Prepare environment

operating system windows 7+, sql server 2008+
control panel > program and features > turn windows feature on/off > IIS > Application Development Features > install all
download and install .NET Core SDK 2.x, Runtime 2.x, Windows Server Hosting (.exe) 2.x at https://www.microsoft.com/net/download/windows

Alternatively, we can install the Runtime & Hosting Bundle
open iis > root > modules, check aspnetcore module

Install website without source code

download nopCommerce - Web (no source) at https://www.nopcommerce.com/downloads.aspx
Enable IIS at Settings > Windows feature on/off
IIS > application pools > add a new application pool > CLR version - No Managed Code
unzip the dist files > IIS > sites > new a website > application pool is the new added one
open browser > navigate to the new website
sql server manage studio > create a new empty database
return to website > enter database credentials, set admin password
Test the website, login with admin password

Install visual studio 2017
download nopCommerce - source code at https://www.nopcommerce.com/downloads.aspx
unzip and open the solution > nop.web project > App_Data > create dataSettings.json > change the connection string.
```
 {
   "DataProvider": "sqlserver",
   "DataConnectionString": "Data Source=(local);Initial Catalog=nopCommerce;Integrated Security=true;Persist Security Info=False;",
   "RawDataSettings": {}
 }
```
Here we assume the nopCommerce database was already created. If not, follow the previous installation instruction to initialize the database tables.

If you already have a exisitng database, please specify the proper connection string.
visual studio > set nop.web project as startup > run

try to install URL write extension for iis