>I have a web-server application that I would like to make easier for users to install. Is there a way to test for and create virtual folders programmatically, and to set their permissions, so that newbies won't have to learn to use Internet Services Manager to do it manually?

Yes you can do that quite easily. I wrote an article about this a long time back in 98. You can find it here:

http://www.west-wind.com/presentations/IISadmin.htm

It's old but it all still applies.

+++ Rick ---