Windows 11: Microsoft resolves huge bug that consumed up to 70GB of space

Microsoft has updated the changelog for KB5095093, the C-release update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, adding details on fixes that were not included in the original release notes. Among these is the resolution of a bug related to Capability Access Manager, the component that manages app permissions, which was responsible for an unusual and unjustified consumption of disk space.

The problem specifically involved the file CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal, reported by several users on Microsoft support forums as the cause of disproportionate memory erosion. The most notable case comes from a user named Donald Gibson, who reported that the service had consumed about 70GB of additional space on his system, without technical support being able to provide an explanation. The thread received over 80 positive votes from other users facing the same defect.

Microsoft Fixes Bug That Eroded Space on Windows 11 Storage Drive

Three changes have been added to the changelog, each following distinct timelines. The fix for Capability Access Manager was logged on June 29, 2026, and is being rolled out normally, so it is available to all users who install the update without further delays.

In contrast, the improvement for File Explorer, noted on June 23, pertains to the application's responsiveness when mounting disk images in ISO format: here Microsoft chose a gradual release, so not all users will see the effect immediately after installing the patch.

The third fix is less related to storage but still felt by a portion of users: the Emoji panel in Windows 11 had stopped loading GIFs correctly after Tenor, the previous provider, discontinued its API. Microsoft resolved the issue by switching to a different provider, GIPHY, which now powers the search and loading of GIFs within the panel.

The Capability Access Manager case once again shows how Microsoft tends to expand the changelogs of patches days after the initial release, a habit that makes it difficult for users to know in advance what to expect from a cumulative update. Those who experienced the issue of eroded disk space should not wait for further patches: installing KB5095093 is sufficient to normalize the memory usage related to the service. During the same period, Microsoft also advanced other updates for the Windows ecosystem, including the public preview of WSL Containers.