Error Message: HTTP/1.0 403 Access Forbidden

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Internet Information Server versions 2.0 and 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to access the Internet Information Server (IIS) from a browser, you may get the following error message:

   HTTP/1.0 403 Access Forbidden 

CAUSE

If the Directory Browsing Allowed option is clear (not selected) in Internet Service Manager WWW Service Properties Directories, and the Enable Default Document option is selected, you will get the above error message.

Also, the default document listed has a different name than the actual default document file, for example, the default document name listed is Default.htm, and the actual file is Default.html.

WORKAROUND

Select the Directory Browsing Allowed option, or modify either the default document name listed in Internet Service Manager or the actual default document file name to ensure that they match.

Keywords          : iiswww kberrmsg
Version           : WinNT:2.0,3.0
Platform          : winnt
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbworkaround