[How To] Allow / Disallow Directory Browsing

dynaweb · 02-21-2007, 12:17 AM

Most servers are configured so that directory browsing is not allowed. This means that if a certain web directory does not contain an index (or default) file, then an error message will be displayed in the web browser.

If Directory Browsing is enabled, then the contents of the directory will be shown in the browser and you can click freely on files and folders therein.

Disllow Directory Browsing
If you want to Disallow Directory Browsing on a server that allows it, create an .htaccess file in the web root directory and add the following line:

Code:

IndexIgnore */*

Allow Directory Browsing
If you want to Allow Directory Browsing on a server that dies nto allow it by default, create an .htaccess file in the web root directory and add the following line:

Code:

Options +Indexes

Remember that .htaccess files do not work on Windows Servers, so you will have to have your web host set the configuration for you. Have fun with your server and htaccess!

mike.fro · 02-21-2007, 12:17 AM

Very nice. Thanks for your contribution.

Killswitch · 02-21-2007, 10:49 AM

Thanks, I've always just placed index pages in my directories with little messages in each. This could save me alot of time.

mike.fro · 02-21-2007, 08:36 PM

Killswitch: A lot of people do that, in fact I used to do that.