usage Archives

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug That Can Consume Over 500GB of Storage Through Permission Log File

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows 11 that causes the Capability Access Manager's write-ahead log file to expand indefinitely, potentially exceeding 500GB of storage on affected devices. This issue is addressed in update KB5095093, which includes builds 26200.8737 and 26100.8737. Users can manually install this update via the optional updates section of Windows Update or wait for its automatic rollout during the July 2026 Patch Tuesday. The Capability Access Manager manages app permissions and logs usage of privacy-sensitive features, but the WAL file continues to grow unchecked on affected systems. The file can reach sizes from 70GB to over 513GB. To check if a system is affected, users can check storage settings or use Robocopy to verify the file size. The update is available through the Optional updates section and will be included in the cumulative update on July 8, 2026. The excessive size of the WAL file can lead to critical storage shortages and related issues, but it does not compromise the security or core functionality of the permission system. Microsoft has not confirmed if Windows 11 26H1 Insider builds are affected.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Wear OS 7: New features, eligible smartwatches, and everything you need to know

Wear OS 7 has been rolled out for smartwatches currently operating on Wear OS 6, with future models like the Galaxy Watch 9 expected to come with this update pre-installed. Current devices eligible for the upgrade include the Galaxy Watch 8 series and the OnePlus Watch 3 (release date pending). Key features of Wear OS 7 include Live Updates for real-time notifications, Remote Media Routing and Per-App Auto Launch for media apps, and Android XR Control for managing Android XR devices. The update introduces a new Neural Expressive design language, Gemini Intelligence for task automation, and a Personal Intelligence feature for personalized suggestions based on app data. Customization is enhanced with Widgets replacing traditional tiles, allowing users to create dynamic dashboards. Updates to the Google Contacts app include an improved search interface and an Emergency Sharing feature for location sharing during emergencies. The Wear Workout Tracker standardizes fitness tracking across devices, and battery life improvements promise up to a 10% increase in longevity. Samsung's One UI Watch is evolving with the upcoming One UI 9 Watch, which is expected to feature a refreshed interface and new customizations. Firmware for One UI 9 Watch has been detected on Galaxy Watch 8 models, indicating an imminent release, with the Galaxy Watch 9 series anticipated to launch in July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Arrest and extradition of Scattered Spider hacker shines light on how Windows telemetry GDIDs can identify and track users — Microsoft device identifier is just one digital fingerprint in a software world rife with them

Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old from Estonia, was arrested and extradited to the United States on charges related to digital crimes, with the FBI using telemetry logs from Microsoft Windows to trace his online activities. These logs included his Global Device Identifier (GDID) and records of websites he visited. Stokes likely had his telemetry settings configured to Optional/Full, which allowed the transmission of URL data. The FBI connected Stokes to his ngrok account and linked his travel records to a New York IP address and a rental at the Empire Hotel, aided by photos he shared. Google and Apple assisted in the investigation by tracing Stokes' phishing phone number back to the same IP address used for his ngrok account. Stokes attempted to obscure his digital footprint using a VPN and other services, but modern digital identification methods made it difficult to remain anonymous.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Your Windows 11 PC might be hiding a 500GB storage bug

A bug in Windows 11 can cause significant disk space loss, with some users losing up to 500GB due to the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file, which should normally be a few megabytes. The file's size can exceed 100GB, indicating potential issues. Users can check their system file sizes through Settings > System > Storage. Tools like WizTree, TreeSize, or WinDirStat can help examine the folder contents. Microsoft has addressed the issue in the June 23 optional preview update, which improves disk space usage for the file. This update can be found under Settings and Windows Update, with a mandatory fix scheduled for the official Patch Tuesday on July 14.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Here’s How to Check If Windows 11 Is Secretly Gobbling Up Your Disk Space

Users upgrading to Windows 11 have reported a significant decrease in available storage on their C: drive, attributed to the Capability Access Manager process consuming excessive disk space. Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and released an optional update (KB5095093) to improve disk space management for the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file, which can grow to several hundred gigabytes instead of the typical few megabytes. Users can check the file size in the directory C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCapabilityAccessManager, and tools like TreeSize or the command prompt can assist in this process. The CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file functions as a write-ahead log for application access requests to system components, and its abnormal growth indicates it is not being properly merged back into the main database.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Layered Security Essentials: Protect Your Devices from Threats

Safeguarding modern devices requires a multifaceted approach due to evolving cyber threats. A robust security framework should integrate various tools, including antivirus software, VPNs, strong authentication methods, and routine system updates. Layered security combines multiple protective measures like encryption, malware detection, and authentication controls to address diverse threats. Key practices for effective cyber hygiene include using strong passwords, timely software updates, awareness of phishing attempts, and multi-factor authentication. When using public Wi-Fi, it's crucial to verify the presence of encryption (indicated by the padlock symbol and HTTPS) before sharing personal information. Employing WPA3 encryption on home routers and changing default admin credentials are essential safeguards. Regular updates for operating systems and applications help rectify known vulnerabilities, while safe browsing habits prevent exposure to threats. Antivirus software and anti-phishing tools provide real-time monitoring, and device encryption protects stored data in case of loss or theft. Regular backups are vital to prevent data loss from ransomware or hardware issues. Phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication and passkeys offer strong defense against credential-based attacks.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Point-in-Time Restore Now Generally Available for Windows 11 — Campus Technology

Microsoft has rolled out a point-in-time restore feature for Windows 11, available to all client PCs running version 24H2 and later, including Enterprise, Pro, and Home editions. This feature automatically creates local restore points every 24 hours, stored for up to 72 hours and limited to 2% of disk space. It is enabled by default on Windows Home and unmanaged Windows Pro devices with at least 200 GB OS volume, while it is disabled by default on Windows Enterprise, Education, and organization-managed Windows Pro systems. Users can initiate restores locally via the Windows Recovery Environment, but any changes made after the selected restore point will be lost. Microsoft plans to introduce remote initiation capabilities through Intune recovery. The upcoming Windows 11 version 26H2 will maintain a low-disruption update experience, allowing devices on versions 24H2 or 25H2 to transition via a small enablement package. Devices running version 26H1 cannot upgrade directly to 26H2.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Microsoft Teams just made it easier to shut down Copilot and other AI tools

Microsoft is introducing a feature in its Teams platform that allows licensed meeting organizers to disable AI functionalities such as Copilot, Facilitator, and meeting recap. This update will be available across all versions of Teams, including desktop, web, and mobile applications. The announcement was made through the Microsoft 365 Message Center.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

The TechBeat: How Small Postgres Metadata Tables Quietly Throttle Your Largest Queries (7/6/2026)

- Websites detect VPN usage through factors like IP reputation, DNS leaks, WebRTC, and browser fingerprints, with strategies to mitigate tracking. - Slow Postgres dashboards may be caused by stale metadata statistics rather than the fact table, with solutions provided to rectify these issues. - Spec-driven development enhances the reliability of AI coding agents through structured specifications, workflows, reusable skills, and proof. - A comparison of usage-based billing platforms for 2026 includes Credyt, Metronome, Orb, Lago, Stripe Billing, and Chargebee. - Loop Engineering is a rising trend in AI workflows expected to dominate in 2026, though challenges may accompany it. - ONLYOFFICE released version 3.7 of DocSpace Developer, introducing AI file generation, new webhook events, expanded plugin tools, and enhanced form workflows. - ANY.RUN's data inspection tool offers SOC teams comprehensive browser visibility for quicker phishing investigations. - AI systems are reducing obvious hallucinations, but deeper structural failures remain a risk for professionals. - A vendor audit revealed supply chain vulnerabilities in AI, including unpinned models and the use of trust_remote_code=True. - Developers using OpenAI Codex should avoid overloading a single conversation with tasks to maintain performance, recommending the use of subagents. - Barriers to AI adoption are not purely technological, as shared by insights from discussions with 500 individuals. - Guidance on creating production AI agent loops emphasizes state management, tool governance, evidence verification, and domain-specific controls. - Dawnguard launched a security architecture automation platform with million in pre-seed funding to address AI code vulnerabilities. - The AI boom is driven by complex memory architecture rather than GPUs, influencing consumer electronics pricing strategies. - The origins of functional programming trace back to John McCarthy's practical needs for differentiating expressions. - A guide for AI startup founders addresses common pitfalls in understanding AI agents and the autonomy trap for developing reliable systems.

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.