If you’re a web developer, IT professional, or just someone curious about hosting a website on your computer, installing IIS (Internet Information Services) on Windows 11 is a great place to start. IIS is Microsoft’s built-in web server that lets you host and test websites directly on your PC — no third-party software required.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about installing IIS on Windows 11, step by step.
What Is IIS in Windows 11?
Internet Information Services (IIS) is Microsoft’s official web server software. It allows you to host websites, web applications, and services directly on your Windows machine. Think of IIS as your personal mini-internet server — it serves web pages to users (or yourself) when they visit your local or public IP.
Why Install IIS?
Here’s why you might want to install IIS on Windows 11:
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To host and test websites locally before deploying online.
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To run ASP.NET or PHP web applications.
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For web development and debugging.
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To create a private intranet or testing environment.
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For learning and training in server management.
System Requirements for IIS on Windows 11
Before installation, ensure your PC meets these requirements:
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Windows 11 Home, Pro, or Enterprise edition.
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At least 4 GB RAM (recommended 8 GB+ for hosting).
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Minimum 2 GB free disk space.
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Administrator privileges.
How to Check If IIS Is Already Installed
Before installing, check if IIS is already active:
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Open your web browser.
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Type http://localhost in the address bar.
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If you see the “Welcome to IIS” page, it’s already installed.
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If not, follow the steps below to install it.
Method 1: Install IIS Using Control Panel
This is the easiest way to install IIS on Windows 11.
Step 1: Open Windows Features
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Press Windows + R, type
optionalfeatures, and hit Enter. -
This opens the Windows Features dialog.
Step 2: Locate Internet Information Services
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Scroll down until you find Internet Information Services.
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Expand it by clicking the plus (+) icon to view its subcomponents.
Step 3: Select IIS Components
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Check the main Internet Information Services box.
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For full features, expand and enable:
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Web Management Tools → IIS Management Console
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World Wide Web Services → Application Development Features
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Security (optional, for advanced setups)
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Step 4: Install and Wait
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Click OK to begin installation.
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Windows will enable IIS components — this might take a few minutes.
Step 5: Verify Installation
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Once complete, open your web browser.
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Type http://localhost.
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You should see the IIS Welcome page — meaning it’s working perfectly.
Method 2: Install IIS via Windows PowerShell
For tech-savvy users, PowerShell offers a faster way.
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Open PowerShell as Administrator.
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Type the following command:
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Press Enter and wait for the process to finish.
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Once done, restart your PC.
To confirm IIS is installed, type:
If you see [X] Web-Server, IIS is active.
Method 3: Install IIS Using Command Prompt (DISM Tool)
You can also use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
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Run this command:
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Wait until the process completes.
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Restart your system.
How to Access the IIS Manager After Installation
Once installed:
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Press Windows + S, type IIS, and select Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
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The IIS Manager dashboard will open.
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From here, you can add websites, configure ports, manage SSL, and more.
How to Verify IIS Is Running
You can verify using any of these methods:
✅ Browser Test:
Open your browser and visit http://localhost.
✅ Task Manager:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Services tab, and check if W3SVC (World Wide Web Publishing Service) is running.
✅ Command Line:
In PowerShell, type:
If the status is Running, IIS is active.
How to Host a Simple Website Using IIS
Let’s set up a basic test site:
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Create a folder, e.g.,
C:\MyWebsite. -
Inside it, create a file named index.html with this content:
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Open IIS Manager → Right-click Sites → Add Website.
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Set:
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Site name: MyWebsite
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Physical path:
C:\MyWebsite -
Port: 80
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Click OK.
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Now visit http://localhost — your site should appear!
How to Enable or Disable IIS Features
To manage specific components:
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Open Windows Features again.
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Expand Internet Information Services.
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Check or uncheck features (like FTP, CGI, or WebDAV) as needed.
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Click OK to apply.
Common Issues and Fixes During IIS Installation
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| IIS not showing in Windows Features | Ensure you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. |
| “localhost” not working | Check that W3SVC service is running. |
| Port 80 already in use | Change port in IIS site bindings. |
| Missing Management Console | Enable IIS Management Tools in Windows Features. |
How to Uninstall IIS from Windows 11
If you no longer need IIS:
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Open Windows Features (
optionalfeatures). -
Uncheck Internet Information Services.
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Click OK → Wait for removal.
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Restart your PC.
Tips to Optimize IIS for Better Performance
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Use compression to speed up website delivery.
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Enable output caching for static content.
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Limit unnecessary modules.
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Set logging to minimal if you don’t need detailed reports.
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Use SSL certificates for secure connections.
Conclusion
Installing IIS on Windows 11 is quick, easy, and opens the door to countless web development possibilities. Whether you’re hosting a personal site, running a local server for testing, or learning server management, IIS provides all the tools you need — built right into Windows.
FAQs
1. Is IIS available on all Windows 11 editions?
No. It’s available on Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions — not on Windows 11 Home by default.
2. Can I host PHP or ASP.NET websites on IIS?
Yes! You can install PHP Manager or enable ASP.NET features in IIS.
3. How do I start or stop IIS services?
Open PowerShell and type:
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iisreset /start— to start -
iisreset /stop— to stop
4. Does IIS require an internet connection?
No, IIS can run entirely offline for local testing.
5. Can I use IIS and Apache together?
Yes, but on different ports to avoid conflicts (e.g., IIS on port 80, Apache on 8080).