webserver

Getting Started with IIS: How to Install the Windows Web Server

Install Windows IIS Web Server in 10 steps

Stef Wauters

— 2 min read
Share
Getting Started with IIS: How to Install the Windows Web Server
  1. Go to the Windows Server manager and click on “ Add Roles and Features”
Screenshot of the Windows Server Manager Dashboard interface. The main panel displays the “Configure this local server” quick-start section with options including “Add roles and features,” “Add other servers to manage,” and “Create a server group.” The left navigation menu shows Dashboard, Local Server, All Servers, and File and Storage Services. Status tiles for File and Storage Services, Local Server, and All Servers are displayed at the bottom.
  1. In the first window, click NextThis screen appears because Windows Server wants to ensure that all necessary requirements and best practices have been checked before a new role or feature is installed. It helps reduce installation errors and improves server security and stability.
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The active window shows the "Before you begin" step, which provides a list of prerequisites before continuing, such as ensuring the Administrator account has a strong password and network settings are configured. The mouse cursor is hovering over the "Next" button at the bottom of the wizard.
  1. We are going to select “Role-based or feature-based installation “ and click on “Next”
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The active window displays the "Select installation type" step. The radio button for "Role-based or feature-based installation" is selected, with a description underneath about configuring a single server by adding roles, role services, and features. The mouse cursor is positioned over the "Next" button at the bottom of the window.
  1.  Select the destination server from the server pool and click on nextIn the Select destination server you can choose on which server the role or feature is going to apply.
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The window is on the "Server Selection" step, showing the "Select destination server" options. The option "Select a server from the server pool" is selected, and a single server named "WIN-22I8P8614EK" with IP address "10.0.2.15" running "Microsoft Windows Server 2025 Standard Evaluation" is highlighted in the Server Pool list. The mouse cursor is hovering over the blue "Next" button at the bottom.
  1.  For the server roles you are going to select “Web Server (IIS)”
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The window is on the "Server Roles" step, displaying a list of available roles to install. The cursor is hovering over the checkbox for "Web Server (IIS)", highlighting it. On the right panel, a brief description explains that Web Server (IIS) provides a reliable, manageable, and scalable Web application infrastructure.
  1. Just click on “Add Features”
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. A pop-up window titled "Add features that are required for Web Server (IIS)?" has appeared over the main wizard. It shows that "[Tools] IIS Management Console" under "Management Tools" is required. The checkbox for "Include management tools (if applicable)" is ticked, and the mouse cursor is hovering over the "Add Features" button.
  1. You will then be redirected to the “Server Roles” tab, where you can click “Next.”
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The window is on the "Server Roles" step, where the checkbox for "Web Server (IIS)" is now successfully checked. The mouse cursor is hovering over the blue "Next" button at the bottom right to proceed with the configuration.
  1. The default “Role Services” are already enabled in this menu. You can change this later if you wish. Click Next to continue.These options enable specific IIS web server features like serving web pages, logging activity, compression, and security controls. For most websites, just enable the basic HTTP features and any authentication/security options you actually need.
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The window is on the "Role Services" step under the Web Server Role (IIS) configuration. A tree view of available role services is displayed, showing default selections checked under "Common HTTP Features" (such as Default Document, Directory Browsing, HTTP Errors, and Static Content), "Health and Diagnostics" (HTTP Logging), and "Performance" (Static Content Compression). On the right side, a description panel explains the purpose of the Web Server role. The mouse cursor is hovering over the "Next" button at the bottom of the wizard window.
  1. Finalize the IIS Installation and click on install
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The window is on the "Confirmation" step, displaying the header "Confirm installation selections". A central summary box lists the selected roles and services to be installed, including "Web Server (IIS)" with items like Static Content, Default Document, Directory Browsing, HTTP Errors, and Request Filtering. The mouse cursor is hovering over the "Install" button in the bottom right corner.
  1. View Installation Results and CloseThe installation will run in the background
A screenshot of the "Add Roles and Features Wizard" in Windows Server Manager. The active window has moved to the final "Results" step, displaying the header "Installation progress". A progress bar indicates that feature installation has started on the server "WIN-22I8P8614EK". The main window details the items being configured for the Web Server (IIS) role, including Common HTTP Features and Security. The mouse cursor is hovering over the "Close" button at the bottom right.
  1. When the installation is done, you can open the IIS Manager via the search bar
A screenshot of the Windows Server Manager Dashboard background with the Windows Start Menu search overlay active. The user has typed "iis" into the search box. The "Best match" result shows "Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager", with options displayed in the right preview pane including "Open", "Run as administrator", and "Open file location". The mouse cursor is hovering over the main search result.
  1. Once the application opens, you are ready to start configuring your server.
A screenshot of the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager application window open over the Server Manager Dashboard. The active window displays the "Start Page" for Microsoft Internet Information Services 10. The left "Connections" pane shows the local server connection node, and a tooltip for "http://localhost/" appears next to the cursor. The main pane is divided into panels for Recent connections, Connection tasks, Online resources, and an IIS News frame at the bottom.

Read more