Umbraco

Umbraco 8.18.15 Setup Guide on Windows Server 2025

1. Download Required Files

• Source code (.ZIP): Umbraco 8.18.15 Source

• NuGet package (.nupkg): UmbracoCms 8.18.15

• NuGet CLI: nuget.exe

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2. Install IIS and Visual Studio 2019

Visual Studio 2019 workloads

• ASP.NET and web development

• .NET desktop development

Required components

• .NET Framework 4.7.2 SDK

• .NET Framework 4.8 SDK

• IIS Express

• MSBuild

IIS Server Roles

• Common HTTP Features

• Application Development

  • .NET Extensibility 4.8

  • ASP.NET 4.8

  • ISAPI Extensions

  • ISAPI Filters

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3. Restore & Build the Project

1. Move nuget.exe to C:\tools\.

2. Extract the source code .zip to C:\umbraco8.

3. Restore NuGet Packages

cd C:\umbraco8\src
C:\tools\nuget.exe restore

1. Open C:\umbraco8\src\umbraco.sln in Visual Studio 2019

2. Right-click the solution → Restore NuGet Packages (again from VS)

3. Build the solution

4. Verify IIS is installed and running:

C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe list site

1. Publish Umbraco

• Right-click Umbraco.Web.UI → Publish

• More actions → Connection → Publish method: File System

• Target location: C:\inetpub\umbraco8

• Click Publish

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4. Fix Missing Static Files

The source code build does not include some installer static assets (CSS, JS, images). To fix:

1. Rename the NuGet package:

UmbracoCms.8.18.15.nupkg → UmbracoCms.8.18.15.zip

1. Extract the .zip file.

2. Copy only the static files from:

.\UmbracoFiles\*

to:

C:\inetpub\umbraco8

Important: Do NOT overwrite bin or config files. Only copy folders like Views, css, js, images, etc. This ensures the installer runs without breaking dependencies.

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5. Add Website in IIS

1. Right-click Sites → Add Website…

   • Site name: umbraco8

   • Physical path: C:\inetpub\umbraco8

   • Port: 8888

2. Grant IIS AppPool modify permissions:

icacls C:\inetpub\umbraco8 /grant "IIS AppPool\umbraco8:(OI)(CI)M" /T

1. Ensure IIS_IUSRS or Network Service has read access to the webroot.

2. Start the website and visit: http://localhost:8888 → you should see the Umbraco installation page.

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Common Issues / Debugging

Problem	Solution
White page with "A server error occurred"	Missing JS/CSS → copy full UmbracoFiles from NuGet. (Step 4)
Cannot access site externally	Configure Windows Firewall to allow inbound traffic on port 8888.
Database connection fails	Ensure SQL Server is installed, running, and credentials are correct.
Permission errors	Ensure AppPool user has full control on C:\inetpub\umbraco8.