Configuring File MIME Types on IIS 6.0

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

IIS serves only static files with extensions registered in the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) types list. IIS is preconfigured to recognize a default set of global MIME types, which are recognized by all configured Web sites. You can define MIME types at the Web site and directory levels independent of one another or of the types defined globally. IIS also allows you to change, remove, or configure additional MIME types. For any static content file extensions used by the Web sites hosted by IIS that are not defined in the MIME types list, you must create a corresponding MIME type entry.

The Apache to IIS 6.0 Migration Tool migrates the MIME types for the Apache Web sites; however, you must add any MIME types for content that was added earlier in the Apache migration process by completing the following steps:

  1. For each static type used by your Web site, ensure that an entry exists in the MIME types list.

    When your application uses the standard MIME types included in IIS 6.0 or the MIME types migrated by the Apache to IIS 6.0 Migration Tool, no new MIME type entries are required. However, if you add new static content earlier in the Apache migration process, you must add the new MIME types. For information about adding a MIME type to the MIME types list, see Configure MIME Types.

  2. Use a Web browser on a client computer to verify that the Web sites and applications run on the server.