How to specify root (/) location in web.config?

Question

How does one specify root location in web.config to allow unauthenticated users access it?

The root location is served by default.aspx, but users normally don't see default.aspx, they just see http://mysite.com/.

So I've added

  <location path="~/default.aspx">
    <system.web>
      <authorization>
        <allow users="*"/>
      </authorization>
    </system.web>
  </location>

Which works if user hits mysite.com/default.aspx, but if user hits mysite.com/ - he is still redirected to login page.

I've tried <location path="~"> (does not help) and also <location path="~/">, <location path=""> (site fails completely) and could not make it work.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

If you only want to let unauthenticated users to access default.aspx you can use

  <location path="Default.aspx">
    <system.web>
      <authorization>
        <allow users="*"/>
      </authorization>
    </system.web>
  </location>

before <system.web> and set that page as default in your web server.
In Visual Studio you can select the page and "Set As Start Page".

If you want to allow access to all the files in the root you have to create folders where you put your pages which need to be accessed by authenticated users.

You can create a Secure folder where you can put all your protected pages and change your web.config this way:

  <location path="Secure">
    <system.web>
      <authorization>
        <deny users="?"/>
      </authorization>
    </system.web>
  </location>

removing

    <authorization>
        <deny users="?"/>
    </authorization>

Answer 2

only use

<location path=".">
<system.web>
  <authorization>
    <allow users="*"/>
  </authorization>
</system.web>

or don't write path,because the default path is root(.)

Answer 3

You probably use a forms authentification no?

<authentication mode="Forms">
   <forms loginUrl="~/Default.aspx" />
</authentication>

This will solve your problem. An alternative is:

  <location path="~/Default.aspx">
    <system.web>
      <authorization>
        <allow users="*"/>
      </authorization>
    </system.web>
  </location>

Answer 4

If you want to specify the root of the directory, use <location path="" >