What is Softaculous? Softaculous is a terrific script auto-installer, for use on CPanel servers. It installs open-source programs like message boards, photo albums, blog scripts, content management systems, help desk, and others – all with the click of a button or two!
What is required to use Softaculous?
Your cPanel account already contains all the tools necessary to run Softaculous’s scripts. Just log into your cPanel at http://YOURdomainname.net/cpanel/, scroll down to Softaculous Apps Installer and click on the link to get started!
Why should I use Softaculous instead of installing a script manually?
Sometimes it’s easier to use the scripts from the Softaculous library instead of manually installing your own version. Crosswinds keeps an active eye on them to ensure they are up to date. This is particularly important for security updates.
How do I install a script with Softaculous?
To install a script with Softaculous log into your cPanel at http://YOURdomainname.net/cpanel/ and scroll down to Softaculous Apps Installer and click on the link. Click once to bring up a list of the scripts which are available to install. To install a script, choose the script you would like from the menu that appears on the left and follow the instructions. The example pictured here shows how to begin to install WordPress.
What about script updates?
Softaculous gets updated all the time with the latest script versions. Script updates are often released for security reasons, so if you have a script installed with Softaculous, you should definitely check back in your cPanel to see if an updated version is currently available. Softaculous can update your script with the changed files, keeping your site protected and secure (read more about that here) . But it’s generally a little safer to upgrade from within the script itself. That way, you are assured of upgrading to the latest release. Some scripts like WordPress, once they are installed, include their own update notices. In these cases, once the script has been installed, it’s a very good idea to use the script itself to do the updates to keep your site secure. (Please read more about installing WordPress via Softaculous) IMPORTANT: Softaculous can only update a script which it installed to begin with.Softaculous tracks what it has installed and where, and it will only “see” the files it installed. If you need to update a script which you installed or modified from within the program, then you will need to continue to update it outside of Softaculous.
How do I uninstall a script which Softaculous installed?
If you decide you no longer want a script which Softaculous installed, you should also use Softaculous to remove it. Go back to the link for the script inside Softaculous, and follow the instructions for uninstalling that particular script. Let’s say you want to remove your Softaculous installed WordPress. It is located below “blogs” on the left sidebar. Go to the script area in Softaculous. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the red X or choose “remove script” from the dropdown list and hit “Go”. If you think you might like to keep your WordPress, you can first click on the database icon to get a database backup. Once you hit the red X, click on “remove installation”. A cautionary window will pop up saying that there is no going back once the script is removed. Say okay. IMPORTANT: Do NOT uninstall a script by simply manually removing all its files.Softaculous tracks what it has installed and where, and it will still think the script is installed even if the files are gone. This can prevent you from being able to reinstall the same script or from installing a new script in that location later. Always use Softaculous to uninstall a script which was installed with Softaculous originally.
Where can I get script support?
To learn more about or to troubleshoot a particular installed script, go to that script’s homepage (linked in Softaculous). Most of the script homepages have support forums or FAQ pages of their own.
What if the script I want to install isn’t listed?
We offer all of the scripts which the current version of Softaculous supports. Softaculous adds new scripts all the time, however, so check your cPanel often for new additions.
To see which new scripts have been requested or are under consideration, look at the Softaculous support forums.
Note that Softaculous only supports open-source (free for the public/GPL licensed) scripts, so if you’re looking for a commercial script, you will need to purchase and install it yourself. If you’re unsure if a commercial script is safe or approved for use on Crosswinds’ servers, write to cwpro[at]crosswinds[dot]net with a link to the script or a description, and ask.
How do I move a Fantastico installed script over to Softaculous?
Your script can be imported into Softaculous:
Let’s say you want to keep your Fantastico-installed Moodle. Within Softaculous, either search for Moodle) or click on the name displayed in the scripts list.
Type “Moodle” into the search box on the top left side of the page to find the script. Once you are on the Moodle script page (still within Softaculous) click “Import” (top right side of page)
Provide the script location (if it is in its own folder, type “/Moodle/”. If it is installed in root folder of the website, leave “In Directory” empty). Click on the “Import” button.
What if I want to remove a script that was installed by Fantastico but isn’t listed on Softaculous?
It is possible… here’s how:
Now that you have back-ups of your files and databases, remove the unwanted script from your public_html folder. You will need to remove all related files and folders of the script. If the script you installed is in its own folder, you only need to delete that folder and its contents (if you installed Moodle, you may have put it in a folder called, “coursework”. Delete the “coursework” folder, including all of its contents). After deleting the script’s files and folders, leave the trash area full; wait until you have checked that everything is working correctly.
Remove the database(s) related to the script: go to your CPanel (http://youatcw.net/cpanel/), and click on the MySQL Databases link in the Databases area. Find the database name in those that appear in the table below “Current Databases”. Select the corresponding “delete database” that appears on the right.
A confirmation window will appear. Double-check that you are deleting the correct database, then click on the “Delete Database” box.
You’re almost done but not quite finished yet…. Now go the file manager in CPanel. On the left side of the page, under “public_html”, locate the folder called .fantasticodata and click on the + sign beside it, then select the database folder that you would like to delete. In the example, it’s called Moodle. Open that folder and remove the file that is located there.
Check to see that everything is working correctly on your site (it should be). Now there is only one thing left to do: purge the trash. You no longer need to keep any of the script related files you removed.
How do I get back to CPanel?
To get out of Softaculous and back to your CPanel homepage, click on the box shaped icon located beside the little white house at the top of the page.
The question I have isn’t answered here.
If you need additional help using the Softaculous installer, first search the online Softaculous forums. If you cannot find a solution there, use our contact form to ask one of us a question about Softaculous. Be sure to include all relevant information in your request: account username, URL where your script is installed, the exact problem you are having, error messages, etc. Don’t forget to include an email address where you can receive a reply.
IMPORTANT: Softaculous can only update a script which it installed to begin with. Softaculous tracks what it has installed and where, and it will only “see” the files it installed. If you need to update a script which you installed or modified from within the program, then you will need to continue to update it outside of Softaculous.
Once you hit the red X, click on “remove installation”. A cautionary window will pop up saying that there is no going back once the script is removed. Say okay.
