Why is Home windows 11’s newest replace making a mysterious ‘inetpub’ folder?

Microsoft’s April replace—KB5055523 for Home windows 11 24H2—is presently rolling out by way of Home windows Replace. Based on Microsoft, the cumulative replace fixes a number of safety vulnerabilities in Home windows 11 whereas additionally introducing some minor enhancements.

However on prime of all that, customers have noticed a brand new and fairly curious phenomenon: after putting in KB5055523 and restarting Home windows 11, a brand new folder referred to as inetpub immediately seems within the C: drive, which was created by the replace. I used to be personally in a position to observe this by myself pc after putting in replace KB5055523.

The inetpub folder is generally created and utilized by Home windows Web Data Providers (IIS), an elective internet server by Microsoft that’s built-in into Home windows and permits the internet hosting of internet sites, apps, and FTP servers immediately on a Home windows PC. The required internet information is subsequently saved within the inetpub folder.

Emphasis on “elective,” although, as IIS isn’t usually put in on Home windows 11 Dwelling or Home windows 11 Professional and is normally solely put in on demand by turning it on by way of the Home windows Options panel:

Joel Lee / Foundry

Did replace KB5055523 merely set up and activate IIS with out my information? The excellent news is, no, IIS continues to be disabled. It stays unclear why the folder was created, the, nevertheless it’s presumably a minor bug on Microsoft’s half that merely crept into KB5055523. That is supported by the truth that the folder is totally empty and due to this fact ineffective.

There’s presently no info from Microsoft in regards to the inetpub downside. You possibly can delete the inetpub folder with out fear, or wait till Microsoft delivers a hotfix that removes the folder once more.

Aside from this situation, the April replace KB5055523 is way from bug-free. Microsoft refers to a number of recognized points on the official assist web page for the replace, together with some that have an effect on Roblox in addition to Citrix apps and Home windows Hi there.

Players utilizing Arm gadgets are unable to obtain and play Roblox on Home windows from the Microsoft Retailer, and gadgets with sure Citrix elements put in might not have the ability to set up the January 2025 Home windows safety replace. Microsoft can also be investigating points which might be stopping customers from signing in with Home windows Hi there facial recognition or PIN, requiring them to re-register first.