Nonexistent virtual directory returns a 403 error
Article ID: 195639
Article Last Modified on 3/31/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q195639
We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 6.0 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003. IIS 6.0 significantly increases Web infrastructure security. For more information about IIS security-related topics, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
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
When you create a virtual directory by using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), you set the access properties to None, and then you delete the virtual directory from the file system itself by using Windows Explorer, you 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: kbprb kbpending KB195639