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A Deeper Dive into Microsoft IIS: Real-World Uses, Developer Workflows & Competitors

When you’re working within Windows environments, you’ve likely crossed paths with IIS—short for Internet Information Services. Microsoft IIS is Microsoft’s native web server software, and while it doesn’t always get the same open-source hype as Apache or Nginx, its place in enterprise infrastructure and development workflows is solid.

In this post, we’ll go beyond “what is IIS server” and instead break down its real-world uses on platforms like Windows Server, how developers use it on Windows Home through IIS Express, and where it stands against heavy hitters like Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed. Whether you’re a sysadmin, a developer, or someone looking to understand which web server to commit to for your stack, this deeper dive is for you.

What Is Microsoft IIS Really Used For?

Let’s start with the basics: Microsoft IIS is a flexible, secure, and highly extensible web server for Windows. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, FTPS, SMTP, and even classic ASP and modern ASP.NET applications. Unlike third-party servers, IIS integrates tightly with Windows features like Active Directory, Group Policy, and Windows Authentication, which makes it a go-to choice for internal networks and enterprise environments.

So, when someone asks, “What is Internet Information Services?” or “What is Microsoft IIS used” for?” — here’s the short answer:

Hosting ASP.NET/ASP.NET Core apps
Running internal business portals (like SharePoint)
Handling SSL/TLS with ease
Managing multiple websites with Application Pools
Serving static content or acting as a reverse proxy

Figure 1: A visual flow of IIS’s pipeline architecture with Application Pools and Worker Processes.

Running IIS on Windows Server vs. Windows Home

On Windows Server

If you’re deploying applications in production, you’re most likely doing so on Windows Server. That’s where full IIS shines. You can install it using Server Manager, PowerShell, or even through DISM scripts.

To install IIS, here’s a quick PowerShell one-liner command:
$$ Install-WindowsFeature -Name Web-Server -IncludeManagementTools

From there, you can use IIS Manager (a GUI tool) to configure your sites, set up bindings, enforce SSL policies, and more.

On Windows Home

Now, here’s where things get tricky. Windows IIS doesn’t ship fully with home editions—but that doesn’t mean you’re completely locked out. You can use IIS Express, a lightweight, developer-focused version of the full web server.

It’s great for local testing when working on ASP.NET or .NET Core applications, and it doesn’t require admin rights. Tools like Visual Studio use it by default for debugging and previewing.

Figures 2 & 3: Screenshots comparisons of IIS Manager on Windows Server vs. IIS Express config in Visual Studio.

How to Know Your Microsoft IIS Version

Whether you’re debugging a legacy app or ensuring compatibility with modern frameworks, knowing your IIS version is essential. There are a few ways to check for the version:
Using IIS Manager, do the following steps:

Launch IIS Manager.
Go to Help > About Internet Information Services.

Using Command Prompt, use the following command:
$$ reg query “HKLM\Software\Microsoft\InetStp”

Using PowerShell, use the following command:
$$ Get-ItemProperty “HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\InetStp” | Select VersionString

Why Use IIS Over Other Web Servers?

Let’s be honest—IIS isn’t always the loudest in the room, but when you’re in a Microsoft ecosystem, it just works. Here’s why many organizations choose it over open-source alternatives:

Built-in Windows Authentication support
Seamless integration with .NET apps and Microsoft services
GUI management via IIS Manager
PowerShell and WMI scripting for automation
App Pool isolation for stability and security

On the downside, it’s Windows-only, so cross-platform deployments are out of the question unless you use containers—and even then, Linux is often preferred.

Figure 4: it’s Windows-only, so cross-platform deployments are out of the question unless you use containers—and even then, Linux is often preferred.

Microsoft IIS vs. Apache vs. Nginx vs. LiteSpeed: Competitor Breakdown

Here’s where things get real. Let’s break down the IIS features vs. its top competitors:

Feature	IIS	Apache	Nginx	LiteSpeed
Platform	Windows-only	Cross-platform	Cross-platform	Linux/Unix
Config Style	GUI + config files	Text-based	Text-based	Text-based
Best For	ASP.NET, Windows auth	PHP, legacy apps	Load balancing, speed	High-speed WordPress
Reverse Proxy	Yes	Yes (via mod_proxy)	Excellent	Good
Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	No (Free “OpenLiteSpeed” option)

Figure 5: Feature comparison chart of IIS vs Apache/Nginx/LiteSpeed

Common Developer Workflows: IIS in Local Environments

A lot of developers just fire up IIS Express via Visual Studio and move on. But for more controlled local environments, you can configure full IIS on Windows 10/11 Pro using the “Turn Windows Features on or Off” panel. This enables you to:

Replicate production conditions more accurately
Test redirect and SSL rules
Work with application pools manually
Use custom domain bindings via host’s file

Final Thoughts: Should You Stick with ISS?

If you’re already working in the Windows Server space, managing .NET applications, or tied to Active Directory—then yes, Microsoft Internet Information Services is still a highly valid, well-supported option. But if you’re chasing raw performance, microservice scalability, or want to live fully in open-source ecosystems, alternatives like Nginx or LiteSpeed may better suit your goals.

Either way, IIS deserves more respect than it often gets. It’s not just “Microsoft’s web server”—it’s a production-ready, enterprise-grade tool with real power when used right.