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Install and Configure IIS (Internet Information Services) on a Windows VPS

Last updated on Feb 13, 2025

Internet Information Services (IIS) is a web server for hosting websites, applications, and APIs on Windows Server. This guide will walk you through installing and configuring IIS on a Windows VPS.

📌 Prerequisites

  • A Windows Server VPS (2016, 2019, or 2022) from Voltichost

  • Administrator access

  • A static IP or domain name (optional but recommended)

1️⃣ Install IIS on Windows Server

  1. Open Server Manager (Win + S, type "Server Manager", press Enter).

  2. Click Manage → Add Roles and Features.

  3. Select Role-based or feature-based installation → Click Next.

  4. Select your server → Click Next.

  5. Scroll down and check Web Server (IIS) → Click Next.

  6. Click Next again, then click Install.

✅ IIS is now installed!

2️⃣ Verify IIS is Running

  1. Open Run (Win + R), type:

    inetmgr

    Press Enter to open the IIS Manager.

  2. Expand your server name on the left panel.

  3. Open a web browser and enter:

    http://localhost

    If IIS is running, you will see the IIS default welcome page.

✅ Your IIS server is now running.

3️⃣ Configure a Website in IIS

  1. Open IIS Manager (inetmgr).

  2. In the left panel, right-click Sites → Add Website.

  3. Enter:

    • Site Name: ExampleWebsite

    • Physical Path: Select a folder where your website files are stored (e.g., C:\inetpub\wwwroot\example)

    • Binding Type: HTTP

    • Port: 80

    • IP Address: Select your VPS IP

  4. Click OK.

✅ Your website is now hosted in IIS.

4️⃣ Open Port 80 in Windows Firewall

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall (Win + R, type wf.msc, press Enter).

  2. Click Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules → New Rule.

  3. Select Port, then click Next.

  4. Choose TCP, enter 80, then click Next.

  5. Select Allow the connection, then click Next.

  6. Apply to Domain, Private, and Public networks.

  7. Name it IIS HTTP Port 80 and click Finish.

✅ Your website is now accessible from the internet.

5️⃣ (Optional) Enable HTTPS with an SSL Certificate

To enable HTTPS, you need an SSL certificate. You can use a free Let’s Encrypt SSL or a paid certificate.

  1. Open IIS Manager.

  2. Click Server Certificates (under the Features panel).

  3. Click Create Self-Signed Certificate (or import an SSL certificate).

  4. Go to Sites → Your Website → Bindings.

  5. Click Add, select HTTPS, choose your certificate, and click OK.

✅ Your site is now secured with HTTPS.

6️⃣ Restart IIS and Test

To restart IIS, open Command Prompt (Admin) and run:

iisreset

Now, visit your VPS IP or domain name in a browser:

http://your-vps-ip

If using HTTPS:

https://your-domain.com

✅ Your IIS web server is fully set up!

🎉 Conclusion

You've successfully installed and configured IIS on your Windows VPS! You can now host websites, applications, and APIs with ease. 🚀

For more assistance, contact VolticHost Support.