Getting started with IIS 7.x

How to setup IIS for the first time

This how-to explains how to setup IIS 7.x for your first website.  It assumes you have already installed IIS on your system.

Start the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager (Start > Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager)

* If IIS 6 is available, do not use it.

Right click on Sites > Add Web Site

In the Add Web Site pop up window:

a. Site Name: I recommend using the FQDN (newdomain.com), but this is not required.

b. Physical Path:  Select the folder for your site files.  Recommended locations include :

C:/inetpub/wwwroot/newdomain.com or C:/inetpub/wwwroot/vhosts/newdomain.com

* You will need to create this folder if it does not already exist or you will get errors.

c. In the Binding section, select Type: http, IP address: All Uunassigned (unless you require a dedicated IP) and Port: 80.

d. For the Host name, use your domain’s FQDN.  This is very important if you are using a shared IP!  (I don’t think this is required for domains on dedicated IPs)

e. Check [X] Start Web site immediately and then click OK to start your website

Your domain should now be available online, however you will probably get the following “Server error: 403 – Forbidden: Access is denied. You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied” until you add content.