When a default page inside of a web directory is not set, not present or custom named, this error message will be returned: ‘Directory Listing Denied. The Virtual Directory does not allow its contents to be listed.’ This article will walk you through ensuring that a default page is set correctly.

Step 1: Open IIS by navigating to Start à Administrative Tools à Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

Step 2: Click the plus-sign next to the Computer name, then the plus sign next to Web Sites. Locate the web site directory you are attempting to set a default page for, right-click on the web folder in question, and choose Properties.

Step 3: Once inside the Properties dialog box, click the tab which says Documents. Ensure that the option for Enable Default Content Page is checked. Check to see if the index or default page you are trying to access is listed in the field below. If it is not, click the Add button.

Step 4: Type the name of the index page you would like the site to display. For the purposes of this article, we will name it ‘index2.html’. Once named, click OK.

Step 5: Set the directory to search for the specified index page before any others by highlighting it in the list, and clicking the Move Up button until it is at the top. Once finished, click OK.

The web folder will now display your specified index page.