Nonexistent Virtual Directory Returns a 403 Error

• Microsoft Internet Information Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you access a virtual directory, you receive a 403 error (access denied error) even though the content does not exist. The GET request should return a 404 error (not found error).

CAUSE

If you created a virtual directory using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and set the access properties to None, if you then delete the directory from the file system itself (through Windows Explorer for example), you will receive the 403 error when you access that URL.

The reason this occurs is because the access permissions of that virtual directory still exist in the IIS metabase. The metabase and the file system do not synchronize with each other.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, open the IIS MMC and check to see if the virtual directory still exists. If it does, delete it to resolve the problem.

NOTE: If you have restarted the computer or performed a net stop w3svc, then the directory will show a red stop sign for an icon, indicating that there is a problem.

Additional query words: IIS Metabase 403 error

Keywords : prodNT4OP
Version : WINNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb