Permanent 301 Resource Redirects with Windows IIS 6 & 7 Web Servers

To leave an unused website in place while making sure to properly redirect to a new site, follow these steps:

1. Log into the desired server's Remote Desktop (you will need administrator permissions for this).

2. Open the IIS Manager (Start --> Administrative Tools --> Internet Information Services Manager).

3. Expand the server.

4. Expand the web sites.

5. Find your site in the list and right-click the site name - Choose Properties.

6. Switch to the Home Directory tab and look for the radio buttons under the heading "The content for this resource should come from:" The current selection will be "A directory located on this computer".  Change it to "A redirection to a URL".

7. In the field for "Redirect To", enter the exact URL (including http or https, as the case may be) to send the site visitor to.

8. Check the box labled "The exact URL entered above"

9. Check the box labeled "A permanent redirection for this resource".

10. Click "Apply"

11. Click "OK" to close the properties window.

12. That's it.  Now go and test to make sure it behaves as you intended.  If it doesn't, go back and re-check all of these steps.