The hidden Windows folder you should never delete if you want your PC to keep working

On Windows computers, there are certain folders that are part of the system's internal workings, even though they may seem irrelevant at first glance. Many contain system files, settings, or tools necessary to protect the computer and maintain its stability . Some appear after major updates , and their presence is not always obvious to the average user.

One of these folders is 'inetpub' , which has started appearing on the local disk after the latest Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates, specifically since the April 2025 security patch (KB5055523 for Windows 11 and KB5055518 for Windows 10). Although it may seem empty and purposeless, deleting it can affect the protection and proper functioning of the system.

Do not delete the 'ineptub' folder, it is vital to protect your data

According to XDA Developers , this folder has been implemented as a security measure to protect the computer against the CVE-2025-21204 vulnerability , which allowed cybercriminals to elevate privileges without authorization during the Windows activation process. Although this directory is traditionally associated with the Internet Information Services (IIS) service, this time it has also been distributed to computers where IIS is not activated.

This has led some users to believe that 'inetpub' is a useless file or an error, when in fact, its function is crucial , acting as a layer of protection against unauthorized access , preventing the installation of malicious files or the manipulation of internal system paths. It is also protected against external modification , even by malware .

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If you accidentally deleted the folder, you can restore it from the Control Panel by going to "Turn Windows features on or off," enabling the "Internet Information Services" option, and accepting the changes. Once the folder has been regenerated, the service can be disabled if not needed, as it does not affect the directory's presence.

Keeping this folder intact is important to ensure future security updates install correctly because its absence can interfere with security patches or leave the system vulnerable.

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