According this [answer](https://stackoverflow.com/a/1570909/240564), it should be option "include files from the App\_data folder" when you publish ASP.NET application. But I don't see it:
![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qMr0h.png)

Where it is?
['https://Stackoverflow.com/questions/16086943', 'https://Stackoverflow.com', 'https://Stackoverflow.com/users/240564/']
I used a After Build Target. To just create a empty folder on deploy.

Add this to the end of The project file .csproj

```
<Target Name="CreateDirectories" AfterTargets="GatherAllFilesToPublish">   
    <MakeDir Directories="$(OutputPath)App_Data\"/>  
</Target>  

```
1. Manually Create the App\_Data folder under the published application's root folder
2. Right click at the App\_Data folder and select **Publish App\_Data folder**.
3. Add an item into the App\_Data folder and set the item to be include in the publish.

<https://forums.asp.net/t/2126248.aspx?App_Data+folder+missing+in+release>