msdeploy error ERROR_USER_UNAUTHORIZED: Web deployment task failed. using IIS7, TFS2010, VS2012

Question

Using Visual Studio 2012, TFS 2010, IIS7

Getting the following errors when I try to build/deploy:

Any CPU | Test
1 error(s), 1 warning(s)

C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v11.0\Web\Microsoft.Web.Publishing.targets      
(4253): Web deployment task failed. (Connected to the remote computer ("server1") using
the Web Management Service, but could not authorize. Make sure that you are using the 
correct user name and password, that the site you are connecting to exists, and that 
the credentials represent a user who has permissions to access the site. Learn more 
at: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=221672#ERROR_USER_UNAUTHORIZED.)

*snip warning*

Other Errors and Warnings
2 error(s), 0 warning(s)
Building the projects in this solution one at a time. To enable parallel build, please 
add the "/m" switch.
TF270015: 'MSBuild.exe' returned an unexpected exit code. Expected '0'; actual '1'.

• I verified the site exists in IIS
• I verified I have username and password correct (I'm able to log onto server)
• User is an admin on tfs server

I don't have VS2012 on my tfs server, but someone copied their C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v11.0 folder to the tfs server to fix another build issue a while back. I copied the same folder to "server1", did not change the error message.

It still creates the build, just does not deploy.

Answer 1

We were able to resolve the issue by the following steps:

• Highlight the website in IIS Manager
• In the Features view, open up IIS Manager Permissions
• Verify that the user you are deploying as has been added. If not, click Allow User and add it.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

This can happen if you specify the wrong site name. You have to enter the name as it appears in the IIS Connections, e.g. Default Web Site.