Microsoft fixes storage-hogging Windows 11 folder

The CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file is installed on Windows 11 PCs by default, and is related to app permissions. Several users have had issues with this file over the past few months, with one person saying the file took up 500GB of storage on their device. Others have reported the file growing to similarly large amounts, ranging from 12GB to 200GB.

Microsoft doesn’t explain what went wrong here, but Windows Latest says the file may be growing because Windows 11 “keeps logging repeated events for access requests or other privacy controls, such as location.”

If you’re affected by this issue, you can install the update now by heading to your Settings menu, clicking “Windows Update” > Advanced options, and then choosing “Check for optional updates.” From there, you can select and install the June 2026 update.