Do not delete this Windows update folder, Microsoft warns.<\/p>\n
NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Windows users have a lot on their collective plate when it comes to matters of security, that\u2019s for sure. There\u2019s the zero-day vulnerability that wants to steal your Windows passwords<\/a>, hackers bypassing Windows Defender<\/a> security protections, and then there\u2019s Microsoft\u2019s own decisions to deal with. The deletion of VPN<\/a> provision Windows Defender users and, much more seriously, the deletion of security support<\/a> for Windows 10 users. As an aside, you can still get Windows 11 for free<\/a>, if you are quick. The latest and somewhat confusing situation of Microsoft\u2019s making has come about as Windows users noticed a mysterious new folder after the most recent security update. A folder with no explanation and one which, now, Microsoft has warned a billion Windows users they must not delete.<\/p>\n ForbesGoogle Warns Of October 3 Gmail Account Deletion \u2014 How To Keep YoursBy Davey Winder<\/a> As part of the April 8 Patch Tuesday security updates, Microsoft included a fix for CVE-2025-21204. This vulnerability in the critical Windows Update Stack, which is responsible for the management of Windows updates, no less, could lead to an attacker to elevate privileges locally. Something that the experts at SecurityVulnerability.io<\/a> described as posing \u201ca significant risk to organizations, as the compromised systems could allow attackers to execute unauthorized actions, potentially undermining the integrity and security of sensitive information and system operations.\u201d I won\u2019t bore you with the technicalities of link resolution process manipulation that could enable hackers to access files and execute commands; just know it\u2019s pretty darn serious. Which is why Microsoft fixed it, and that\u2019s a good thing.<\/p>\n The way that Microsoft fixed it, however, is not so good. A lack of transparency is a particular bugbear of mine when it comes to anything security-related, and this vulnerability patch is no exception. The problem is that Microsoft created a new and empty folder with the security update, the appearance of which led to a totally understandable debate in tech forums and on Reddit as well as other social media platforms. What was this \u201cinetpub\u201d folder, how did it get there, is it dangerous, is Microsoft using it to collect data, and should I delete it?<\/p>\n According to a new Microsoft security advisory update, the answer to the last of these questions is a resounding no. Windows users must not delete the inetpub folder, Microsoft warned.<\/p>\n ForbesMicrosoft Teams Users Exploited In Sophisticated Multi-Stage AI AttackBy Davey Winder<\/a><\/p>\n Microsoft Confirms Reason For New Windows Folder<\/p>\n
\nDo Not Delete This Mysterious New Windows Folder<\/p>\n