How to Install IIS on Windows Server

If you’re looking to serve websites or web apps from your Windows Server, installing Internet Information Services (IIS) is your first step. Despite being built into Windows Server, IIS isn’t active by default, so setting it up requires just a few clicks or commands.

Whether you’re managing a single machine via Server Manager or automating setups with PowerShell, this guide walks you through the process clearly and efficiently. Without wasting further time, let’s get your server web-ready.

Here’s How to Install IIS via Server Manager?

1. Open Server Manager

• Click on the Start menu and choose Server Manager.
• In the Server Manager, click on Manage and choose Add Roles and Features.

2. Add roles and features

• Now, the Add Roles and Features Wizard will appear. Here, click Next to continue.
• Choose the Role-based or feature-based installation option and click Next.

3. Select your server

• Select server from the server pool and click Next.
• On the Select server roles screen, check Web Server (IIS). Add the required features when prompted.
• In the Select features section, include optional components like ASP.NET or .NET Extensibility as needed.
• Finally, click Next, review your selections, then hit Install.

4, Verify the installation

• When installation completes, click Close, then verify by opening a browser and navigating to https://localhost, you should see the default IIS welcome page. .

How do I Install IIS on Windows Server via PowerShell or DISM?

1. PowerShell method

Make sure to run the following command in Powershell:

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

To add more features like ASP.NET or management tools, run the following command:

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server, Web-ASP, Web-Mgmt-Tools, Web-WebSockets

2. DISM method

Make sure to run the following command:

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:IIS-WebServerRole /all
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:IIS-ASPNET45 /all
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:IIS-WebSockets /all

These options are great for automation and quick rollouts.

Why You Might Need IIS?

IIS isn’t just for hosting a website, it’s also useful for testing applications, serving internal dashboards, or running containerized web services. Installing IIS gives you a flexible platform to deploy ASP.NET apps, manage SSL certificates, and even reverse proxy microservices when paired with modules like ARR (Application Request Routing) or URL Rewrite. For advanced HTTP routing or legacy support, IIS remains a powerful tool in your Windows Server toolkit.

What Should You Do Next?

Once IIS is active, you can begin configuring websites, bindings, and SSL. If you’re managing older tools, you might find this helpful: Install WMIC again on Windows 11 25H2. For Intune-managed servers, check out troubleshooting options like Intune not showing devices or fixing Intune Management Extension service issues. For those looking for additional Windows Server guides, we also have covered how to set up DNS, how to open ports in Firewall, and how to boot Windows Server into Safe Mode. Also, don’t forget to check our guide on how to check who is logged In on Windows Server.

For secure, always-on remote access to IIS apps, learn how to install DirectAccess.

FAQs related to installing IIS on Windows Server