Microsoft confirms Windows 11 bug can steal over 500GB of storage – here's how to check and fix it

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 bug can steal over 500GB of storage – here's how to check and fix it

The bug, which was spotted by Windows Latest, is related to Windows 11's Capability Access Manager, a system component tied to Microsoft's app permission controls. It manages access to privacy-sensitive features such as the camera, microphone, location, contacts, and screen capture, and records when apps request or use those capabilities.

How the bug works

The Capability Access Manager maintains a database of permission requests and usage logs. Under normal circumstances, this database remains small and manageable. However, a bug in Windows 11 can cause this database to grow uncontrollably, consuming hundreds of gigabytes of storage space.

How to check if you're affected

To check if the bug is affecting your system:

1. Open Settings from the Start menu
2. Navigate to System > Storage
3. Look for System & reserved and check the size of the System files section
4. Alternatively, use File Explorer to navigate to C:\Windows\System32\CapabilityAccessManager and check the folder size

If the CapabilityAccessManager folder exceeds several gigabytes, your system is likely affected.

How to fix the issue

Microsoft has acknowledged the bug and provided a workaround:

• Run the Disk Cleanup tool as an administrator
• Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:)
• Click Clean up system files
• Check the box for Delivery Optimization Files and Windows Update Cleanup
• Click OK to delete the files

For a more targeted fix, you can manually clear the Capability Access Manager database:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator
2. Run the following command:

   net stop wuauserv
   

3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\CapabilityAccessManager
4. Delete the contents of the folder
5. Restart the service with:

   net start wuauserv
   

Microsoft is working on a permanent fix that will be included in a future Windows 11 update.