The task arose to transfer the site from the local server to the hosting, where the site was already installed, the modified version of which I need to upload to the current domain. I prepared all the files for transfer, but when checking the host via ftp, I found folders in addition to standard wordpress files.well-known, cgi-bin and admin, after reading, I found out that the folder.well-known is responsible for generating an ssl certificate.

What should I do with these folders when installing a new site on the same domain (I install using duplicator) and should these folders be deleted along with all the old content?

When installing a new site on the same domain using Duplicator, you typically don't need to worry about the ".well-known" and "cgi-bin" folders. These are generally used for specific purposes by your hosting provider or for advanced server configurations.

The ".well-known" folder is commonly used for domain validation during SSL certificate setup. If you're installing a new site on the same domain, you can safely delete this folder along with all the old content.

The "cgi-bin" folder is used for housing CGI scripts that your website may use. If your new site doesn't have any CGI scripts or if you're unsure whether your old site utilized them, you can also delete this folder.

As for the "admin" folder, it's a standard WordPress folder containing important files for managing your site's administration. You should not delete this folder as it is required for your WordPress installation to function properly.

In summary, you can delete the ".well-known" and "cgi-bin" folders when installing a new site on the same domain. However, make sure to keep the "admin" folder intact.

If you are moving to a different domain, you should delete the existing one. This is because when generating a certificate for a new domain, certbot will create a new folder.

In case you decide to switch to a new hosting provider, even if you keep the same domain, make sure to copy all the other folders along with it.


Keep in mind that certain actions, such as deleting or copying folders, can have an impact on the functionality of your website.

If you do not intend to generate a certificate, such as an SSL certificate for hosting purposes, there is no necessity to duplicate the folder.
If you possess a VPS, it is advisable to do so. However, if you are questioning this, it is likely that the folders are unnecessary.

What hinders the copying process with or without the folders? If it functions well without them, then they are not required.

When installing a new site on the same domain using Duplicator, you should not delete the .well-known, cgi-bin, and admin folders. These folders serve important functions, and deleting them could cause issues with your site.

The .well-known folder is indeed used for generating an SSL certificate, so it's essential for maintaining secure connections to your website. The cgi-bin folder is commonly used for server-side scripts and executables, and it's also necessary for proper server functioning.

When using Duplicator to install the modified version of your site on the hosting, you should leave these folders as they are. Duplicator will handle transferring the necessary content and files to set up the new instance of your site while retaining these essential system folders.

In summary, do not delete these folders when installing the new site, as they are crucial for the proper functioning of your website and server.


Additionally, if you are using Duplicator to migrate your WordPress website to a new hosting environment, you do not need to manually delete these folders. Duplicator is designed to handle the migration process seamlessly, ensuring that all necessary files and folders are transferred to the new hosting environment.

However, it's important to ensure that the permissions and ownership of these folders are set correctly on the new hosting server after the migration. This will help ensure that the SSL certificate generation and other server-side processes continue to function properly without any issues.

After completing the migration with Duplicator, it's always a good practice to thoroughly test the website on the new hosting environment to make sure everything is functioning as expected. This includes testing SSL functionality, server-side scripts, and any other server-specific configurations to ensure that the website is fully operational in its new location.


When using Duplicator to install the new version of your website on the hosting, you should make sure that the SSL certificate is correctly configured for the domain. It's advisable to verify that the .well-known folder and its contents are preserved during the migration to ensure that the SSL certificate renewal process continues to function without interruption.

As for the cgi-bin folder, it's a standard directory for server-side scripts and executables, and it should not be removed. This folder is required for the proper functioning of server-side processes on your hosting environment.

Regarding the admin folder, it typically contains files related to the administration interface of your website, such as login pages and administration scripts. It is also an essential part of the WordPress installation and should not be deleted.

In summary, when installing the modified version of your site using Duplicator, ensure that these folders are retained as they are crucial for the proper functioning of your website and server. After the migration, it's essential to test the website thoroughly to ensure that all functionality, including SSL certificate generation and server-side scripts, continues to work as expected on the new hosting environment.