Microsoft’s April update spree has taken a weird turn, and the tech giant now wants users to take a step back. Literally—do nothing. Following a wave of errors, security folders, and false alarms, Microsoft is saying: ignore it all. That cryptic warning message? Harmless. That new mystery folder? Leave it alone. For once, fixing a Windows problem means not trying to fix it.
The latest updates, intended to plug security gaps and patch vulnerabilities, are instead giving users a headache. And the fix? Microsoft is officially asking users to stay put.
Strange Folder Shows Up, But It’s Not What You Think
Let’s start with the “inetpub” folder. A lot of people woke up after April’s Patch Tuesday with this empty, unfamiliar folder on their desktops or system drives.
Naturally, many assumed it was a glitch—or worse, malware. But deleting it might actually undo a critical security patch. That folder is linked to CVE-2025-21204, a serious vulnerability that could allow attackers to mess with your system files. So, yeah, don’t delete it.
This isn’t some obscure corner-case either. The folder is showing up on all sorts of Windows 10 and 11 machines after the latest cumulative updates. And it’s not a leftover from a developer test build—this folder is part of a legitimate security fix.
Microsoft’s Bizarre “Do Nothing” Advice Confuses Everyone
If you’ve seen error code 0x80070643 recently, you’re not alone. It’s been showing up after Windows tries to install the KB5036893 or KB5036892 updates.
It looks serious. “ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE” is enough to send most users into full-blown panic mode. But Microsoft says: ignore it.
Weird? Absolutely. But here’s what’s really going on:
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The update does install, even if the error message shows up
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There’s no need to reinstall it or troubleshoot anything
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The glitch is purely in the reporting—not the update itself
It’s like your fire alarm going off when there’s no fire—scary, but not a reason to tear down the walls.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
This kind of advice—telling users not to react—is pretty rare from Microsoft. Usually, the guidance is clear: install updates, reboot, troubleshoot if something breaks.
This time, the company is taking a minimalist approach. And that’s raising eyebrows. Because with all the buzz around cyber threats—ransomware, phishing, zero-days—most users are wired to take any error seriously. Microsoft’s “ignore it” message runs against instinct.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the two big April headaches:
| Issue | What it is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
inetpub folder |
Linked to CVE-2025-21204 patch | Do not delete |
| Error 0x80070643 | Faulty update status message | Ignore it — update is actually fine |
For folks who aren’t tech-savvy, this kind of situation just makes Windows feel… unstable.
The Bigger Problem Lurking Under the Surface
This isn’t the first time Microsoft’s updates have thrown people off. But the difference this time? The silence.
There wasn’t a huge splash on the official blog. Most people found out via forums, Reddit threads, and tech sites like Windows Latest and Neowin. Microsoft quietly updated its documentation—no dramatic press release.
That’s a communication issue more than a technical one. Updates are supposed to inspire confidence. Right now, they’re inspiring uncertainty.
Even experienced users were scratching their heads, wondering whether to trust the error message or the documentation. That’s not a great look for a company trying to sell the world on AI copilots and secure edge computing.
Trust Takes a Hit When You Leave People Guessing
Imagine you’re a small business owner with a couple of desktops in your office. You see a scary-looking update failure, and suddenly you’re thinking about IT support bills or backup recovery plans.
That’s the ripple effect of these “ghost errors.”
And sure, some of us will shrug it off. But for many, tech trust is already fragile—and this just chips away at it. People don’t like being told not to act when a big red flag is waving on their screen.
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Short, clear alerts in plain language
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Pop-ups that explain what’s really happening
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Auto-fix patches that remove ghost folders or suppress misleading error codes
And maybe, just maybe, test the messaging side of updates as much as the code.
So, What Now for Windows Users?
Nothing, honestly. And that’s the point.
Don’t delete the folder. Don’t reinstall the update. Don’t stress over the error.
But do keep an eye on Microsoft’s update history page. That’s where these low-key explanations live now. Because if April is any sign, more “harmless errors” may be on the way.
And if you’ve already deleted the “inetpub” folder? Don’t panic. The patch itself is still intact. But maybe stop touching stuff unless Microsoft says it’s okay.
