It’s common knowledge that Windows updates can be full of surprises, whether it’s your AI assistant behaving unexpectedly or your Start menu changing overnight. In a twist during the April 2025 update, a perplexing new folder made its debut on many users’ systems.
Understanding the “inetpub”Windows Folder as a Security Measure
On April 8, 2025, Microsoft released the Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11, which included the KB5055523 (24H2) update. Shortly after, numerous reports from users, including a detailed Windows Latest article and discussions on Reddit, highlighted the sudden appearance of an empty folder known as inetpub on the C: drive for many users.
Despite its empty nature, many users felt an initial wave of alarm upon discovering this unexpected folder. Nevertheless, the inetpub folder is tied to a Windows feature called Internet Information Services (IIS). This software allows developers to host web pages locally on their PCs, serving primarily for testing or internal tools. Typically, users must enable the IIS option manually via the Turn Windows features on or off menu to create this folder.
With the April update, however, Microsoft automatically installed the folder on all systems, regardless of whether the IIS feature was active. Many users opted to delete it promptly; however, Windows Latest reported that Microsoft confirmed the folder’s creation was intentional, meant to address an underlying security vulnerability.
This folder’s existence relates directly to a security fix for a vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21204, which could allow unauthorized modifications to system files or folders. Although encountering an unfamiliar folder isn’t a critical issue, the lack of information about its inclusion in the release notes raised concerns among users.
In response to the growing confusion, Microsoft updated the April 2025 Patch Tuesday support article to clarify that the inetpub folder was not a mistake, and that it serves an important purpose:
After installing this update or a later Windows update, a new %systemdrive%\inetpub folder will be created on your device. This folder should not be deleted regardless of whether Internet Information Services (IIS) is enabled on the target device. This behavior is part of changes that increase protection and does not require any action from IT admins and end users. For more information, see CVE-2025-21204.
While it’s understandable if you removed the inetpub folder upon first noticing it, especially given Microsoft’s initial omission of its purpose, the recommendation is to keep it intact. If you’d like to restore the folder, you can do so by enabling the Internet Information Services through the Turn Windows Features on or off feature. Alternatively, you could uninstall the April 2025 update, check for new updates, and then reinstall the update. You might also choose to wait for the next cumulative update, which should reinstall the folder automatically.
In the realm of software updates, transparency is vital. The April 2025 update has brought user confusion regarding this mysterious folder, but knowing its purpose as a security measure may alleviate some concerns for Windows 11 users.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the inetpub folder that appeared in Windows 11?
The inetpub folder is linked to the Internet Information Services (IIS) feature, which provides a platform for hosting web pages locally. With the April 2025 update, this folder was automatically created on systems to address a security vulnerability.
2. Is it safe to delete the inetpub folder?
While the inetpub folder can be deleted, it is not recommended. Microsoft has confirmed that it is part of a security patch for a vulnerability and should remain intact to ensure system protection.
3. How can I restore the inetpub folder if I accidentally deleted it?
You can restore the inetpub folder by enabling Internet Information Services (IIS) through the Turn Windows features on or off panel. Alternatively, reinstalling the April 2025 updates may also restore the folder.
Leave a Reply ▼