SP2013 New Feature - Minimal Download Feature

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Noticed an interesting feature with SharePoint 2013 when I was working on a InfoPath case. Thought of sharing with you guys!

When you create an OOB site collection and browse it in
SharePoint 2013, the URL redirect to “_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Home.aspx”
 instead of “SitePages/Home.aspx ”

The _layouts/15/start.aspx# is appearing with every request which is completely different from SPS2010 site.

 

This is because of a new feature in SharePoint 2010 called “Minimal
Download Strategy “. This feature is activated by default to team sites,
community sites etc. This feaure introduced in SP2013 for increasing the site
performance.

You can activate or deactivate the feature using PowerShell
also.

$web=Get-SPWeb -Identity https://<spweb>

$web.EnableMinimalDownload=1 /*
To activate feature */

$web.Update()

This feature might cause issues like access denied as
anonymous users do not have access to _layouts folder by default. If this
feature is enabled and you deploy SharePoint content or InfoPath forms for
anonymous users, users might experience access denied issues.

 

For example, you deploy and anonymous InfoPath form and
activate the Limited-access user permission lockdown mode Feature ( This
is a site feature in SP2013), anonymous users might get access denied error

This feature is not available with publishing sites.

 

If you want your URL to be appeared as normal like in SP2010
, you need to disable this feature from Site settingsàSite AdministrationàManage
Site features or using PowerShell

Once you disable this feature, SharePoint will re-direct
your requests correctly. Eg : https://sp2013sps/sites/MDSTest/SitePages/Home.aspx instead of https://sp2013sps/sites/MDSTest/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/SitePages/Home.aspx

 

More Information about this feature you can find here

 

- https://blogs.technet.com/b/wbaer/archive/2012/11/12/introduction-to-minimal-download-strategy-in-sharepoint-2013.aspx

<https://www.wictorwilen.se/sharepoint-2013---introduction-to-the-minimal-download-strategy-mds>

 

 

Enjoy 2013 !!