Using HTTP Compression

Updated: August 22, 2005

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1

To more efficiently use available bandwidth, enable IIS HTTP compression. HTTP compression provides faster transmission time between compression-enabled browsers and IIS, regardless of whether your content is served from local storage or a UNC resource. You can compress static files and application response files. Compressing application response files is usually called dynamic compression.

This section includes the following information:

Enabling HTTP Compression: Describes how to enable compression.
Customizing the File Types IIS Compresses: Describes how to add or remove file types from IIS compression.

Related Information

For a detailed discussion of how HTTP compression works, how to test compression, and detailed compression configuration options, see Using HTTP Compression for Faster Downloads.
For more information about improving the performance of IIS network resources using related features like bandwidth throttling and connection time-outs, see Administering Network Resources.