- April’s update for Windows 11 24h2 created a mysterious empty folder
- Some advised that this could be eliminated, but this is not really the case
- If you eliminate the ‘Inetpub’ folder, a safety solution applied by the April patch will not work, so it must restore it if it eliminates the folder
Windows 11 24h2 users who were confused by a mysterious empty folder that appears in the unit of their system after applying the latest update of the operating system must take into account that this is not an error, but an intentional movement, and that folder should not be eliminated.
In case it has been lost, last week Windows 11 24h2 received its accumulated update for April 2025, and created a ‘Inetpub’ folder that was the source of some bewilderment or discomfort for those who noticed it.
It can also remember that some people reported that it was fine to eliminate the folder, not an unreasonable conclusion to reach it, since it was empty, it did not seem to do anything and was related to the Microsoft Web Information Web Servants (IIS) of Microsoft for developers (and it was appearing for those who did not have IIS installed).
Even so, at that time, I advised that he eliminated him at his own risk and that he could be alone, since he was empty and seemed harmless (and also because he never knows what is happening with Windows). It seems that he was right, since Microsoft has now warned against the elimination of the folder, as noted from the beginning.
Microsoft told Windows Last that the folder is created as part of a safety solution for vulnerability that “may allow local attackers to deceive the system to access or modify unintended files or folders.”
In his notice for this security patch, Microsoft points out: “After installing the updates that appear in the security updates table for their operating system, a new [inetpub folder] will be created in your [system drive]. This folder should not be eliminated, regardless of whether Internet information services (IIS) are active in the destination device. This behavior is part of the changes that increase protection and do not require any action of IT administrators and end users. “
In short, it doesn’t matter if you use IIS or not, you must leave this folder alone. Without the folder present, the mentioned security hole will remain present in Windows 11, offering the attackers a potential opportunity to compromise their PC (at least if they are local for the device, which means they have physical access).
Analysis: What happens if I have already eliminated the folder?
This is a strange matter, and I assumed that this was a mistake when I wrote about him last week, since it seemed a strange way to implement a security solution. Of course, what Microsoft should have done is very clear in the notes of the version for this patch that creates the folder and that users must leave it alone (while it is empty and harmless).
However, as I observed, it is better to proceed with caution when playing with Windows. The particularly strange thing about this issue is that there are reports in the past of this same folder that is being created, so perhaps this was part of the implementation of security patches in these cases too, who knows.
What happens if you have already eliminated the folder? Well, in that case, you must restore it, and Windows is available with the solution. You need to open the control PanelThen enter Programs> programs and characteristics. On the left, you will see an option for ‘Activate or disable Windows features’ – Click this. Move down on the alphabetical list of features and search ‘Internet information services‘And mark the box next to this, then click on the OK button.
The folder will now be recreated. If you eliminated it last week, be sure to complete these steps.
