These Options settings are typically used with mod_rewrite code in .htaccess files.

FollowSymLinks or SymLinksIfOwnerMatch *must* be set before you can use mod_rewrite -- as described in the mod_rewrite documentation at Apache.org. If neither of these options has been set, you will get a 500-Server error when attempting to use any mod_rewrite directive.

MultiViews --also termed "content-negotiation"-- controls the mod_negotiation module which can also "rewrite" requests and which can override and interfere with mod_rewrite, causing mod_rewrite rules to appear to fail. If the MultiViews option is not needed for your site to function, I suggest that you disable it as shown.

I also suggest setting "-Indexes" as well, unless you want users to be able to see directory listings of subdirectories on your server when no "index file" is present in that subdirectory.

All of these settings can also be made in the higher-level server configuration files. If you are on shared hosting, your host may have already configured these settings.

If they are already set to
Options +FollowSymLinks -Indexes -Multiviews
then there's no need to to do it again in your .htaccess file(s).

You may not be allowed to change these settings if you are shared hosting; The only way to find out is to try setting these Options, browse to a Web page on your site, and then check the server error log if you get an error while doing so.

All Apache Options are listed and explained in the "Apache core" documentation at Apache.org

In order to use the Options directive in .htaccess, "AllowOverride Options" or "AllowOverride All" must be set at the server configuration level. The AllowOverride directive is also documented in the Apace core documentation.

Jim

Thank you for your helpful reply