What is IIS for Windows Server?

Step 1

Click the Windows Start button, type ‘PowerShell’, and click ‘Run as Administrator’.

Step 2

Run the following command to install IIS:

Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

You can install optional components at the same time by using a comma-separated list, for example:

Install-WindowsFeature -name Web-Server, Web-ASP -IncludeManagementTools

A complete overview of features you can install alongside IIS in this way can be found in the section ‘Overview of IIS role services and PowerShell names’. The Web-Ftp-Server feature is a separate but related role service and is therefore not listed in that overview.

Step 1

Connect to your Windows Server via Remote Desktop, the VPS console (VPS) or the OpenStack console (OpenStack instance).

Step 2

Click the Windows Start button and then ‘Server Manager’.

Step 3

Then click ‘Add roles and features’.

Step 4

You will now see the ‘Before You Begin’ page. You can choose not to see this page again when adding roles & features in future. Click ‘Next’ after reviewing the points under ‘before you continue’.

Step 5

Under ‘Installation Type’ you can choose between ‘Role-based or feature-based’ and ‘Remote Desktop Services installation’. Choose ‘Role-based or feature-based’ and proceed to the next step.

Roles add software aimed at specific tasks, such as hosting websites, to Windows Servers; features add extra functionality to that software.

Step 6

Next, choose which VPS you want to install on. By default, the VPS on which you’re running the installer will be selected. Click ‘Next’ to continue.

If you use a server pool to install and manage roles from a central server, you’ll see multiple servers here and can select the desired server.

Step 7

Select ‘Web Server (IIS)’ in the list of features.

You’ll immediately see a pop-up window asking whether you want to install the required features for IIS. Click ‘Add Features’ to accept this.

Step 8

Don’t make any changes in the ‘Features’ view and click ‘Next’.

Also skip the introduction page for the Web Server Role (IIS) installation.

In the ‘Role Services’ view, select any optional IIS components or Role Services you wish to install, such as the FTP Server, and click ‘Next’.

Step 9

Optionally tick ‘Restart the destination server automatically if required’ and click ‘Install’ to confirm your choices from the previous steps and install IIS.