If you’re finding your Windows 11 PC struggling with storage space, the culprit may not be your extensive collection of files and applications. Instead, it could be a hidden bug that silently consumes up to 500 GB of your storage capacity.
Recent findings from the patch notes for Windows 11 update KB5095093 reveal a significant issue: “This update improves disk space usage for the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file.” While this line may seem innocuous, it hints at a problem that can lead to a system’s drive becoming increasingly full. The issue is tied to the Capability Access Manager service, which manages app permissions within Windows.
Under normal circumstances, the file in question should occupy only a few megabytes. However, on certain systems, it can balloon to several hundred gigabytes, potentially filling the entire drive and severely impacting system performance, as noted by users on platforms like Reddit.
How to check if you’re affected
To determine if this bug is affecting your system, simply checking the list of installed applications under Windows Settings → System → Storage may not suffice. This method does not reveal which specific folder is consuming excessive storage, leaving you unaware of the underlying issue.
Instead, it is advisable to utilize applications such as TreeSize, WinDirStat, or WizTree to identify large files and locate the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file among them. If you find it taking up several gigabytes, your system is indeed affected by this bug.
Alternatively, you can execute a command in the Windows Command Prompt with administrator privileges:
robocopy "C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsCapabilityAccessManager" "%TEMP%CAMCheck" /L /B /R:0 /W:0 /BYTES /NP
What you can do
This issue has been present in Windows 11 for over a year, with initial reports surfacing quite some time ago. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem indirectly by providing a fix, which is currently available in the optional June 2026 update and is set for a broader rollout in the upcoming July Patch Tuesday update.
To install the optional update, navigate to Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates and look for KB5095093.
If you discover that your system is affected by this bug, it is crucial to refrain from making any unauthorized modifications to the file, such as deleting it or uninstalling the Capability Access Manager, as these actions could lead to further complications.
By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you might be missing out on the enhanced features available in Windows 11 Pro. For those interested in upgrading, a special offer is currently available in the PCWorld Software Store, with the price reduced from to just .
