I've encountered an error deploying a site to a server. When trying to load the home page, or access authentication on the new site in IIS, I get the error:
Config Error: This configuration section cannot be used at this path.
This happens when the section is locked at a parent level. Locking is
either by default (overrideModeDefault="Deny"), or set explicitly by a
location tag with overrideMode="Deny" or the legacy
allowOverride="false".
More detail can be found here, in Scenario 7 matches my hex error code.
The solution given on the linked site above is to set Allow for overrideModeDefault in the section mentioned in my error, in the applicationHost.config file. In my case, under Security in system.webServer. But if I look at the applicationHost.config on my local computer, where the site is properly deployed already, that section is set to Deny.
If this solution is correct, how is my local instance running just fine with the same web.config? According to my applicationHost.config, that section should be locked, but it's not. I'd prefer to not change the applicationHost.config file, because there are many other sites running on that server. Is there another solution?
I had the same problem. Don't remember where I found it on the web, but here is what I did:
Click "Start button"
in the search box, enter "Turn windows features on or off"
in the features window, Click: "Internet Information Services"
Click: "World Wide Web Services"
Click: "Application Development Features"
Check (enable) the features. I checked all but CGI.
btw, I'm using Windows 7. Many comments over the years have certified this works all the way up to Windows 10 and Server 2019, as well.
You could also use the IIS Manager to edit those settings.
Care of this Learn IIS article:
Using the Feature Delegation from the root of IIS:
You can then control each of machine-level read/write permissions, which will otherwise give you the overrideMode="Deny" errors.
For Windows Server 2012 and IIS 8, the procedure is similar.
The Web Server (IIS) and Application Server should be installed, and you should also have the optional Web Server (IIS) Support under Application Server.
Browse to “C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config” (you will need administrator rights here)
Open applicationHost.config
Note: In IISExpress and Visual Studio 2015 the applicationHost.config is stored in $(solutionDir).vs\config\applicationhost.config
Find the section that showed up in the “config source” part of the error message page. For me this has typically been “modules” or “handlers”
Change the overrideModeDefault attribute to be Allow
So the whole line now looks like:
<section name="modules" allowDefinition="MachineToApplication" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
After saving the file, the page loaded up fine in my browser.
Warning:
Editing applicationHost.config on 64-bit Windows
You need to unlock handlers. This can be done using following cmd command:
%windir%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe unlock config -section:system.webServer/handlers
Maybe another info for people that are getting this error on IIS 8, in my case was on Microsoft Server 2012 platform. I had spend couple of hours battling with other errors that bubbled up after executing appcmd. In the end I was able to fix it by removing Web Server Role and installing it again.
1. Open "Turn windows features on or off" by: WinKey+ R => "optionalfeatures" => OK
Enable those features under "Application Development Features"
Tested on Win 10 - But probably will work on other windows versions as well.
I ran these two commands from an elevated command prompt:
%windir%/system32/inetsrv/appcmd unlock config /section:anonymousAuthentication
%windir%/system32/inetsrv/appcmd unlock config /section:windowsAuthentication
As per my answer to this similar issue;
Try unlocking the relevant IIS configuration settings at server level, as follows:
Open IIS Manager
Select the server in the Connections pane
Open Configuration Editor in the main pane
In the Sections drop down, select the section to unlock, e.g. system.webServer > defaultPath
Click Unlock Attribute in the right pane
Repeat for any other settings which you need to unlock
Restart IIS (optional) - Select the server in the Conncetions pane, click Restart in the Actions pane
This Did the trick for me, for IIS 8 Windows server 2012 R2
Go to "Turn on Features"
Then go to all default setting , Next, Next, Next etc..
Then, select as shown below,
Then reset IIS (optional) but do it safer side.
This is an additional solution as its a generic problem everyone have different of problem and thus different solution. Cheers!
The best option is to Change Application Settings from the Custom Site Delegation
Open IIS and from the root select Feature Delegation and then select Application Settings and from the right sidebar select Read/Write
On Windows Server 2012 with IIS 8 I have solved this by enabling ASP.NET 4.5 feature:
and then following ken's answer.
To fix this open up the IIS Express applicationhost.config. This file is stored at C:\Users[your user name]\Documents\IISExpress\config\applicationhost.config
Update for VS2015+: config file location is $(solutionDir).vs\config\applicationhost.config
Look for the following lines
<section name="windowsAuthentication" overrideModeDefault="Deny" />
<section name="anonymousAuthentication" overrideModeDefault="Deny" />
<add name="WindowsAuthenticationModule" lockItem="true" />
<add name="AnonymousAuthenticationModule" lockItem="true" />
Change those lines to
<section name="windowsAuthentication" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
<section name="anonymousAuthentication" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
<add name="WindowsAuthenticationModule" lockItem="false" />
<add name="AnonymousAuthenticationModule" lockItem="false" />
Save it and refresh Asp.net Page.
In our case on IIS 8 we found the error was produced when attempting to view Authentication" for a site, when:
The server Feature Delegation marked as "Authentication - Windows" = "Read Only"
The site had a web.config that explicitly referenced windows authentication; e.g.,
Marking the site Feature Delegation "Authentication - Windows" = "Read/Write", the error went away. It appears that, with the feature marked "Read Only", the web.config is not allowed to reference it at all even to disable it, as this apparently constitutes a write.
Seems that with IIS Express and VS 2015, there's a copy of the applicationHost.config file at $(solutionDir).vs\config\applicationhost.config so you'll need to make changes there. See this link: http://digitaldrummerj.me/iis-express-windows-authentication/
Make sure these lines are changed per below:
<section name="windowsAuthentication" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
<section name="anonymousAuthentication" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
<add name="WindowsAuthenticationModule" lockItem="false" />
<add name="AnonymousAuthenticationModule" lockItem="false" />
In my case it was that on server was not enabled "HTTP Activation" under .NET Framework Features. So for Windows Server 2012 the solution which worked for me was:
Server Manager -> Add roles and features -> Features -> make sure that under .NET Framework of version you want to use is checked "HTTP Activation"
The Powershell way of enabling the features (Windows Server 2012 +) - trim as needed:
Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Core
Install-WindowsFeature Web-Server -IncludeAllSubFeature
Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-Features -IncludeAllSubFeature
Install-WindowsFeature NET-Framework-45-ASPNET -IncludeAllSubFeature
Install-WindowsFeature Application-Server -IncludeAllSubFeature
Install-WindowsFeature MSMQ -IncludeAllSubFeature
Install-WindowsFeature WAS -IncludeAllSubFeature
The error says that the configuration section is locked at the parent level.
So it will not be directly 1 config file which will resolve the issue,
we need to go through the hierarchy of the config files to see the inheritance
Check the below link to go through the File hierarchy and inheritance in IIS
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms178685.aspx
So you need to check for the app config settings in the below order
ApplicationHost.config in C:windows\system32\inetsrv\config. Change the overrideModeDefault attribute to be Allow.
ApplicationName.config or web.config in the applications directory
Web.config in the root directory.
Web.config in the specific website (My issue was found at this place).
Web.config of the root web (server's configuration)
machine.config of the machine (Root's web.config and machine.config can be found at - systemroot\MicrosoftNET\Framework\versionNumber\CONFIG\Machine.config)
Go carefully through all these configs in the order of 1 to 6 and you should find it.
I noticed one answer that was similar, but in my case I used the IIS Configured Editor to find the section I wanted to "unlock".
Then I copied the path and used it in my automation to unlock it prior to changing the sections I wanted to edit.
. "$($env:windir)\system32\inetsrv\appcmd" unlock config -section:system.webServer/security/authentication/windowsAuthentication
. "$($env:windir)\system32\inetsrv\appcmd" unlock config -section:system.webServer/security/authentication/anonymousAuthentication
I needed to change the SSL settings on a subfolder when i got this nice message. In my case following action helped me out.
Opened C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config
And changed the value from overrideModeDefault="Deny" to "Allow"
<sectionGroup name="system.webServer">
...
<sectionGroup name="security">
<section name="access" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
</sectionGroup>
In my case, I got this error because I was operating on the wrong configuration file.
I was doing this:
Configuration config = serverManager.GetWebConfiguration(websiteName);
ConfigurationSection serverRuntimeSection = config.GetSection("system.webServer/serverRuntime");
serverRuntimeSection["alternateHostName"] = hostname;
instead of the correct code:
Configuration config = serverManager.GetApplicationHostConfiguration();
ConfigurationSection serverRuntimeSection = configApp.GetSection("system.webServer/serverRuntime", websiteName);
serverRuntimeSection["alternateHostName"] = hostname;
in other words, I was trying to operate on the website's web.config instead of the global file C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\config\applicationHost.config, which has a section (or can have a section) for the website. The setting I was trying to change exists only in the applicationHost.config file.
In my case, it was something else.
When I loaded the solution in a new version of Visual Studio, VS apparently created a new project-specific applicationhost.config file:
MySolutionDir\.vs\config\applicationhost.config
It started using the settings from the new config, instead of my already customized global IIS Express settings.
(\Users\%USER%\Documents\IISExpress\config\applicationhost.config)
In my case this was the setting that needed to be set. Of course it could be something else for you:
<section name="ipSecurity" overrideModeDefault="Allow" />
Received this same issue after installing IIS 7 on Vista Home Premium. To correct error I changed the following values located in the applicationHost.config file located in Windows\system32\inetsrv.
Change all of the following values located in section -->
<div mce_keep="true"><section name="handlers" overrideModeDefault="Deny" /> change this value from "Deny" to "Allow"</div>
<div mce_keep="true"><section name="modules" allowDefinition="MachineToApplication" overrideModeDefault="Deny" /> change this value from "Deny" to "Allow"</div>
Can You try this:
Go to application path where you're getting deny error, right click
Properties->Security tab
In that, change the permissions and check the checkbox read and write. Then it will work without any error hopefully.
For Windows Server 2008 and IIS 7, the procedure is similar.
please refer to this:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/bb763178(v=vs.100).aspx
in add role service, u will see "Application Development Features"
Check (enable) the features. I checked all.
In my case I was getting this error when attempting to update the authentication settings in IIS also in addition to browsing. I was able to remove this error by removing the authentication setting from the web.config itself. Removing a problematic configuration section may be less invasive and preferable in some cases than changing the server roles and features too much:
Section Removed:
<security>
<authentication>
<windowsAuthentication enabled="true" />
</authentication>
</security>
I had the similar issue, but I used the following powershell script which helped me to achieve above steps in on button click.
#Install IIS
Import-Module ServerManager
Add-WindowsFeature Web-Server, Web-Asp-Net45, Web-Mgmt-Console, Web-Scripting-Tools, NET-WCF-HTTP-Activation45, Web-Windows-Auth
the list of features can be added or removed based on the requirement.
I had an issue where I was putting in the override = "Allow" values (mentioned here already)......but on a x64 bit system.......my 32 notepad++ was phantom saving them. Switching to Notepad (which is a 64bit application on a x64 bit O/S) allowed me to save the settings.
See :
http://dpotter.net/technical/2009/11/editing-applicationhostconfig-on-64-bit-windows/
The relevant text:
One of the problems I’m running down required that I view and possibly edit applicationHost.config. This file is located at %SystemRoot%\System32\inetsrv\config. Seems simple enough. I was able to find it from the command line easily, but when I went to load it in my favorite editor (Notepad++) I got a file not found error. Turns out that the System32 folder is redirected for 32-bit applications to SysWOW64. There appears to be no way to view the System32 folder using a 32-bit app. Go figure.
Fortunately, 64-bit versions of Windows ship with a 64-bit version of Notepad. As much as I dislike it, at least it works.
I had the same issue.
Resolved it by enabling Application Server feature. Restarted iis
after that.
This worked for me
Also in IIS 8 you can solve this problem by changing the server to IIS Express. Goto debug->Properties
In the Web select the server as IIS Express from the dropdown and then rebuild the solution
To make a change at Application Level (Web.Config):
Please remove the Trust Level from the web.config:
Actually I was getting this error when I was trying to host my Website on the Hosting Server where I don't have control on their Server. Removing the above line from my Application web.config solved my issue.
I know this has been asked before but I just cannot figure this out. I believe I have covered everything that has been brought up already but I'll cover those.
I am getting this message when I try to step into a service that is a project that is currently in my solution:
I have 3 projects in my solution:
SuburbanCustPortal <-- my website
SuburbanHub <-- my serice
WebsiteLogging <-- my logging project (no significance here)
I read that I should check the following items:
Make sure that debug is on. I have this in both of my project's web.config:
Make sure they are both using the same .net version. They are both on the .net framework 4.0.
Make sure Enable Just Your Code is unchecked:
The service is pointed to a local url:
I can pull up the service in my browser without error:
This is my settings for iis:
I have restarted visual studio, the computer and removed the service and added it back.
I cannot, for the life of me, figure this out. If I have missed anything I am willing to give it a shot.
It is very important that I get this resolved so I can get this project out this weekend so any help would be greatly appreciated.
IN RESPONSE TO Sanket Shah
I do not have the option w3wp.exe:
SOMETHING I FORGOT TO MENTION
I have set debug=true in both of my projects:
<compilation targetFramework="4.0" debug="true">
<assemblies>
<add assembly="System.Data.Entity, Version=4.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089" />
</assemblies>
</compilation>
Also, I wanted to add that I have been able to step into my service before but since coming back to the project recently, I am not able too. I have a break point on the line that calls the service and when I try to F11 in to it, I get the above message.
IN RESPONSE TO Pawel
I have tried setting symbols the follow ways and neither allowed me to step in:
I have even tried to use the Microsoft symbols:
IN RESPONSE TO Pawel #2
ADDITION INFO
I just noticed this, I'm not sure if it is related:
ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT DEBUG MODE
I have all projects set in debug mode:
Your solution/project/settings file(s) might be / seems like it is corrupted. If you create a new solution from scratch, adding new projects which mimic your current structure, you can try and see if debugging works properly.
If that works, gradually move the code over while keeping checking that debug keeps working.
I don't know why this doesn't work.
I have a work-around for you, which you verified in the comments: add System.Diagnostics.Debugger.Break() somewhere in your service after it starts. This should pop up some sort of exception window, with a list of Visual Studio instances open. Pick the one with your solution and click OK, and it should attach correctly to that location.
Annoying? Yes. In my experience with Visual Studio, it can be very finicky sometimes about debugging into Windows services. This is the only reliable way to do it that I know about.
In addition to other answers, you can do two things:
Close your solution, delete [solution-name].suo file, reopen solution. See if your problem still persists.
Open a command prompt as admin, cd %windir%\Microsoft.net\Framework\v4.0.30319, execute this aspnet_regiis.exe -i.
In solution, have you tried to set all assemblies (client and server) to start in debug mode rather than trying to attach it after launch ? (right click on solution in the top of Solution explorer, startup, multiple startup project, choose "start" for every assembly which is an entry point : server, client, etc).
Have you tried to run only the "server" part in debug mode (the one which is not debuggable) and call it for example with soap ui ?
You should try to see if you can run it directly and debug it without the "step in" from another process, or if it also fails to load in debugger even if started directly.
FYI, if you use IIS Express it's normal you don't see "w3wp.exe", which is for IIS. You may have a iisexpress.exe process, or in some cases aspnet_wp.exe.
Don't forget to check "show processes for all users" in Debug->Attach to process window if you choose to hook on existing process rather than doing that I was saying first.
Go to Properties of the solution select Multi statup project and select all projects with start, then debug the solution.
how can i make it that when i go to (for example) http://localhost:60288/ it does not show me a directory listing but rather opens the Index.aspx page? This works with http://localhost:60288/Index.aspx but i don't wish to have Index.aspx shown every time.
i also need links like http://localhost:60288/?a=1 to work like http://localhost:60288/Index.aspx?a=1 without the Index.aspx shown.
this used to work when i created a website project in visual studio, but now i'm using application project. how can I set this up?
i want / need this to work for all sub folders as well e.g. http://localhost:60288/SubFolder/ should work as if it was linked to http://localhost:60288/SubFolder/Index.aspx
thnx
edit still did not manage it
Cassini (the built-in webserver used by Visual Studio) doesn't allow you to configure the Default Document that's used if you don't specify a filename in your URL. The 'Set as Start Page' option isn't the same thing, as you've found, since that only affects which page is first opened when you run the project, and doesn't affect subsequent page-loads.
However, Cassini does have a list of Default Documents - it just isn't configurable, and the list only contains "default.aspx" and "default.htm". The only way you could achieve what you want in Cassini is to rename all your "index.aspx" files to "default.aspx".
The easiest way for me to do this was to use a mapping. Inside your Web.config, insert the following:
<configuration>
<system.web>
<compilation debug="true" targetFramework="4.0" />
<urlMappings enabled="true">
<add url="~/" mappedUrl="~/index.aspx" />
<add url="~/default.aspx" mappedUrl="~/index.aspx" />
</urlMappings>
</system.web>
</configuration>
Go into the IIS manager (in control panel - administrative tools)
Right click - properties on the default website
Documents tab - ensure that 'enable default document' is ticked, and that index.aspx is in the list of default documents, up the top preferably.
Home directory tab - make sure you've got an application created (application name shouldn't be blank). Click the 'create' button if you need to.
asp.net tab - check that you've selected the correct version of the framework that you want.
Let me know how you go.
You can remove or rename your index.aspx , so that it will show the directory listing when runs unless you set another page as start page.
For the second thing, u can use ASP.NET URL masking feature
You can use IIS Manager to set the Default document(s) for your site/application.
Cassini (the development web server integrated in Visual Studio) doesn't support the possibility to change the default document.
And yes, you do need to be an administrator to configure IIS.