How to get an ASP.NET MVC Ajax response to redirect to new page instead of inserting view into UpdateTargetId?

You can use JavascriptResult to achieve this.

To redirect:

return JavaScript("window.location = 'http://www.google.co.uk'");

To reload the current page:

return JavaScript("location.reload(true)");

Seems the simplest option.

You can return a JSON with the URL and change the window.location using JavaScript at client side. I prefer this way than calling a JavaScript function from the server, which I think that it's breaking the separation of concerns.

Server side:

return Json(new {result = "Redirect", url = Url.Action("ActionName", "ControllerName")});

Client side:

if (response.result == 'Redirect')
    window.location = response.url;

Of course you can add more logic because there could be an error on the server side and in that case the result property could indicate this situation and avoid the redirection.

While not elegant, works for me in certain situations.

Controller

if (RedirectToPage)
    return PartialView("JavascriptRedirect", new JavascriptRedirectModel("http://www.google.com"));
else
   ... return regular ajax partialview

Model

    public JavascriptRedirectModel(string location)
    {
        Location = location;
    }

    public string Location { get; set; }

/Views/Shared/JavascriptRedirect.cshtml

@model Models.Shared.JavascriptRedirectModel

<script type="text/javascript">
    window.location = '@Model.Location';
</script>