How To Install and Configure IIS on Windows Server 2016/2019/2022?

IIS (Internet Information Services) is a reliable web server that hosts thousands of enterprise solutions and websites. However, if it is not installed and configured properly, it is just a tool with its potential left unexplored.

IIS or Internet Information Services is a comprehensive, scalable web server platform developed by Microsoft and was also closely tied to the Windows NT family. Whether you're running modern web applications or legacy systems, IIS has got your back with support for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SMTP, and is widely used by businesses and developers alike.

IIS has come a long way from where it started with Windows NT 4.0, a platform that is now able to run technologies like ASP. Compare and Contrast .NET, PHP, and HTML with exceptionally high compatibility with Windows Servers (2016, 2019, 2022).

Required IIS Components

Before we dive into installation, let’s cover the essential components you need for a fully functioning IIS setup:

1. Web Server

   
   

   The foundation of IIS. This provides the core functionality needed to host websites and serve HTTP/HTTPS requests.

2. Security

   
   

   Add modules like Basic Authentication, Digest Authentication, and Request Filtering to secure your web applications.

3. Application Development

   
   

   Enables support for ASP.NET, CGI, WebSocket Protocols, and more—crucial for running dynamic web applications.

4. Management Tools

   
   

   These tools (like IIS Manager) make it easier to configure and monitor your IIS environment.

5. IIS Management Scripts and Tools

   
   

   Includes PowerShell modules for automation and scripting IIS tasks.

6. Management Service

   
   

   Allows remote management of the IIS server.

1. Open the Add Roles and Features Wizard

   
   

   1. Log in to your Windows Server.

   2. Open Server Manager from the Start Menu or by typing servermanager in the search bar.

   3. In Server Manager, click Manage in the top-right corner, and then select Add Roles and Features from the dropdown menu.

   Alternatively, you can skip the graphical interface and directly install IIS using PowerShell:

   
   

   Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

2. Select Installation Type

   
   

   In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, you’ll need to select:

   
   

   • Role-based or feature-based installation (this is the default option).

   • Click Next to proceed.

   No PowerShell command is needed for this step since it's part of the wizard.

3. Select Destination Server

   
   

   If you’re installing IIS on the local server, select the server from the server pool. For remote installations, you’ll need to specify the target server.

   
   

   PowerShell equivalent for selecting a remote server:

   
   

   Get-WindowsFeature -ComputerName <ServerName>

   
   

   Replace <ServerName> with the hostname or IP of the target server.

4. Select Server Roles

   
   

   In the wizard, scroll down and check the box for Web Server (IIS). A popup will appear to confirm dependencies; click Add Features.

   
   

   For PowerShell, this step is handled with the following command:

   
   

   Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server -IncludeAllSubFeature

   
   

   The -IncludeAllSubFeature flag ensures that all the necessary subcomponents for IIS are installed.

5. Select Features

   
   

   In the next step, choose any additional features you may need. Commonly used features include:

   
   

   • .NET Framework 4.7 Features (required for ASP.NET applications).

   • Web Management Tools for managing IIS remotely.

   PowerShell command to include specific features like .NET Framework:

   
   

   Install-WindowsFeature -name NET-Framework-Features, Web-Mgmt-Service

6. Confirm Installation Selections

   
   

   Review your selected roles and features. If everything looks correct, click Install. The installation process may take several minutes.

   
   

   To confirm the installation using PowerShell:

   
   

   Get-WindowsFeature | Where-Object {$_.InstallState -eq "Installed"}

7. Verification Post-Installation

   
   

   Once installation is complete, test IIS by opening a browser and navigating to:

   
   

   http://localhost

   
   

   You should see the default IIS welcome page.

   
   

   By using this detailed approach with graphical and command-line methods, you can confidently install IIS on your Windows Server with all required components in place.

8. Configure the default site on IIS

   
   

   Once IIS is installed, the default site is ready to go. By default, this site serves a basic “Welcome to IIS” page. You can access it by entering http://localhost in your web browser.

   
   

   To configure the default site:

   
   

   1. Open IIS Manager from the Start Menu.

   2. Expand the server node, click Sites, and select Default Web Site.

   3. Modify bindings, authentication methods, or directory paths as needed.

1. Testing IIS Installation

   
   

   Ensure IIS is running properly:

   
   

   1. Open your browser and enter http://<server_ip_address>.

   2. You should see the default IIS welcome page. If not, revisit the installation steps.

2. Configuring IIS Using IIS Manager

   
   

   IIS Manager is the control center for your web server. Here’s what you can do:

   
   

   • Add new sites: Configure multiple sites with different bindings.

   • Enable SSL/TLS: Secure your sites with HTTPS using SSL certificates.

   • Set application pools: Optimize performance and isolate applications.

Even with a flawless installation, issues can arise. Let’s address the most common ones:

1. Common Installation Problems

   
   

   • Missing Prerequisites:

     
     

     Ensure all dependencies (e.g., .NET Framework) are installed before adding IIS components.

   • PowerShell Errors During Installation:

     
     

     Verify you’re running PowerShell as an administrator. For example, use:

     
     

     Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

2. Website-Related Issues

   
   

   • Site Not Loading:

     
     

     Check your firewall settings to ensure inbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic is allowed. Additionally, verify the site bindings in IIS Manager.

   • HTTP 500 Errors:

     
     

     Internal server errors often stem from misconfigured application pools. Check that the application pool settings match your application’s requirements (e.g., .NET version).

Installing and configuring IIS on Windows Server is not rocket science. With these simple steps, you can set yourself up for consistent, secure and scalable web applications of all your services. An IIS server configured appropriately keeps your websites and applications running and provides seamless experience to your users.

Now, you can test, configure, and troubleshoot IIS. Believe it or not, in no time, you will be configuring IIS like a pro, tweaking your server for even the most demanding use case. Act now and experience all the advantages of really adjustable web hosting!