This post shows the steps to install IIS base components on SCCM distribution point. By installing the IIS prerequisites, you can fix the error “Failed to create virtual directory” on the distribution point.

When you install the SCCM distribution point role, it may sometimes fail to install properly. While installing the DP role on a Windows Server, I encountered the following error: failed to create virtual directory.

When you install distribution point role on Windows Server, by default, during the installation, all the required prerequisites are installed. In rare cases, the prerequisites fail to install and that’s when the distribution point fails to install.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

Configuration Manager reports the errors and possible resolutions in the Monitoring workspace. The SCCM DP log files should also log the errors related to distribution point installation. First, we will take a look at the error details and then steps to resolve the error.

Failed to create virtual directory on SCCM DP

A Failed to create virtual directory error appears when you attempt to install the distribution point role on Windows Server. This error is resolved when you install all the prerequisites required for Distribution Point.

The below screenshot is an example of the error Failed to create virtual directory. More details about this error can be retrieved from the Asset Message on a DP.

Install IIS Base Components on SCCM Distribution Point
Failed to create virtual directory on SCCM DP
  • Error: Failed to create virtual directory on the defined share or volume on the distribution point.
  • Possible cause: Distribution Manager requires that IIS base components be installed on the local Configuration Manager Site Server in order to create the virtual directory. Distribution Manager also requires that IIS Web Services be installed on the Distribution Point Server that needs to support Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
  • Solution: Verify IIS base components installed on the local Configuration Manager Site Server, IIS Web Services installed on the Distribution Point Server.

SCCM Distribution Point Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are required by SCCM distribution point:

Here is a list of all SCCM distribution point prerequisites.

  • Remote Differential Compression
  • Application Development: ISAPI Extensions
  • Security: Windows Authentication
  • IIS 6 Management Compatibility: IIS 6 Metabase and IIS 6 WMI Compatibility.
  • PowerShell: On Windows Server 2012 or later, install PowerShell 3.0 or 4.0 as prerequisite before you install the SCCM distribution point.
  • Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable Package prerequisites are installed by Configuration Manager on each computer that houses a distribution point.
  • You can use a cloud service in Microsoft Azure to host a distribution point.
  • To support PXE or multicast, enable a PXE responder on a distribution point without Windows Deployment Service.
  • You must also add the SCCM site server computer account to the Local Administrators group server that will be your DP.

How to Install IIS Base Components on SCCM Distribution Point

Let’s look at the steps to install IIS base components on SCCM Distribution Point.

  1. On the Windows Server, run PowerShell as an administrator and type the below command. This will install all the IIS components required for setting up a distribution point. Without any reboot, the DP status changed to green (healthy).
dism.exe /online /norestart /enable-feature /ignorecheck /featurename:"IIS-WebServerRole" /featurename:"IIS-WebServer" /featurename:"IIS-CommonHttpFeatures" /featurename:"IIS-StaticContent" /featurename:"IIS-DefaultDocument" /featurename:"IIS-DirectoryBrowsing" /featurename:"IIS-HttpErrors" /featurename:"IIS-HttpRedirect" /featurename:"IIS-WebServerManagementTools" /featurename:"IIS-IIS6ManagementCompatibility" /featurename:"IIS-Metabase" /featurename:"IIS-WindowsAuthentication" /featurename:"IIS-WMICompatibility" /featurename:"IIS-ISAPIExtensions" /featurename:"IIS-ManagementScriptingTools" /featurename:"MSRDC-Infrastructure" /featurename:"IIS-ManagementService"
Install IIS Base Components on SCCM Distribution Point
Install IIS Base Components on SCCM Distribution Point

2. Reboot the distribution point server and then try distributing the content again. You can try sending a new package or application to the DP. The distribution point status should be checked before the content is distributed. Click on Monitoring and then click Distribution Point Configuration Status. Click the distribution point server, and you should see the status of the server as green.

3. Finally, check the message to see if the IIS configuration was successful. Check the message to see the content is distributed to the distribution point.

Still Need Help?

If you need further assistance on the above article or want to discuss other technical issues, check out some of these options.

Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.