web.config file vs machine.config file in asp.net?

The Machine.Config file, which specifies the settings that are global to a particular machine. This file is located at the following path:

\WINNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\[Framework Version]\CONFIG\machine.config

As web.config file is used to configure one asp .net web application, same way Machine.config file is used to configure the application according to a particular machine. That is, configuration done in machine.config file is affected on any application that runs on a particular machine. Usually, this file is not altered and only web.config is used which configuring applications.


You can override settings in the Machine.Config file for all the applications in a particular Web site by placing a Web.Config file in the root directory of the Web site as follows: