How to Delete a SharePoint Web Application?

SharePoint Web Applications are actually IIS Containers at the top level. Each web application we create from SharePoint creates a respective site in IIS and a content database in SQL Server. They can be deleted using the Central Administration site or PowerShell.

To delete a SharePoint 2016 Web Application, follow these steps:

  1. Open SharePoint 2016 Central Administration Site.
  2. Click on the “Manage web applications” link under “Application Management”.
  3. Select your target web application, and from the ribbon, click on the Delete button.
    how to delete a web application in sharepoint 2013
  4. Specify whether you would like to delete the content databases and IIS web sites.
    how to delete a sharepoint web application
  5. Confirm the Prompt once to delete a web application in SharePoint 2013 and your web application will be deleted momentarily.

This removes the specified web application from the SharePoint farm.

SharePoint delete web application zone:

To delete the SharePoint web application extension, From SharePoint Central Administration:

  1. Click on Administration Management >> Manage Web Applications
  2. Select the web application you wish to remove the extended zone from >> Click on the Delete button drop-down and choose “Remove SharePoint from IIS Web Site”.
  3. Select the IIS web site & zone to remove (make sure it’s not your “Default” zone!).
  4. Set the value for “Delete IIS web sites” to “Yes” and click OK to delete the web application zone.
    sharepoint delete web application zone

To delete a SharePoint web application using PowerShell, use this script: Delete SharePoint web application using PowerShell

Salaudeen Rajack

Salaudeen Rajack - Information Technology Expert with Two-decades of hands-on experience, specializing in SharePoint, PowerShell, Microsoft 365, and related products. He has held various positions including SharePoint Architect, Administrator, Developer and consultant, has helped many organizations to implement and optimize SharePoint solutions. Known for his deep technical expertise, He's passionate about sharing the knowledge and insights to help others, through the real-world articles!

2 thoughts on “How to Delete a SharePoint Web Application?

  • Hi Salaudeen

    could you advice? is it safe to delete the web application first when there are some farm solutions that are deployed to this web application? or should I retract and remove these solutions first?

    Thanks in advance for your advices

    Swanl

    Reply
    • Farm solutions are stored in the Config Database. When you create a new web app, they’ll be deployed automatically. Deleting a web application doesn’t have any impact on the Farm solutions – AFAIK.

      Reply

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