Configuring Authentication Methods (Windows, Forms, Basic) in IIS
Jul 09, 2025 am 12:51 AMWindows authentication is suitable for internal applications and is automatically authenticated through domain accounts; the steps are to open IIS Manager, select a site, enable Windows authentication, and ensure HTTPS is used. Forms authentication is suitable for custom login pages. You need to configure the login URL and timeout time in web.config, and develop a login page to verify users, encrypt your password and use HTTPS. Basic authentication is lightweight but not secure. It is only used when HTTPS is enabled. It needs to be enabled in IIS and cooperate with local or domain accounts. Password leakage is often caused by ignoring HTTPS.
Setting up authentication methods in IIS isn't hard, but you need to know which one fits your situation. Here's a straightforward breakdown of how to configure Windows, Forms, and Basic authentication in IIS — what they do, when to use them, and how to set them up properly.

Windows Authentication – Best for Internal Apps
This method checks the user's Windows credentials automatically. It's ideal for internal company apps where users are already signed into a domain.

To enable it:
- Open IIS Manager
- Select your site or app
- Go to "Authentication" under IIS section
- Right-click "Windows Authentication" and select "Enable"
One thing to watch: if you're using this over the internet, make sure you have HTTPS set up. Also, some browsers (like Chrome) may not handle Windows auth as smoothly as Edge or Firefox in certain settings.

Forms Authentication – For Custom Login Pages
This is the go-to option if you want your own login form and manage users separately from Windows accounts.
You'll need to configure it in the web.config
file. Here's a basic setup:
<authentication mode="Forms"> <forms loginUrl="~/Login.aspx" timeout="30" /> </authentication>
What this does:
- Redirects unauthenticated users to your login page
- Sets a cookie after successful login
- Times out after 30 minutes by default
You also need to create a login page that validates users — usually against a database. Make sure to hash passwords and use HTTPS to protect credentials.
Basic Authentication – Lightweight but Insecure Without HTTPS
Basic auth sends username and password in base64 encoding — so it's only safe if used with HTTPS.
To enable:
- Turn on "Basic Authentication" in IIS Manager like with Windows auth
- You'll also need a user store; it can work with local or domain accounts
A common gotcha: many people forget to enforce HTTPS, leaving passwords exposed. If you must use Basic auth, always pair it with SSL.
Each method has its place: Windows for intranet apps, Forms for custom web apps with their own user system, and Basic for lightweight APIs — but only with HTTPS.
Basically that's it.
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