Windows Archives

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft just broke custom folder icons in Windows, and the reason is a bug from 2003

Microsoft has updated Windows to stop trusting untrusted desktop.ini files, a change aimed at addressing a long-standing security vulnerability that has existed since 2003. This decision affects the display of custom folder icons, as Windows will now ignore customization metadata from potentially unsafe sources. Users can still use custom folder icons if the desktop.ini file and icon resources come from trusted locations. A workaround allows users to manually create a desktop.ini file with the desired icon while following new security protocols.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

My plea to Xbox fans of the divested studios — put your money where your mouth is

The Xbox community is reacting to the announcement of a restructuring that will eliminate 3,200 roles within Xbox. CEO Asha Sharma has introduced a strategy to mitigate losses, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine operating independently, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will seek new publishing partners. No projects have been canceled, and no studios have closed. State of Decay 3 is no longer required to launch on Xbox Game Pass, which may also apply to future Ninja Theory projects. Undead Labs must decide whether to launch titles on Xbox Game Pass or independently. Players are encouraged to support studios by purchasing games at retail prices. State of Decay 3 is gaining popularity on the Steam Most Wishlisted games list, highlighting interest in mid-sized and experimental games. The success of these studios now depends on community support.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft just confirmed that this Windows 11 bug is hoarding up to 500GB of your storage

Microsoft has acknowledged a storage issue related to the Capability Access Manager service in Windows 11, which can consume up to 500GB of SSD space due to a bug causing the log file, CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal, to inflate to gigabytes instead of a few megabytes. Users have reported file sizes reaching 200GB and even 513GB. The issue can be checked via Settings > Storage > System & reserved or by using a command in the Windows Command Prompt. Microsoft plans to address this in the June KB5095093 update, which will improve disk space usage for the log file, with updates expected to roll out starting July 14.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

A Windows 11 bug can eat 500GB of your storage. Here’s how to check

A hidden bug in Windows 11 can consume up to 500 GB of storage due to the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file, which should only occupy a few megabytes but can grow significantly on certain systems. Users can check for this issue using applications like TreeSize or by executing a command in the Windows Command Prompt. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and provided a fix in the optional June 2026 update, with a broader rollout planned for the July Patch Tuesday update. Users are advised not to modify or delete the file to avoid further complications.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

How to quickly launch multiple apps with a single action in Windows 11

Windows includes a Task Scheduler for automating tasks and batch files for streamlining operations. Batch files, with a .bat extension, are plaintext scripts that execute a series of commands in sequence, useful for automating repetitive tasks. A common use is launching multiple applications simultaneously, such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Google Chrome, Excel, and File Explorer, to enhance productivity. To create a batch file, users should identify the executable locations of the desired applications, create a text file named Launch Apps.bat, and input a specific script to launch the applications. The batch file can be executed by double-clicking it, and users can add echo commands for execution status or automate it with Task Scheduler. Some applications may require administrator privileges, and paths may need adjustments based on installation locations.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft may redesign one of its most useful free Windows 11 tools to make it even better

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11 that improves the Start menu and introduces new customization policies. The PowerToys suite, designed for power users, includes a feature called Awake, which prevents a PC from entering sleep mode. Awake is being redesigned to enhance accessibility and functionality, with a new flyout interface that consolidates key modes into a user-friendly format. Upcoming enhancements for Awake include custom durations for keeping the PC awake and the ability to attach the feature to specific processes. Microsoft is seeking community feedback on these proposals, which may lead to their inclusion in a future stable release.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft admits a Windows 11 bug is eating up to 500GB of storage, verify if you are affected

To check for excessive storage consumption in Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Storage > System & Reserved. A file named CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal can cause significant storage issues, potentially consuming hundreds of gigabytes. This file is associated with the Windows Capability Access Manager service, which manages app permissions for features like microphone and camera access. Normally, this file should occupy only a few megabytes, but reports indicate it can expand to sizes like 200GB or even 513GB. Microsoft acknowledged this issue in the release notes for Windows 11 KB5095093, stating that an update to improve disk space usage for this file is scheduled for July 14, 2026. To check if your system is affected, tools like WizTree or TreeSize can be used, or a command can be executed in Command Prompt to verify the file size. If the file is excessively large, it is recommended to wait for the update or rename the file to allow Windows to regenerate it, rather than deleting it.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft finally fixes bug that broke all major Windows 11 core UI components on some PCs

Microsoft introduced an update to the out-of-box experience (OOBE) for Windows 11, identified as KB5095189, targeting versions 25H2 and 24H2. This update includes enhancements and fixes, coinciding with additional updates KB5102558 and KB5095615 from the June C-release preview update (KB5095093). A major fix addresses a storage issue caused by the Capability Access Manager process, which was consuming significant disk space. Another fix resolves a malfunction affecting Shell components, impacting the Start menu, Search bar, Settings, Taskbar, and File Explorer, primarily on provisioned PCs due to compatibility issues with XAML. This bug had been present since July 2025 and is being resolved with updates released starting June 23, 2026 (KB5095093), with full deployment expected in the following month. Users are advised to use previous workarounds until the fix is fully available. Further details can be found in support article KB5072911 on Microsoft's website.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

I tested the new ASUS Zenbook A14 Windows laptop, and its 2026 upgrade to Snapdragon X2 Elite impressed me

ASUS has released the Zenbook A14 (UX3407) featuring the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor, retailing at ,999.99. It includes 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD, with a 14-inch non-touch OLED display at 1920 x 1200 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. Best Buy offers a version for ,349.99 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, and another for ,799.99 with the same RAM and storage as the ASUS configuration. The laptop weighs 2.18 lbs (0.99 kg) and has a "Ceraluminum" chassis with a 'Zabriskie Beige' finish. It has a maximum brightness of 407 nits, with a peak brightness of 600 nits for certain areas, and covers 100% of the sRGB and P3 color gamuts. The Snapdragon X2 Elite processor outperforms Apple's M5 chip in benchmarks and shows significant improvements over its predecessor. Battery life is claimed to be over 33 hours under ideal conditions, but real-world testing showed a maximum of 23 hours and 38 minutes. The laptop features decent speakers and an adequate webcam, though some pre-installed applications may not be preferred by all users.

Winsage

July 5, 2026

Windows 10 grasps for life as Playstation drops discs, Sony takes away movies, and Microsoft ends two Surface PCs

Sony has ceased production of physical discs. Microsoft has extended support for Windows 10 and retired the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go, with no plans for restocking or successors. A leaked video revealed Microsoft's development of a Copilot operating system based on a streamlined Windows codebase. Xbox is considering canceling Marvel's Blade as part of a restructuring effort. Microsoft is contemplating a disc-to-digital program to allow users to convert physical game discs into digital licenses. The Dell XPS 13 and HP OmniBook Ultra 14 are currently available at significant discounts.