Enabling Only Essential MIME Types (IIS 6.0)
IIS 6.0 serves only the static files with extensions that are registered in the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) types list. IIS 6.0 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, independently of one another or the types defined globally. IIS also allows you to change, remove, or configure additional MIME types. You must create a corresponding MIME type entry for any static content file extensions used by the Web sites hosted by IIS that are not defined in the MIME types list.
For example, a Web site or application might include static content with an extension that is not included in the default set of global MIME types. To allow the Web server to serve the new static content, you must add the extension to the MIME types list.
Tip
If the appropriate MIME type entries are not created in the MIME types list, the Web server returns a 404 error to the client when attempting to serve unknown static content types. When the 404 error is returned as a result of an unknown MIME type, a 404.3 error entry is placed in the IIS log. For more information about troubleshooting IIS, see Troubleshooting in IIS 6.0.
Configure the MIME types by completing the following steps:
1. | For each static file type used by your Web sites and applications, ensure that an entry exists in the MIME types list. When your application uses the standard MIME types that are included in IIS 6.0, no new entry is required in the MIME types list. For information about how to add 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 function properly on the server. |
