Open your main address. Then in WordPress go to Settings, Permalinks and click Save Changes.

Problems

If the site shows an error, restore your backup and check the folder name in step 5. For a full move of all files to the main folder instead, follow our migration guide or open a support ticket.