Mysterious Folder on Your Hard Drive? Don’t Worry, It’s Just Microsoft’s Latest Security Measure
If you’re a Windows user who’s recently applied the latest security patches, you might have noticed a new folder on your hard drive. The folder, typically located at C:inetpub, has been causing some concern among users, but rest assured, it’s completely benign and even recommended to leave it there.
What’s the Purpose of the Folder?
The folder is related to Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) and is created to mitigate an exploitable elevation-of-privileges flaw within Windows Process Activation, classified as CVE-2025-21204. This flaw, which can give malware on a system or a rogue user system-level file-management privileges, was fixed in the April Patch Tuesday batch from the Windows maker.
Why Should You Leave the Folder Alone?
The folder is created with read-only SYSTEM-level access to block some form of privilege-escalation exploitation that hasn’t been publicly disclosed. Even if you haven’t installed IIS, which isn’t included by default in Windows 10 and 11, the folder will still appear. Microsoft advises that it’s best to leave the folder alone, as it’s there to thwart a potential future attack.
What Happens if You Delete the Folder?
If you’ve accidentally deleted the folder after applying the patch, don’t worry! You can recreate it by going to the Windows Control Panel and opening Programs and Features. Scroll down until you find IIS and hit “OK” after highlighting it. The folder will be recreated with the correct SYSTEM-level permissions. You can then switch off IIS and restart.
Actionable Insights
- Don’t delete the C:inetpub folder, as it’s a security measure to prevent potential future attacks.
- If you’ve already deleted the folder, recreate it using the steps mentioned above.
- IIS is not included by default in Windows 10 and 11, so you don’t need to worry about it.
- Microsoft has not seen any known exploitation of CVE-2025-21204 in the wild, nor any exploit code being publicly shared.
Conclusion
The mysterious folder on your hard drive is just Microsoft’s latest security measure to protect your system from potential threats. By leaving the folder alone, you’re ensuring that your system is better protected against future attacks. Remember, it’s always best to follow Microsoft’s recommendations and not delete the folder, as it’s there to help keep your system safe.