So you’ve installed Windows SharePoint Server (WSS) 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server 2008 R2 successfully. You’ve created a web application and a site collection using a template, let’s say a Team Site. And you’ve managed get it run.
First, let me explain my WSS environment:
- WSS 3.0 SP2
- Windows Server 2008 R2. Yes, it’s 64-bit edition, it’s the only option
- SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition SP1
- Internet Explorer 8 for viewing WSS site
Now, if you have a Document Library inside that just created site, open it. It will look like this:
One of neat features of WSS 3.0 (and MOSS 2007) is the ability to browse, open, create, delete file and folder in the Document Library using Windows Explorer as if it were a shared network drive. This article explains the detail and how to do it: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepointtechnology/HA100929191033.aspx?pid=CH100649441033, and this video: ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywsdnYfHATs
So, you click 
menu in that Document library, and click Open with Windows Explorer, as shown below. See what happen?
If your environment is like mine, you will probably encounter this error: “Your client does not support opening this list with Windows Explorer.”, as shown below.
That error never happened when I install WSS 3.0 on Windows Server 2008 (not R2). How to solve it?
Some refer to this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923906. It’s no good as it’s for solving Internet Explorer 6 issue. Others refer to this http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=17C36612-632E-4C04-9382-987622ED1D64&displaylang=en. It’s also no good since it’s for Windows XP/Vista.
Enabling WebDAV Client Service
If you haven’t know yet, “Open with Windows Explorer” feature is implemented using WebDAV protocol, so it relies on a WebDAV client service (i.e. WebClient). By default, that service is not installed on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Many blogs talk about this, such as: http://ari.provoke.co.nz/archive/2009/02/02/enabling-open-with-windows-explorer-in-windows-server-2008.aspx.
Basically, you need to install the “Desktop Experience” feature. This can be done by navigating to Server Manager > Features > Add Feature > Desktop Experience (requires reboot). Then, make sure WebClient service is Started. You can set Startup Type to Automatic. More step by step guidance is here.
It’s Not Enough, More Steps
Turns out it’s not enough. For Windows Server 2008 R2, you need to perform additional steps:
1. Open IIS Manager, navigate to your WSS site (WSS web application). In my example, the WSS site is PM Central. Then, double click to Modules.
You’ll see modules list like this. Do you notice there is WebDAVModule?
2. Remove WebDAVModule, by right clicking to it and click Remove.
Now, refresh your Document Library (off course from Internet Explorer). Try “Open with Windows Explorer” again. Voilà, here come the great Windows Explorer displaying the content of Document Library.
I don’t know why this error happens. Whether it’s a bug or miss configuration, I don’t know. The fact you should know, although WSS uses WebDAV for implementing the browsing with Windows Explorer feature, it doesn’t need WebDAV support on IIS to be enabled. Seems like it has its own WebDAV implementation. In our case, somehow WebDAV on IIS cannot be co-existence with WSS WebDAV.
Map Network Drive
As a bonus, now you can map the Document Library to a drive.
1. From Windows Explorer, press Alt key to show menu bar.
2. Click Tools, then Map network drive, you’ll get:
3. Select Drive letter. For Folder, type something like this: http://[hostname]:[port]/[sitename]/[libraryname], where:
- hostname: you know what it is
- port: the port where WSS site is deployed
- sitename: optional
- libraryname: Document Library name
And, you’ll have Document Library mapped to local drive.
That’s it. Enjoy.