Inetpub folder is the standard location for Microsoft Internet Information Services in a computer system. This folder saves data related to websites and web applications. The Inetpub folder that is situated in the Local Disk C arranges the web content and keeps it safe.
The IIS of Microsoft offers a graphical interface for its users to control and oversee the websites as well as the concerned users. With this, you get a visual representation of designing and publishing sites or pages on the internet.
The components in this folder include file transfer, email transfer service as well as a web server. This folder is the location where the Internet Information Services gather data on the web content and server. The information includes text files that get saved in the Inetpub folder under LogFiles in your Local Disk C. This folder has five folders in it:
- adminscripts
- iissamples
- wwwroot
- mailroom
- scripts
The folder titled “adminscripts” situates inside the Inetpub folder and is the location to store administration scripts, which permits you to carry out any works of server administration. The iissamples stores selected applications to demonstrate the way in which a website works.
The mailroot subfolder runs the SMTP, while the scripts folder stores internet applications. The SMTP contains mail messages in transportation either to the user’s mailbox or to other SMTP servers. The wwwroot folder is the standard catalog for publishing sites and holds the web content.
The Internet Information Services permits your device to serve and issue web pages and websites from the Inetpub folder on your computer. However, this facility makes the device prone to dangerous attacks. Such attacks include the misuse of .asp source code, file fragment revelation, buffer overflow of MS server, syntactical separation of file requests, and other security issues related to the HTTP and web servers.
If you do not take proper precautions, it can cause harm to the whole system. There are some root measures you can adopt, which would reduce the level of risk for an ambush on your Inetpub folder. As the iissamples folder holds sample applications, production servers, and websites, it has a greater chance of attack.
To avoid the risk, you can remove the iissamples folder from your device. The New Technology File System permissions permit the websites to share data with the public, which is highly insecure. You can impose limits on accessing your files by disabling NTFS permissions.
Another major issue arises when your Inetpub folder situates in its standard location inside Local Disk C. If it continues being there, the risks of security breaches hike up as third parties can directly target the folder’s default location. Therefore, it is safer to move the Inetpub folder to another location, preferably to the D drive.
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How To Delete Inetpub Folder in Windows 10
Now, as the purpose and risk associated with all the subfolders of Inetpub are clear, you can delete the folder, if you find it unnecessary to your system. This folder is essential only for those who host websites and create web content.
If you need it currently or sometime in the future, it is advisable not to remove the Inetpub folder. On the other hand, if the folder is not required at all, it is better to delete it and save some storage space in the Local Disk C of your device.
If you are not a user of Internet Information Services and do not publish websites, the Inetpub folder is not necessary on your device. Therefore, you can delete the folder and save up some space. Some users have had problems regarding deleting this folder.
If you are not able to remove the folder from your PC, it is probably because you have not set the necessary changes in your Windows Settings that allows you to delete the folder. You have to disable a particular Windows function before you try to remove the Inetpub folder.
The steps for deleting the Inetpub folder are as follows:
Step 1: Firstly, go to the Control Panel by searching for it in the search bar. You can click the Start menu and type “Control Panel” as the keyword to find it quickly.
Step 2: Select the result that comes up and choose the Programs option that appears at the bottom.
Step 3: Under the Programs window, look for the “Programs and Features” option. Then navigate to the “Turn Windows features on or off” option and click on it.
Step 4: With this, a screen appears with a record of Windows features. Then, scroll down through the window and find the option titled “Internet Information Services” and deselect the feature if it is already selected.
Step 5: After making the changes, click on the OK button to save the alterations.
Step 6: Once you alter the Windows Settings, make sure the settings activate before moving on to the next step. It is advisable to restart the computer to ensure the changes come into action.
Step 7: Then, navigate to the Local Disk C of your device and search for the Inetpub folder. After finding the folder, select it, and right-click on it. Finally, from the options that appear, choose the Delete option.
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Conclusion
The Inetpub folder is the standard location for IIS and saves web content. This folder stores all information regarding websites and servers. It is necessary for creating, modifying, and publishing websites and pages.
While it serves its purpose for the users who host web content, the folder is not essential for the users who do not publish websites. Moreover, it adds danger by inviting attacks from third party hackers. This folder and its location are sensitive to outside attacks and need proper security measures for the protection of the system.
While the user can remove the Inetpub folder from the system, several users have reported issues stating that the deletion is not possible. It is because of the default Windows Settings, which allows IIS in your system. This article explains the steps for deleting the Inetpub folder from your device. I hope you find this helpful.
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