How to Enable IIS on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 20, 2025

If you’re a web developer, IT professional, or simply experimenting with local web hosting, you’ll eventually need IIS (Internet Information Services). IIS is Microsoft’s built-in web server that allows you to host websites, test applications, and run web-based services right on your Windows 11 machine.

But here’s the thing: IIS is not enabled by default in Windows 11. You need to turn it on manually. Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through how to enable IIS on Windows 11 step by step, explain the different methods, and provide troubleshooting tips if things don’t go smoothly.

📝 Key Takeaways

  • IIS (Internet Information Services) is Microsoft’s native web server for Windows.

  • By default, IIS is disabled in Windows 11—you need to enable it manually.

  • You can enable IIS using Windows Features, PowerShell, or DISM commands.

  • After enabling, you can verify by visiting http://localhost/ in your browser.

What is IIS in Windows 11?

IIS (Internet Information Services) is a flexible, secure, and manageable web server created by Microsoft. It supports:

  • ✅ Hosting websites and APIs.

  • ✅ Running ASP.NET, PHP, and static HTML apps.

  • ✅ Testing web apps locally before deploying them to a live server.

  • ✅ Secure web hosting with HTTPS, authentication, and logging.

Why Enable IIS on Windows 11?

You may want IIS if you:

  • 🔹 Develop web applications and need a local testing environment.

  • 🔹 Want to learn server administration or web hosting.

  • 🔹 Run internal apps for your business network.

  • 🔹 Need to practice deployment before using cloud servers like Azure or AWS.

Methods to Enable IIS on Windows 11

There are three main ways to enable IIS:

  1. Windows Features (GUI method) – beginner-friendly.

  2. PowerShell – quick for advanced users.

  3. DISM Command Line – for automation and scripting.

Method 1: Enable IIS via Windows Features (Graphical Method)

This is the easiest way for most users.

  1. Press Win + S, type Windows Features, and select Turn Windows features on or off.

  2. In the Windows Features window, scroll down and check Internet Information Services.

  3. Expand the node to select additional services:

    • Web Management Tools → for IIS Manager.

    • World Wide Web Services → for hosting websites.

  4. Click OK.

  5. Windows will install IIS. Once complete, click Close.

👉 To verify, open a browser and type:

http://localhost/

If IIS is installed, you’ll see the default IIS welcome page.

Method 2: Enable IIS with PowerShell

If you prefer command-line tools:

  1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.

  2. Run this command:

    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-WebServerRole -All

  3. Wait for the installation to finish, then restart your computer.

👉 Test by opening http://localhost/ in a browser.

Method 3: Enable IIS Using DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)

DISM is useful for automation or batch scripts.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type:

    dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:IIS-WebServerRole /all /norestart

  3. Once complete, restart your computer.

👉 Again, verify by visiting http://localhost/.

Configuring IIS After Installation

Once IIS is enabled, you can customize it:

  • Open IIS Manager

    • Press Win + S, type IIS Manager, and open it.

  • Add a New Website

    1. In IIS Manager, right-click Sites → Add Website.

    2. Enter a site name, physical path (folder where files are stored), and binding (port 80 for HTTP).

    3. Click OK to start hosting.

  • Enable Additional Features

    • PHP/ASP.NET support

    • SSL certificates (HTTPS)

    • Logging and monitoring

Common Issues When Enabling IIS

❓ IIS Manager not found?

Make sure IIS Management Console was checked during installation.

❓ Port 80 already in use?

Another app (like Apache or WAMP) may be using it. Change the binding port in IIS Manager.

❓ Website not loading?

  • Restart IIS with:

    iisreset

  • Check firewall settings.

Comparison of Methods

Method Difficulty Best For
Windows Features GUI Easy Beginners, casual users
PowerShell Medium Developers, quick setup
DISM Command Line Medium IT admins, automation

Tips for Using IIS on Windows 11

  • ✅ Use IIS Manager for GUI-based administration.

  • ✅ Always run as Administrator when enabling features.

  • ✅ For security, disable unnecessary IIS features you don’t need.

  • ✅ Use localhost or a custom host entry in hosts file for testing multiple sites.

Conclusion

Enabling IIS on Windows 11 is simple once you know how. Whether you prefer the GUI method, PowerShell, or DISM, you can have IIS running in just a few minutes. Once enabled, you can host and test web apps locally, configure sites in IIS Manager, and even simulate production-like environments for learning or development.

By mastering IIS, you’ll unlock the ability to turn your Windows 11 PC into a powerful local web server.

❓ FAQs About IIS on Windows 11

1. Is IIS available on all versions of Windows 11?

No, IIS is available on Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions—not on Windows 11 Home by default.

2. How do I check if IIS is already installed?

Open a browser and type http://localhost/. If the IIS welcome page appears, it’s installed.

3. Can IIS run PHP or MySQL-based sites?

Yes, with additional configuration. You’ll need PHP runtime and MySQL database installed separately.

4. Does enabling IIS slow down my PC?

No, IIS runs in the background and only uses resources when hosting sites.

5. What’s the difference between IIS and Apache?

IIS is Microsoft’s native web server, while Apache is open-source. Both serve the same purpose but differ in ecosystem and configuration style.

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