Windows 11 Update Creates Mysterious ‘inetpub’ Folder on Your PC – Here’s Why It’s No Big Deal

If you’re a Windows 11 user and you’ve recently installed the April 2025 update for version 24H2, you may have noticed something strange: a folder called ‘inetpub’ appearing on your system drive, typically the C: drive. You’re not alone – many users, including those at Windows Latest, have reported the mysterious presence of this seemingly empty folder after the update.

While the sight of a new, unexplained folder on your computer can be alarming, rest assured that this folder is harmless. In fact, there’s no need to panic. Here's everything you need to know about why it's appearing, and why it's not a threat to your system.

What is the ‘inetpub’ Folder and Why Did It Appear?

The inetpub folder is part of Internet Information Services (IIS), Microsoft's web server software primarily used by developers to test web pages locally on their machines. The folder is typically used for storing things like web pages and web server files. It’s a standard part of IIS, but don’t worry – unless you’re a developer running IIS on your machine, this folder should not normally be there.

The mystery arises with the latest Windows 11 update, which seems to have erroneously created this empty folder on many users’ system drives. The folder itself doesn’t contain anything, so it’s essentially empty and inactive, causing confusion without causing any harm.

Is This a Sign of a Virus or Malware?

It’s understandable to be concerned when you see something new and unexpected on your PC, especially when it comes to system files and folders. After all, unfamiliar files are often associated with viruses or malware infections. However, the appearance of the inetpub folder has been confirmed as a bug related to the April update, not a virus.

According to Windows Latest, there’s no malicious software behind the folder’s creation. Microsoft likely made some tweaks to IIS components within the update, which triggered the inetpub folder’s accidental creation on machines that don't use IIS. It’s a harmless glitch, and once the update completes, it’s safe to delete the folder without any repercussions.

Can You Safely Delete the ‘inetpub’ Folder?

Yes, you can safely delete the inetpub folder if it’s bothering you. It has no function and doesn’t contain any important files. Windows Latest has deleted the folder from their systems without any issues, and many other users have done the same. However, if you’re concerned or prefer not to risk it, you can leave it there as it’s not doing anything harmful.

For those of you more comfortable with minimalism on your system, removing the folder is perfectly fine. Keep in mind, however, that this folder may reappear at some point in the future. This is not the first time this bug has occurred, and there have been historical reports of the inetpub folder randomly showing up on Windows systems after various updates. If it returns, you might end up playing a sort of ‘inetpub whack-a-mole’ until Microsoft addresses the issue permanently.

Why is This Bug Happening?

As we’ve seen, this bug seems to be linked to changes made to IIS components in Windows 11, particularly within the April 2025 cumulative update. The update likely made a modification to IIS-related storage that inadvertently created the empty inetpub folder on users' drives.

While this is a benign bug, the appearance of such random folders can be frustrating, especially when users expect more stability from their systems. The issue is widespread, with many users noticing the bug soon after updating their systems, and discussions about the inetpub folder have already popped up on Reddit and other online forums.

Will Microsoft Fix This Bug?

This appears to be another in a series of quirky bugs that have plagued Windows 11 since its release. While it’s unlikely to be harmful, it’s certainly inconvenient and confusing for those who don’t know what the folder is. Fortunately, it looks like Microsoft is aware of the issue, and it’s hoped that they will release a fix in a future update. Until then, it seems that deleting the folder is the most straightforward solution.

No Need to Panic, But Keep an Eye on It

For now, there’s no need to panic if you’ve encountered the mysterious inetpub folder on your system. This is a temporary bug that appears to be related to a change in the IIS software as part of the April update for Windows 11. The folder doesn’t do anything harmful and can be safely deleted if it bothers you. However, since it’s popped up before, it might reappear later.

If you’re someone who prefers to play it safe, leaving the empty folder on your system is entirely up to you. In the meantime, hopefully Microsoft will address this glitch in an upcoming patch, and you won’t need to worry about the strange folder any longer.