Setting File Attributes on Web Content Causes 404 - File Not Found Error

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This article was previously published under Q221553

We strongly recommend that all users upgrade to Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) version 7.0 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2008. IIS 7.0 significantly increases Web infrastructure security. For more information about IIS security-related topics, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/IIS.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/prodtech/IIS.mspx)

For more information about IIS 7.0, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.iis.net/default.aspx?tabid=1 (http://www.iis.net/default.aspx?tabid=1)

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SYMPTOMS

When you set the folder attributes to Hidden on a directory that resides in a Web folder, the following error message may occur:

404 - File Not Found

For example:

Set the folder attributes to Hidden on the WWWroot directory (provided you are still using the default directory).
Browse to the directory using your browser.
You should receive a 404 - File Not Found error.
Set the folder attribute back to its normal state (non-hidden).
You should now be able to browse to this site.