A virtual directory in Plesk allows you to map a URL path to a physical directory location, enabling flexible website structure and content organization. This guide walks you through creating and configuring a virtual directory with appropriate permissions and application settings.

How to do it

  1. Step 1: Access Virtual Directories

    Login to Plesk and locate the domain for which you wish to create the virtual directory. Click on 'Virtual Directories'.

  2. Step 2: Navigate to target location

    Go to the directory where you want to create the virtual directory.

  3. Step 3: Initiate creation

    Click on the option 'Create Virtual Directory'.

  4. Step 4: Configure basic settings

    Under the 'Virtual Directory' section, in the text box 'Name', enter the name of the virtual directory.

    Tick the 'Path' check box to create a physical directory automatically with the same name as the virtual directory. Alternatively, you can clear the check box and specify the path in the text box to use an existing physical directory.

  5. Step 5: Set permissions

    Configure the following permissions as needed:

    • Script source access: Tick this check box to enable users to access the source code if read and write permissions are enabled.
    • Read permission: Tick this check box to enable users to read the file content and their associated properties.
    • Write permission: Tick this check box to enable users to upload files to the virtual directory or edit existing write-enabled files.
    • Directory browsing: Tick this check box to enable users to see an index of files and directories in the virtual directory.
    • Log visits: Tick this check box to log and save visitor information for the virtual directory.

  6. Step 6: Configure application settings

    Under the 'Application Settings' section, select the 'Create application' check box to make the directory an IIS application. When this option is enabled, the directory becomes independent from the website.

    In the list box 'Execute permissions', select the level of program execution needed for your virtual directory.

  7. Step 7: Finalize creation

    Click on 'OK'. Plesk will create the virtual directory with your specified configuration.