Highlights
- IIS Manager is like a control panel for running Windows websites that helps you easily manage your website, apps, and server settings in one place.
- You can open the IIS Manager using the Start Menu, Run Command, Control Panel, Server Manager, Windows PowerShell, Administrative Tools Shortcut, IIS Configuration File, Task Manager, Windows Administrative Command.
Welcome to the backstage of your web server!
Just as a director oversees every detail of a stage production, IIS Manager is your command center for managing and fine-tuning your web server in Windows. With this powerful tool, you can direct traffic, manage site content, managing web server configurations and web applications on Windows servers, and ensure your server performs like a well-rehearsed show.
This guide will walk you through the different methods for launching IIS Manager, allowing you to manage your web server and its resources effectively.
Let’s get started!
Also Read: How to Create a User in RDP for Windows Server?
9 Methods to Launch Windows Internet Information (IIS) Manager
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Method 1: Launching IIS Manager Using the Start Menu Method 2: Launching IIS Manager Using Run Command Method 3: Launching IIS Manager Using Control Panel Method 4: Launching IIS Manager Using Server Manager Method 5: Launching IIS Manager Using Windows PowerShell Method 6: Launching IIS Manager Using Administrative Tools Shortcut Method 7: Launching IIS Manager Using IIS Configuration File Method 8: Launching IIS Manager Using Task Manager Method 9: Launching IIS Manager Using Windows Administrative Command |
Method 1: Launching IIS Manager Using the Start Menu
The first & most simple method to launch the IIS Manager is as follows:
➔ Click on the Start button or press the Windows 
key on your keyboard.
➔ Type ‘IIS’ or ‘Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager’ into the search bar.
➔ Click on ‘Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager’ from the search results to launch the application.
That’s it! Your IIS Manager will open on the server!
Also Read: How to Fix the Incorrect Password Issue on RDP?
Method 2: Launching IIS Manager Using Run Command
The Run Command offers a quick and efficient way to launch applications and tools on Windows. You can open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager using a simple command without navigating through menus or searching for the application.
Let’s find out how you can access it!
➔ Press ‘Windows Key + R’ to open the Run dialog.
➔ Type ‘inetmgr’ and click the ‘OK’ button.
➔ IIS Manager will open, allowing you to manage your web server.
Also Read: How to Add a Subdomain in IIS Manager?
Method 3: Launching IIS Manager Using Control Panel
The Control Panel provides a straightforward way to access the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. By navigating through the Control Panel’s administrative tools, you can easily launch IIS Manager to manage web server settings and applications.
This method is particularly useful for users who prefer the traditional Windows interface or are accustomed to using Control Panel for system management tasks.
Let’s get started with the process!
➔ Open the Control Panel from the Start menu or by searching for it.
➔ Once you open it, click on ‘System & Security.’
➔ In that, click on ‘Administrative Tools’
➔ Double-click ‘Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager’ to launch it.
Also Read: How to Check Users Logged in Remote Desktop?
Method 4: Launching IIS Manager Using Server Manager
Server Manager is a management tool for Windows Server that provides a centralized interface for configuring and managing server roles and features. If you’re working on a Windows Server environment, you can easily access Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager directly through Server Manager.
This method is especially useful for administrators already using Server Manager for other server management tasks.
Let’s begin with the process!
➔ Open Server Manager from the Start menu or by searching for it.
➔ In Server Manager, go to ‘Tools.’
➔ In that, select ‘Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.’
➔ The IIS Manager will open and be ready for you to manage your server.
Also Read: How to Change Password on Remote Desktop?
Method 5: Launching IIS Manager Using Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell offers a powerful and versatile way to launch applications, including Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. By using PowerShell, you can quickly access IIS Manager with a simple command, streamlining your workflow and integrating with scripts and automation tasks.
This method is particularly useful for administrators who prefer using command-line tools or need to incorporate IIS Manager launch commands into their PowerShell scripts.
➔ Press Windows Key + X and select ‘Windows PowerShell’ from the menu.
➔ In that, type the command ‘Start-Process inetmgr’ and press Enter.
➔ Your IIS Manager will open if it is installed on the server.
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Method 6: Launching IIS Manager Using Administrative Tools Shortcut
The Administrative Tools Shortcut provides quick and direct access to IIS Manager from the Start menu. This method is particularly useful if you frequently need to manage server settings and prefer navigating through a centralized administrative interface.
You can launch IIS Manager efficiently without additional commands or configurations by following a few simple steps.
➔ Click on the Start button, press the Windows key & search for ‘Windows Administrative Tools’ from the Start menu & click on it.
➔ Click ‘Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager’ to launch the application.
Also Read: How to check Reboot and Shutdown logs in Windows server?
Method 7: Launching IIS Manager Using IIS Configuration File
You can use the IIS configuration directory if you prefer accessing IIS Manager directly from its executable file. This method involves locating and running the IIS Manager executable from the system folder where it is installed.
It’s a quick way to launch IIS Manager if other methods are unavailable or you are comfortable navigating the file system.
➔ Open File Explorer and navigate to the IIS configuration directory: ‘C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\.’
➔ Locate the ‘inetmgr’ file and double-click it to open IIS Manager.
Method 8: Launching IIS Manager Using Task Manager
You can use the IIS configuration directory if you prefer accessing IIS Manager directly from its executable file. This method involves locating and running the IIS Manager executable from the system folder where it is installed.
It’s a quick way to launch IIS Manager if other methods are unavailable or you are comfortable navigating the file system.
Let’s get started!
➔ To open the Task Manager, Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’
➔ Click on ‘File’ and select ‘Run new task.’
➔ Type ‘inetmgr’ and click ‘OK.’
➔ IIS Manager will open if installed.
Also Read: A Guide to Fix RDP Error: An Internal Error has Occurred
Method 9: Launching IIS Manager Using Windows Administrative Command
The Windows Administrative Command is a quick and efficient way to launch the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager with elevated privileges. Using this method, you can directly open IIS Manager from an administrative command prompt or Windows Terminal, ensuring you have the necessary permissions to effectively manage your web server configurations.
This approach is especially useful for administrators who frequently work with command-line tools and need to access IIS Manager rapidly.
➔ To open Windows Command, Press Windows Key and search for ‘Command Prompt’ & click on the Command Prompt application.
➔ In that, type ‘start inetmgr’ and press ‘Enter.’
➔ IIS Manager will open if it is installed on your server.
Also Read: How to restart the RDP without rebooting the windows server?
Conclusion
Utilizing any of the methods outlined in this guide allows you to easily access IIS Manager regardless of your preferred interface or access point. Whether through the Start Menu, PowerShell, Command Prompt, or any other method, each approach ensures you can effectively oversee your server’s settings, websites, and applications.