Technologies

If You Deleted This Weird New Folder in Windows, You Need to Put It Back. Here’s How

Microsoft says a seemingly innocuous folder added in a recent Windows 11 update is actually very important.

Windows 11 users who browsed their files after an update earlier this month may have noticed a new folder they didn’t recognize. It turns out to be pretty important.

The empty folder, labeled «inetpub,» caused curiosity and confusion online, with some people deleting it. The folder is used to manage logs for Internet Information Services, but it appeared even for those who don’t have that service turned on.

While nothing obvious happened after the folder was deleted, the deletion creates a security vulnerability, according to Microsoft.

«After installing the updates listed in the Security Updates table for your operating system, a new %systemdrive%\inetpub folder will be created on your device,» Microsoft said in a security update. «This folder should not be deleted regardless of whether Internet Information Services (IIS) is active on the target device. This behavior is part of changes that increase protection and does not require any action from IT admins and end users.»

Microsoft said the deletion creates an issue in which an attacker can use what’s called a «link following flaw» to access your computer. Microsoft didn’t immediately respond to a request for further comment.

What to do if you deleted the «inetpub» folder in Windows

If you deleted the folder, restoring it by turning on Internet Information Services will fix the vulnerability, according to Windows Latest.

To do so:

Access your optional Windows features by going to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
Select Turn Windows features on or off.
Check the box next to Internet Information Services.
Click OK.

You can open your Windows folder to double-check that «inetpub» is back. That’s it.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for July 30, #780

Get hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for July 30, #780, which is a definite brain twister.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Oh man, today’s NYT Connections puzzle is a true brain-buster. The blue and purple categories are tough, but I found the green group to be tough as well. Need help? Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Teach.

Green group hint: Way by which you do something.

Blue group hint: It’s Greek to me.

Purple group hint: Mixed-up musical words.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Instruct.

Green group: Means.

Blue group: Starting with Greek numerical prefixes.

Purple group: Anagrams of musical instruments.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is instruct. The four answers are coach, direct, guide and train.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is means. The four answers are instrument, medium, organ and vehicle.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is starting with Greek numerical prefixes. The four answers are dioxide, monorail, quadrant and triangle.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is anagrams of musical instruments. The four answers are abut (tuba), bulge (bugle), groan (organ) and voila (viola).

Quick tips for Connections

#1: Say the clue words out loud, pausing before and after each. That helps you hear the words in the context of a phrase. The Connections editors love to group words together that are used in similar phrasing, like ____ Up.

#2: Don’t go for the obvious grouping. These editors are smart. Once, they offered SPONGE, BOB, SQUARE and PANTS in the same puzzle. None of those words were in the same category. If you like, hit the «shuffle» button to give yourself a different perspective on the words.

#3: Break down any compound words and look for similarities. «Rushmore» was once in a puzzle where the connection was that each word started with the name of a rock band.

Technologies

Save a Massive $149 Off the Rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 With This Limited-Time Deal

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is one of the best smartwatches around, and it’s even better when you can get it for just $650.

There are plenty of options on the market when you’re shopping for a new wearable. But if you’re keen to get the best smartwatch money can buy, you need not look too much further than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The only catch is the price — but this deal is here to help.

A limited-time Amazon deal has slashed the Apple Watch Ultra 2 down to the low price of $650. That’s a $149 discount on the usual asking price, but we’re not expecting this deal to last very long — if you want it, make sure you pick it up quickly.

This price is available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a few different configurations, but not all. We suggest choosing the one you like best and then making sure that your favorite is part of the deal before checking out.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

No matter which band you choose, you’ll get the same Apple Watch Ultra 2, which means a large-yet-comfortable 49mm size and a gorgeous display that’s easy to read even in direct sunlight. Its size also means that it has the longest-lasting battery of any Apple Watch, so you can go longer between charges. There’s even the option to enable a low power mode to eke every last bit of juice out of it if the need arises.

Each Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with cellular connectivity, so you can leave your iPhone at home while the corrosion-resistant titanium case is joined by a sapphire front crystal that makes it more resistant to scratches.

Like all Apple Watches, the Ultra 2 supports the same health and fitness features that have made these wearables so popular. You can track workouts, including heart rate zones and training load, among other things. All of that and more make this the go-to smartwatch for people who live an active life and want their wearable to keep up, no matter what they get up to.

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm, Black, M/L Sports Band):

$329 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 40mm, Cream):

$200 (save $100)
Amazfit Active 42mm Smartwatch With 14 Day Battery Life (Black):

$85 (save $25)
Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch With AMOLED Display:

$200 (save $100)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (Wi-Fi, LTE, 47mm, Titanium Silver):

$500 (save $150)

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is often discounted, but prices can often be particularly volatile. This isn’t quite the best price we’ve seen this model sell for, but it isn’t far off. If you’re looking for a new smartwatch right now, then this $149 discount is perfect.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, July 30

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 30.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

The 5-Across clue in today’s Mini Crossword was easy-peasy for me. I used that app for an absolutely delightful message from Doug Jones of Star Trek and The Shape of Water fame. Read on for the answers if you get stuck. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.