This week, Microsoft rolled out a series of security updates for Windows 11 and its other products, which many users promptly installed to keep their systems safe from vulnerabilities. However, if you’ve recently applied the update on your Windows 11 device, you might have noticed something curious following the mandatory system restart: a new folder named “inetpub” popping up at the root of your C drive in File Explorer.
This is not just a minor detail—especially if you’re someone who likes to keep tabs on what’s happening under the hood of your computer. The creation timestamp of this directory coincides perfectly with the time of the update installation. When you delve deeper into this folder, what do you find? Absolutely nothing—it’s empty.
What might cause a sense of unease is that Microsoft didn’t even address this folder’s existence in the update’s changelog. So, what’s the purpose of this mysterious new folder? If you have some experience with Windows, you might remember that “inetpub” was once the go-to default directory for Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), which is used to serve web content. But before you panic, there’s something reassuring to note: if you dig into your installed features, there’s a good chance you’ll find that Internet Information Services is not enabled by default. That means this update didn’t automatically set up IIS on your system, which helps quell concerns about unwanted changes occurring without your consent.
Reports have surfaced from various users corroborating the appearance of the inetpub folder on their Windows 11 systems running version 24H2 after they installed the update KB5055523. The team at Neowin also shared their findings, stirring the conversation further about this enigmatic folder.
Now, you might be asking, “What exactly happened here?” Unfortunately, Microsoft hasn’t yet responded to inquiries about this unexpected situation, leaving many wondering why such a folder would be created after an update. It’s possible that it stems from a glitch or bug in the update process—these things do happen, especially with complex software updates where a lot of moving parts come into play.
If this folder is causing you concern or clutter, rest assured that it’s not under any protective measures. You can easily bid farewell to it by right-clicking on the folder and selecting “delete” or simply pressing the delete key after you’ve highlighted it in File Explorer.
Keep in mind, though, that the root cause of this folder’s sudden emergence is still a mystery. There’s a chance it could make a reappearance after future updates, including the next security patch for Windows 11. So, if you see it pop back up, you’ll know you’re not alone in this peculiar situation.
In navigating this uncharted territory, it’s essential to stay informed and, when necessary, take action to keep your PC in the best shape possible. After all, it’s your device, and understanding what’s going on behind the scenes helps you maintain control over your digital space.
