.htaccess is a configuration file used in Apache Web Server. Apache detects and executes the .htaccess file if found. .htaccess file can be used to enable/disable additional functionality of apache web server. This file affects the files and sub directories in the directory it is placed in.

Below are the top 10 usage of htaccess files

1) Security

.htaccess files are often used to provide security restriction for a particular directory. The .htpaswd file is used along with .htaccess file to password protect a directory.