Removing Excessive Files from Application Pool

We keep on debugging our Web Applications with IIS, however over a period of time we have multiple web applications under the Default Application Pool. As a result we end with far too many applications pointing to an Application Pool than actually intended.

To resolve this, go to Sites, expand it and go to Default Web Site, and on the extreme right end you’ll see an option on View Applications, select it.

This wil give you complete list of Websites under Default Web Site, which are associated to various Application Pools.
Select them individually and delete it.

Configure IIS 5.1 to work with MVC 3.0

For IIS versions greater than 5.1 configuring MVC will be taken care by the installer itself, however for IIS 5.1 its a bit tricky.
After struggling for hours I was finally able to make MVC 3 work on IIS 5.1 on Windows XP SP3.
Here are the simple steps to make it work for you as well.
1. Open IIS using Control Panel->Administrative Tools -> Internet Information Services.

or open from Start->Run

2. Drill down to the MVC website virtual folder hosted on IIS.

3. Select the folder and right click and select the properties.

4. Open the Virtual Directory Tab and press the Configuration button under Application Settings

5. Locate the Extension .aspx and copy its executable path.

6. Under Application Configuration, go to Mappings Tab, and press Add

7. Paste the executable path as copied earlier in the Executable field
8. In Extension textbox, enter ".*"
9. Ensure that the Script Engine and Check if File Exists are unchecked.
10. You'll notice that the OK button is disabled, go back to the extension tab and alas, the OK button becomes active.
11. Press OK and exit
12. Restart IIS
13. Browse your MVC application
14. Congratulations you've finished hosting your MVC 3 Application in IIS 5.1

Error : Directory Listing Denied This Virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed.

This is a common Error frequented by many of us when we try to configure the IIS to work for our websites. This error indicates that the IIS could not locate the intial load document of your website or web application. This is generally due to our oversight while configuring IIS.
By default, the following documents are listed in IIS.

• Default.asp
• Default.htm
• index.htm
• iisstart.asp

To fix this error, we need to follow the following steps.

1. Open IIS via Control Panel or by entering "inetmgr" at run(Start).

2. Open your Computer details(default local Computer)

3. Expand "Web Sites" -> "Default Web Site"

4. Locate your project folder under this and right-click and select properties

5. Locate the "Documents" tab under these properties.

6. Under the "Enable Default Document" section, press the ADD button.

7. In the new pop-up window enter the name of your startup document with its extension.(Login.aspx)

8. Select the newly added value in Default Document section and set it priority level by using the arrows on the left side on the window.

9. Press the OK button and refresh IIS.

10. Right click your project and select browse.

Congratulations, your website works.