Installing Web Platform Installer
If you choose to install the Web Deploy via Web Platform Installer (Web PI), select the Recommended Server Configuration for Web Hosting Providers option. When you install the Web Deploy with this option, Web PI will select and install all prerequisites and dependencies required for Web Deploy. This package will also include several optional components; if you don't wish to install them, simply click the X next to the components.
Note that the Recommended Server Configuration for Windows Web Hosting Providers can be installed on Windows 2012 Server or later. In earlier versions of Windows Server (2008/2008 R2) with IIS 7, you will have to install the Web Deploy package separately.
Installing Web Deploy from Web Platform Installer
Here are the steps to install the Web Deploy via Web Platform Installer using the Recommended Server Configuration for Web Hosting Providers option.
Step 1: Open Web Platform Installer.
Step 2: In the search bar located in the upper-right corner, enter the keyword Recommended and press the Enter key.
Step 3: Select Recommended Server Configuration for Web Hosting Providers, and then click Add. Click on the Install button.
Step 4: On the Prerequisites page, click I accept.
Step 5: You will see the download and install progress as shown in the following screen.
Step 6: Once the installation has been completed, click on the Finish button.
Assign User in IIS Manager Permissions
When you install Web Deploy via Web PI, most of the settings will be done by the Web PI itself. In this section, we will allow users in IIS Manager.
Step 1: Open IIS Manager.
Step 2: In the Connections pane, expand the Sites and select the website.
Step 3: In the Feature view, click on IIS Manager Permissions.
Step 4: On the next screen, click on the Allow User link (step #1 shown in the image). This will open the Allow User window. On this screen, click on the Select button (step #2).
Step 5: On the next window, click on the Advanced button (step #3). On the next window, click on the Find Now button (step #4).
Step 6: Select the username (FTP Username) to whom you want to assign the permissions for web deployment and click the OK button. Click the OK button twice. We recommend you select the FTP user for web deployment to prevent permissions issues.
Step 7: When the user is added, you will see it listed under IIS Manager Permissions. Now, try to connect to IIS via Web Matrix to verify the connection.
Conclusion:
Setting up Web Deploy on your Windows Server streamlines the deployment process for ASP.NET, PHP, and other web applications by allowing smooth synchronization of site content, configurations, and databases. With Web Platform Installer, the installation becomes hassle-free, ensuring all required components and dependencies are properly handled.
By assigning user-level IIS permissions, you make the deployment process more secure and controlled — allowing only authorized users (like your FTP user) to publish content.
Whether you're deploying from Visual Studio, Web Matrix, or using automated scripts, Web Deploy ensures consistent, efficient, and repeatable deployments to your IIS web server.
