A curious empty file appeared in Windows following the update of the last patch Tuesday., By worrying many users. Microsoft finally explains that it is important, and that it should not be deleted. THANKS !
For several days, a small file with an enigmatic name has sowed confusion among Windows users. “Inetpub”, spotted after April update on Windows 10 and 11, appeared at the root of many hard drives. Empty and without official explanation at the start, it was immediately taken for an error or an unnecessary remaining of old features. Many thought they were doing well by deleting it. However, this trivial choice could weaken the safety of their system.
The InetPub folder is not new in the Windows universe. It is normally associated with IIS, a service used to accommodate websites. However, this time, even users who have never activated this service ended up with this file on their PC. It is neither a technical forgetfulness nor a badly uninstalled program residue, but a voluntary decision of Microsoft. The problem is that no one had been warned. Neither version notes nor the official documentation mentioned this change. Result: faced with this mysterious file, the majority of users preferred to get rid of it.
Inetpub: an empty file but not useless
This choice could have seemed judicious if the presence of Inetpub was not linked to a crucial element of Windows safety. Microsoft recently lifted the veil on this late decision. The file is actually an integral part of a security correction aimed at countering a serious flaw called CVE-2025-21204. This vulnerability used symbolic links to divert Windows Update processes and access protected files. Even empty, Inetpub serves as an anchoring point for the corrective, which without it, would lose its effectiveness.
Faced with growing questions, Microsoft ended up updating its documentation to specify that this file had to remain in place, regardless of the level of use of the IIS service on the machine. This slight delay in communication has something to cringe, especially for a company that regularly insists on the transparency of its updates. Many users had to report this apparent “bug” for the firm to clarify the situation.
If you have ever deleted the Inetpub file inadmissions, it is not too late to correct the shot. Just activate the IIS function briefly in Windows settings so that the system automatically recreates the essential folder. Once this is done, you can deactivate Iis, but make sure that the InetPub folder remains present on the disc because it could avoid some inconvenience in the future. For that :
- Open the Windows configuration panelpassing by the search for the taskbar.
- Click on the section Programsthen on Programs and features.
- Click on Activate or deactivate Windows features in the left list.
- In the window which then appears, check the box Internet Information Services and validate by clicking on OK.
- Windows will then automatically recreate the InetPub folder at the root of the main disk. Touched
The moral of this new episode is double. The approach, he proves that even an empty folder can play an essential role on a computer. Then, and above all, it shows if needed that Microsoft has a lot of trouble tinning the Windows updates – yes, we are stinging, but it’s a fact! – but also to clearly communicate on its developments. When will the next gag?