How to Install IIS on Windows Server

Internet Information Services (IIS) is a powerful, flexible, and scalable web server from Microsoft. It allows you to host and manage web applications and websites on Windows Server. Installing IIS on a Windows Server is straightforward, and in this guide, we will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Prerequisites

Before you start the installation process, ensure you have the following:

• A Windows Server machine (Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, or 2022).
• Administrator privileges on the server.

Step 1: Open Server Manager

1. Click on the Start menu and select Server Manager.
2. In the Server Manager window, click on Manage in the top-right corner and then choose Add Roles and Features.

Step 2: Add Roles and Features

1. The Add Roles and Features Wizard will appear. Click Next to continue.
2. Choose the Role-based or feature-based installation option and click Next.

Step 3: Select the Server

1. Select the appropriate server from the server pool. If you only have one server, it will be selected by default. Click Next.

Step 4: Select the IIS Role

1. In the Select server roles window, scroll down and check the box for Web Server (IIS).
2. A prompt will appear asking if you want to add features that are required for IIS. Click Add Features.
3. Click Next to continue.

Step 5: Select IIS Features

1. In the Select features window, you can choose additional IIS features. For a basic installation, you can leave the default features selected. However, if you want more options (like FTP, management tools, etc.), you can select them here.
2. Once done, click Next.

Step 6: Confirm Installation Selections

1. Review your selections. If everything looks good, click Install to begin the installation process.
2. The installation process will take a few minutes to complete. Once finished, click Close.

Step 7: Verify IIS Installation

1. To verify that IIS is successfully installed, open your web browser and type http://localhost in the address bar.
2. If IIS was installed correctly, you should see the default IIS welcome page indicating that the web server is up and running.

Step 8: Access the IIS Manager

1. Open the Start menu, type IIS Manager, and press Enter.
2. The Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager will open, allowing you to manage and configure your web server.

Step 9: Configure Your Web Server

You can now start configuring IIS to host your websites and applications. Some basic configurations include:

• Creating a new website.
• Configuring bindings (port, IP, domain).
• Setting up security options.
• Installing SSL certificates for HTTPS.

Conclusion

With IIS installed on your Windows Server, you now have a robust web server to host your websites and web applications. Whether you're hosting a simple site or building enterprise-level applications, IIS offers many features to ensure scalability, security, and performance.

By following the steps above, you can quickly set up IIS and get your server ready for web hosting.