Microsoft Patches Bloated Windows 11 Storage Folder
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is patching a Windows 11 bug that caused the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file to take up excessive storage space, included in the optional June 2026 update (KB5095093).
– The file, related to app permissions, grew to large sizes for users, with one report of 500GB and others ranging from 12GB to 200GB.
– The bug may stem from Windows 11 repeatedly logging events for access requests or privacy controls like location, though Microsoft did not explain the cause.
– The update specifically improves disk space usage for the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file.
– Affected users can install the fix by navigating to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options, then selecting and installing the optional June 2026 update.
Microsoft has quietly rolled out a fix for a Windows 11 bug that caused a single system folder to balloon in size, consuming gigabytes of valuable storage space. The patch was included in the optional June 2026 update (KB5095093), which, according to Microsoft, “improves disk space usage for the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file.”
This file comes preinstalled on every Windows 11 machine and is tied to how the operating system manages app permissions. Over recent months, users have reported the file growing to absurd proportions. One affected individual claimed it consumed a staggering 500GB of storage on their device. Others have documented sizes ranging from 12GB to 200GB, turning a normally insignificant system component into a major storage hog.
Microsoft has not provided an official explanation for the underlying cause. However, Windows Latest suggests the bloating likely stems from Windows 11 logging repeated events for access requests or privacy controls, such as location services, without properly managing the file’s size.
If your PC is affected, you can apply the fix right now. Navigate to Settings, then Windows Update, click Advanced options, and select Check for optional updates. From the list, choose and install the June 2026 update to reclaim your lost space.
(Source: The Verge)
