SharePoint V3: Move Web Application's Virtual Directory Location

Description:

You do not like the location of a MOSS web application's virtual directory. For example, maybe it was originally configured in a default location (e.g. C:\Inetpub\WWWRoot\WSS\VirtualDirectories\). Whatever the case, you would like to move a MOSS web application's virtual directory to a new location.

Solution:

* Backup the source web application and associated site collections (e.g. SQL backup, stsadm site collection backup)
* Create a new web application
Central Admin > Application Management > Create or Extend Web Application
* In the "Create New Web Application" screen, configure the IIS Web Site path to point to the desired location (e.g. D:\VirtualDirectories\)
* Give the new web application a temporary URL (e.g. http://server:port).
* Migrate the content database of the source web application, or restore the site collections of the source web application to the new web application
* Remove the IIS host headers from the source web application, give the source web application a temporary URL (e.g. http://server:port).
* Remove the External URL and alternate access mappings of the source web application.
* Configure IIS host headers on the new web application.
* Configure External URL and alternate access mappings on new web application.
* Delete the source web application.

At this point the web application is restored and has the desired virtual directory file location.