Unexpected Folder Appearance After Update

In a surprising twist, Microsoft's April 2025 Patch Tuesday updates are resulting in the creation of an empty 'inetpub' folder on many users' C:\ drives, even on machines that aren't equipped with Internet Information Services (IIS).

What is IIS and Why is This Significant?

IIS, or Internet Information Services, is a web server developed by Microsoft, designed to host websites and web applications. Typically, IIS is not pre-installed on Windows systems, and the C:\inetpub directory is exclusively used for storing website content and logs when IIS is operational. However, with the latest update, this folder has begun appearing on systems where IIS isn't activated.

The Mystery of the 'inetpub' Folder

Following the installation of the Windows 11 KB5055523 update, users have reported this perplexing new folder appearing post-reboot. In our own tests, we confirmed the existence of this directory despite IIS being absent from the installed Windows Features.

What Does This Mean for Users?

The appearance of the C:\inetpub folder, owned by the SYSTEM account, suggests it was created through an elevated process linked to the update. While there’s no evidence that this folder affects system performance or stability, its sudden emergence has left many wondering if this is a glitch or a prelude to a new feature.

Microsoft's Silence and User Curiosity

BleepingComputer reached out to Microsoft for clarification on whether this folder creation was intended or an oversight. As of now, no response has been provided, leaving users in the dark about this curious addition to their systems.

In the meantime, users have noted that deleting the folder does not seem to lead to any issues while running Windows, providing a temporary workaround for those bothered by its existence.