Creating a virtual directory failed with the error

Question

I can't solve this problem

enter image description here

I suggest I have to change c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts file and add after

# localhost name resolution is handled within DNS itself.

the next line:

127.0.0.1       mysite.dev

but it doesn't help. Any suggestions?

Error ocсurrs when I try to open web site project in Microsoft Visual Studio 2012.

Check this: http://stonycreektechnologies.com/2011/03/15/iis-express-enable-remote-requests/ — fankt, Aug 29 '12 at 03:22
It is second or third google link, I got while searched solution in the Internet. It's not what I need. — Dmytro, Aug 29 '12 at 03:34

pim · Answer 1 · 2018-01-06T01:02:17.883

180

More often than not, at least in my case, this happens is when a *.csproj.user file is in the project directory and has <UseIISExpress>true</UseIISExpress> in it.

Alternatively, as mentioned by Zachary Cutler you can also simply: close Visual Studio, delete the *.csproj.user file and reopen Visual Studio. This will force VS to rebuild the file.

edited Jan 06 '18 at 01:02

answered Jun 17 '16 at 14:56

pim

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this not work for me , after update vs2017 15.7.1 ,I got this problem. – Marsen Lin May 15 '18 at 03:19
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This didnt work for me. I have deleted `.vs` folder. deleted `*.csproj.user` and still gives the same error. – Zapnologica Jun 06 '19 at 07:56
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this also worked for me, I just deleted the [myproj].csproj.user file and it loaded - this was in VS2019 - running in admin mode – Mark Jul 18 '19 at 03:47
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This was the answer for me. The disturbing thing is.. I already upvoted it. This answer is the gift that keeps on giving! – Greg Woods Mar 10 '21 at 11:27

score 35 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 20 '17 at 08:34

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I've already found the solution. I just had to edit C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\IISExpress\config\applicationhost.config file, by adding my site to <sites> node.

edited Oct 20 '17 at 08:34

Luke

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answered Aug 29 '12 at 12:19

Dmytro

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In case this is not the answer for you and If you find yourself in my situation, I deleted the .vs directory to clear the cache and didn't notice that Visual Studio had changed my default build configuration to an auto-generated one that was configured to use IISExpress. So if you had a project that was working fine and then stops loading, I'd suggest before you do anything else to check the build config (which I of course failed to do) – saminpa Sep 02 '18 at 18:10
Oops, while my previous 'helpful' comment was accurate it was not the root cause of the cryptic error message. That would be the fact that the automatically recreated .vs folder inherited NTFS encryption. Back to normal without needing to edit the project file after decrypting that folder. – saminpa Sep 02 '18 at 18:57
Works even after 6 years. I got this issue with vs2017 latest version. But solved it using the above info. – Awais Nov 07 '18 at 16:21
When does one use local `applicaionhost.config` vs the one in the solution folder? – Zapnologica Jun 06 '19 at 07:09

score 20 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 24 '14 at 19:33

You can opt to install IIS locally and edit a couple of tags on .csproj File. Open you csproj file and go to section <VisualStudio> then find tag <UseIIS>True</UseIIS> it must be set as true, then go to tag: <IISUrl> and set up with the URL address where the application will be hosted for testing:

<VisualStudio>
      <FlavorProperties GUID="{349c5851-65df-11da-9384-00065b846f21}">
        <WebProjectProperties>
          <UseIIS>True</UseIIS>
          <AutoAssignPort>False</AutoAssignPort>
          <DevelopmentServerPort></DevelopmentServerPort>
          <DevelopmentServerVPath>/</DevelopmentServerVPath>
          **<IISUrl>http://localhost/myWebSiteAppSample</IISUrl>**
          <NTLMAuthentication>False</NTLMAuthentication>
          <UseCustomServer>False</UseCustomServer>
          <CustomServerUrl>
          </CustomServerUrl>
          <SaveServerSettingsInUserFile>False</SaveServerSettingsInUserFile>
        </WebProjectProperties>
      </FlavorProperties>
    </VisualStudio>

And that is. Now you can load your project normally.

With a note: the `**` asterisks should not be in the file. Of course. — ErikE, Jan 22 '16 at 19:51

score 17 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 29 '16 at 00:52

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The problem would be your project setup to be executed in the local IIS and the URL specified not exist.

There are options you can do to fix the problem.

Option 1 : (Use IIS Express)

1.) Open you web project .csproj file as XAML or in notepad.

2.) Find these properties and set according to your preferences.

UseIIS = false

UseIISExpress = true

and that's it.

Option 2 : (Use local IIS)

Follow the option 1 steps but change the following properties.

UseIIS = true

IISUrl = https://localhost

UseIISExpress = false

answered Sep 29 '16 at 00:52

pampi

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Option 1 not Working – Metin Atalay Jan 12 '17 at 12:46
Option 2 worked for me, just had to set UseIIS = true – Joshlo May 09 '18 at 07:19
Option 2 Worked :) – Senura Dissanayake May 22 '18 at 06:40

score 9 · Answer 5 · edited Sep 27 '19 at 16:04

9

The issue can be fixed by deleting the folder named .vs in the project directory.

This solves the problem because while opening the project after deleting the .vs file, it creates the same folder with subfolder config and folder with project name.

The config folder applicationhost contains the necessary settings required to run the project successfully.

edited Sep 27 '19 at 16:04

MaartenDev

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answered Apr 11 '18 at 18:29

Ashran Haider

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score 6 · Answer 6 · answered Apr 30 '18 at 14:12

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I just went to the directory named in the error and renamed the applicationhost.config and restarted and VS created a new file and ran fine.

answered Apr 30 '18 at 14:12

pat capozzi

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Huzaim · Answer 7 · 2019-08-09T08:26:57.087

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Tried several approaches mentioned in the answers, but what finally worked for me was swapping the <IISUrl> of .csproj with <CustomServerUrl>.

Edit :

The above didn't solve the root cause of the issue for me. However, If you've done a windows update recently, perhaps it might be the reason that's causing the issue. Try executing netsh http add iplisten 0.0.0.0 and see whether it solves the issue.

Hope these would help someone still looking for a way.

edited Aug 09 '19 at 08:26

answered Aug 08 '19 at 10:52

Huzaim

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Of all the things (and I mean ALL), this (``) is the one that finally did the trick for me. Thanks so much! – Ash May 02 '20 at 04:37

score 1 · Answer 8 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:26

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I don't know why, by my applicationhost.config file was completely missing from my C:\Users\Administrator\Documents\IISExpress\config\ folder.

Copy/pasting C:\inetpub\history\applicationhost.config into that folder seemed to fix the problem for me.

Got the idea from here.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:26

Community

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answered Oct 13 '15 at 20:51

Daniel Szabo

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In my case file got corrupted. so I deleted it and replaced it with a applicationhost.config file found on system search. I don't have admin right so can't access inetpub\history. I think Visual studio always expects this config file but after that even though I deleted the applicationhost.config file repeatedly from IISExpress\config location VS kept on creating it. Looks like sometime settings gets corrupted but once it is inline with right settings VS takes care of all settings of its own. – kumar chandraketu Apr 10 '18 at 13:45

score 1 · Answer 9 · answered Apr 21 '16 at 03:25

Turn on windows features "Internet Information Services" in control panel.
Open ".csproj" file and find
Modify this line based on your requirements. http://localhost:777/
Open the project/solution now
If failed to load again, just right click the solution and select "Reload Project".

score 1 · Answer 10 · answered Dec 14 '17 at 17:21

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I know this is probably a rare occurrence, but figured I'd put it here:

My csproj file was set to "read only" (Don't ask me how I managed that), but after I turned off "read only" access, everything was fine. (VS2017)

answered Dec 14 '17 at 17:21

Andy

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score 1 · Answer 11 · answered Feb 15 '18 at 23:29

Not the exact same error, but I was lead to this answer since the first half of the error matched. Your applicationhost.config file may simply be read-only. Taking that off solved the error for me. That error calls out the file specifically though, so you should be able to find it easily.

score 1 · Answer 12 · edited Mar 05 '21 at 03:26

1

I had to somewhat combine some of the above answers. My solution was to edit (not delete) the file .vs\config\applicationhost.config

There is a section for the bindings of the site, simply change from localhost to whatever you desire to run it under. Note that the port numbers are in front of the server name.

edited Mar 05 '21 at 03:26

bguiz

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answered Mar 04 '21 at 22:14

Matt L

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Thanks a million - this solved my problem, too! – Bernd Apr 16 '21 at 09:06

score 0 · Answer 13 · answered Aug 24 '16 at 22:34

I was facing the same issue because of my network password changed.I changed my NetExtendor login password but I have to login in my laptop with old password.

Try these steps to fix this issue:

log into the Computer with whatever password works log into vpn with whatever password works ctl-alt-del to lock the pc then use the new password to unlock it

It worked for me :-)

Thanks!

score 0 · Answer 14 · answered Mar 20 '19 at 17:09

So here are the steps to fix it:

Go where your .csproj file is. This is usually one directory below the solution (.sln)
Right click and open with a text editor (notepad)
Find IISUrl tag and replace its content for http://localhost:(YourPortNumber)
Save and reload your project!

score 0 · Answer 15 · answered Jul 06 '19 at 15:08

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My issue was with Windows 10 Defender. I had given IIS permission in the past, but seems like it is now ignoring it. Will look into it later, but for now I disabled controlled folder access and it worked.

answered Jul 06 '19 at 15:08

Steve Greene

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score 0 · Answer 16 · answered Nov 04 '19 at 08:52

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I wanted open an exiting project of Visual Studio 2017 in VS 2019 and encountered with the same issue. I find its a version related problem. The solution is: Create a new project in the newer VS and copy the codes from the older VS.

answered Nov 04 '19 at 08:52

Kousik Patra

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Welcome to SO! In the question, there is no mention to any change on VS version. When you post an answer check that you are replying the question. If not, then just create a question with this issue and answer yourself, so it will help the Community. – David García Bodego Nov 04 '19 at 09:13

score 0 · Answer 17 · answered May 15 '20 at 17:20

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Try decrypting the applicationhost.config file. That worked for me.

answered May 15 '20 at 17:20

Fran

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Creating a virtual directory failed with the error

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