How to specify a custom location for the isolated configuration file in Internet Information Services 7.0

This article describes how to specify a custom location for the isolated configuration file in Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Application pool isolation is a new feature in IIS 7.0. An isolated configuration file is automatically created before a new application pool is started. The isolated configuration file contains the settings for all the applications that are hosted in the application pool.

The default location of the isolated configuration file is the following directory:You may want to use a custom location instead of the default location. To specify a custom location for the isolated configuration file, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WAS
3. Right-click the details pane, point to New, and then click String Value.
4. Type ConfigIsolationPath, and then press ENTER.
5. Right-click ConfigIsolationPath, and then click Modify.
6. In the Value box, type the path of the custom location that you want to use, and then click OK.
   
   Note Because of a current limitation, the path must be at least 15 characters.
7. Start an elevated command prompt.
8. Type net stop was /y, and then press ENTER.
9. Type net start w3svc, and then press ENTER.
   
   Note After you modify the registry, you must stop and then restart the Windows Process Activation Service (WAS). This behavior also restarts the Web applications on the computer.