If you’re a fellow Windows user, you’re likely familiar with certain frustrations that come with the operating system. Among them, the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) often leaves you with cryptic error codes that can drive anyone crazy. But that’s not all—there are other moments that make you double-take, such as unexplained folders appearing on your system, particularly in your C: drive.
A recent experience of mine involved stumbling across a strange, empty folder named “inetpub” sitting on my C: drive. I hadn’t created it, installed anything related to it, and had no idea what it was doing there. Naturally, alarm bells went off, and I found myself contemplating the worst-case scenario—has my system been compromised?
What Is “inetpub” and Why Is It On My PC?
Before you start considering a full system wipe, let’s clear things up. If your only symptom is the appearance of the “inetpub” folder, you likely don’t have anything to worry about. While it’s understandable to feel uneasy when unfamiliar folders show up, the “inetpub” folder is generally harmless, and there’s a good chance hackers aren’t behind its mysterious appearance.
In fact, this issue seems to be widespread following the April update for Windows 11 (version 24H2, KB5055523), and many users, including myself, have encountered it.
But what is “inetpub,” exactly?
“inetpub” is the default directory used by Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS). IIS is a web server that allows you to host websites directly from your Windows machine. However, IIS is typically not activated on most consumer systems, so you may never have encountered it unless you specifically set up a web server.
Why Is It Appearing Now?
The “inetpub” folder’s sudden appearance can be traced to the April 2025 update for Windows 11 (KB5055523). Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to offer a clear explanation or update about why this folder is showing up after the patch. The folder is simply left behind as an artifact of this update, likely triggered by some internal change related to IIS.
The good news is that this folder is not a sign of a security breach. It’s just an unexpected leftover from the update.
Should You Worry About “inetpub”?
While it might seem alarming at first glance, the “inetpub” folder is typically harmless. It’s not a virus, nor is it a result of a hacker gaining access to your system. If the folder doesn’t contain any files and is empty, there’s really no reason to panic.
Can I Delete the “inetpub” Folder? Yes, if you’re concerned or simply want to get rid of it, you can delete the “inetpub” folder without any adverse effects on your system. Microsoft has not provided any official guidance regarding the deletion of this folder, but based on the fact that it’s just an artifact from the update, removing it should not cause issues.
Conclusion
If you find the “inetpub” folder on your C: drive, rest assured it’s most likely harmless. It’s just a leftover from the recent Windows update and can be deleted without any impact on your system. While it’s always good to remain vigilant when you notice changes in your system, in this case, you can relax—there’s no need for a full system reset or a router sacrifice!
