Setting up WebDAV in Windows 7

Written by Alan Saturday, 9 October 2010 08:00

WebDAV has been around for quite a while, but it’s actually built into all versions of Windows 7.  In the past, most users first had to install IIS.  Setting it up is a little geeky, but it’s not as hard as you may think.  Let’s demystify the setup process in a few easy steps.

1. In Windows 7 you can click Start and search for Windows Features.  Then place a check in the box for WebDAV Publishing under Internet Information Services => World Wide Web Services => Common HTTP Features.  If you are using an older version of Windows you will first need to install IIS. You will also need to enable Internet Information Services, IIS Management Console, and Windows Authentication.

2. Now you need to open port 80 on your router and firewall.  To open a port in Windows Firewall you can follow these steps.  Routers vary by brand and I’d recommend looking online for instructions for yours.

3. Start IIS Manager by clicking Start and typing IIS Manager into Search.

4. Now click Default Web Site and double-click Authentication.

5. Now enable Anonymous Authentication and enable Windows Authentication.

6. Double-click WebDAV Authorization and click Edit and choose Allow for either All Users, or at least, Administrator.

7. Now click on WebDAV Authoring Tools and the click Enable on the right.

8. Now double-click the Authentication icon under Default Web Browser and enable Windows Authentication.

9. You can now open a Command Prompt and type

net use * http://localhost/

As you can see in the above screen capture, it assigned Drive U to my WebDav  server (yours may vary). Now if I click Start => Computer I will see the U Drive as a mapped Network Drive.

10. WebDAV is now running.  To add locations Right-Click on Default Web Site and choose Add Virtual Directory.

That’s all for setting up the drive.  If you want to learn more there’s a tremendous amount of helpful information on WebDAV under IIS 7 at http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/357/webdav-for-iis-70/ if you want to learn more.

Alan

Alan is the owner and editor of Making Windows Easy. In addition to writing about technology he is also an avid distance runner and hiker. Read More

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Related posts:

1. Fixing Windows 7 – Samba Issues
2. Change Drive Letter in Windows 7
3. The Windows.old File
4. Open A Port In Windows Firewall
5. Rebuilding Windows Media Player Library

3 Comments

1. Making Windows Easy's Top 10 Articles Of 2010 | Making Windows Easy   |  Saturday, 01 January 2011 at 10:19 am

   [...] 10. Setting Up WebDAV In Windows 7 [...]
2. shahar   |  Saturday, 14 April 2012 at 3:14 am

   so many steps are missing.

   
3. Gerry   |  Sunday, 15 April 2012 at 3:51 pm

   Alan
   This was EXTREMELY helpful to me – and got me over the hump during a very frustrating afternoon.