How to Install IIS and Configure a Web Server in XP

Good for quick and dirty alpha testing

Internet Information Services or more popularly known asIISis a lightweight web server process included in the XP installer disc. IIS on XP is the ideal choice for testing native Microsoft web applications like ASP and .Net.

By default, IIS is not installed on XP so you will need to get your XP installer in order to install it. Pop it in your CD drive and then wait for the XP installer window to appear. ClickInstall optional Windows components:

When theWindows Components Wizardappears, check the box next toInternet Information Services (IIS)and click Next:

Wait until the files are copied then clickFinishto install the IIS component. After installing it should be under theControl Panel > Administrative Tools. Click “Internet Information Services” to open the IIS manager window.

In the IIS window you should be able to see your computer’s name and under it the web sites hosted on that computer. By default it will only be a singleDefault Web Site.

To add web files to that web folder, open the folderC:Inetpubwwwroot(assuming drive C is where you installed Windows). Put your HTML files here along with their required images and files. To set a default page, save anindex.htmfile inside the wwwroot folder:

htm page as the default page:

If you use a lot of ASP and .Net web applications, IIS is a good testing platform on Windows XP. Since XP has a limited number of allowed connections, don’t expect it to be able to handle more than 10 HTTP client connections (maybe even less if you use XP for other shared connections like directory sharing and database hosting).

It is useful only for quick and dirty alpha testing, so if you want to do a robust testing, use a real Windows Server (not XP) with IIS instead. Enjoy!

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

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How to Install IIS and Configure a Web Server in XP#

How to Install IIS and Configure a Web Server in XP