How to Make Your Computer a Web Server

Microsoft Windows makes it easy to set up your computer as a Web server.

Web servers host Web pages, applications, images and media files, delivering them through the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Servers also have the ability to receive content from users, most commonly through the submission of Web forms or the uploading of files. Although most Web servers are found in managed hosting environments, where hundreds or thousands of servers are coordinated from one location, it is possible to configure your computer to achieve the same result. Software pre-installed with Windows makes the process quick and easy.

Instructions

1. Open the Programs utility in Windows. Click the Windows "Start" button, select "Settings" and then click "Control Panel." In Windows XP, double-click the icon labeled "Add or Remove Programs." In Windows Vista and Windows 7, double-click the "Programs and Features" icon.

2. Click the menu option labeled "Add/Remove Windows Components" in Windows XP. This option is labeled "Turn Windows features on or off" in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

3. Enable Internet Information Services (IIS) in Windows XP. If you use Windows Vista or Windows 7, skip to the next step. Locate the "Internet Information Services (IIS)" option and check the box next to it. Next, click the "Details" button and check all of the options listed on the following screen. Click "OK," and then click "Next" to enable IIS on your computer.

4. Enable IIS in Windows Vista or Windows 7. Windows XP users may skip this step. Locate the "Internet Information Services (IIS)" option and check the box next to it. Click the "+" icon to the left of the box to expand it. Do the same for each subfolder and check all of the listed options. When finished, click "OK" to enable IIS on your computer.

5. Add content to your server. IIS generally sets up its root folder at the following location: C:\Inetpub\. Web pages sit within the root folder's "wwwroot" directory. Copy your website files to these folders to begin serving them.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to host Web content using non-Microsoft technology, use the Apache HTTP Server instead. Go to apache.org, click the "HTTP Server" link, and then select "Download." Save the Win32 binary file to your computer, then double-click the file to launch the installer program and follow the on-screen prompts. Installation generally takes just minutes.

References

• Microsoft Windows XP: Installing IIS
• Learn That: Set up Internet Information Services (IIS) on Windows XP
• How-To Geek: How to install IIS on Windows 7 or Vista