A "The remote server returned an error: (403) Forbidden" Error Occurs When Testing the Workflow Web Service URLs in the Workflow Configuration Manager.

October 27, 2017 | KB: 1013808
Workflow 10

Summary

If you are unable to test the Workflow Web Designer after installation, it may mean that the WorkflowWebDesignerAppPool was not created during installation on Windows 10.

Go to the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager and see if the WorkflowWebDesignerAppPool is running. If you do not see the application pool, you have to create the WorkflowWebDesignerAppPool.

Do one of the following:

  • Run a PowerShell script to automate the process. See workaround 1
  • Create the application pool through the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. See workaround 2

Workaround 1

Use a PowerShell script to automatically create the application pool.

  1. Click the following link to download the script.

    2. PowerShell script

  2. Save the script to a temporary location.
  3. Right-click on the script.
  4. Click Run with PowerShell.
  5. The new application pool is now available.

Workaround 2

Manually create a new application pool.

  1. Open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager as an administrator.
  2. On the Actions Pane on the right, click View Application Pools. On the same Pane, click Add Application Pool.
  3. Enter "WorkflowWebDesignerAppPool" in Name.
  4. Select ".NET CLR Version v4.0.XXXXX" in the .NET CLR version.
  5. Set the managed pipeline mode to Integrated.
  6. Leave the Start application pool immediately checkbox selected.
  7. Click OK.
  8. The new application pool is now available.