I moved the directory and after the move deleted the sub-directory.
I did not change the URL setting after I moved code from the sub-directory because I had the URL setting without the sub-directory when all of the code was in sub-folder.
I did not change the .htaccess path, where to change this ? following is the contents of .htaccess file in the public_html
# 1. To use URL Aliases you need to be running apache with mod_rewrite enabled.
# 2. In your abantecart main directory rename file htaccess.txt to .htaccess
# 3. Edit file .htaccess. If abantecart is installed in yourdomain/ subfolder change configuration line RewriteBase / to RewriteBase /subfolder/.
# Example: yourdomain.com/store use RewriteBase/store/
# Important to have / at the end of the line.
# 4. if htaccess and mode_rewrite still does not works - check and set apache2 webserver directive AllowOverride All for your virtual hosts
# For any support issues please visit: newbielink:http://forum.abantecart.com [nonactive]
Options +FollowSymlinks
# Prevent Directoy listing
Options -Indexes
# Prevent Direct Access to files
<FilesMatch "\.tpl">
Order deny,allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
# Rewrite section for retina high-res images with @2x in the end of filename base on cookie HTTP_IS_RETINA
# To emulate Retina mode on your NON-Retina display, add HTTP_IS_RETINA cookie in your browser
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_COOKIE} HTTP_IS_RETINA [NC]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !@2x
RewriteRule ^(.*)\.(gif|jpg|png)$ $1@2x.$2
# if @2x isn't available fulfill the original request
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteRule ^(.*)@2x\.(gif|jpg|png)$ $1.$2
# SEO URL Settings
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^(.*)\?*$ index.php?_route_=$1 [L,QSA]
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php54 .php .php5 .php4 .php3