Windows 11 is Hiding 500GB From You! (How to Fix), by Britec09 on YouTube. 11 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open Settings, go to System, then Storage, and note how much free space your C: drive has. You will compare this number at the end.
Download TreeSize Free from the official website and install it. Right-click the shortcut and choose Run as administrator so it can read protected system folders.
In TreeSize, pick your C: drive and start the scan. Wait for it to finish, then sort the folder list by size so the biggest ones sit at the top.
Look for C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\CapabilityAccessManager. If it holds tens or hundreds of gigabytes, you have found the leak.
Open Windows Update and install KB5095093, the June 2026 preview update for builds 26200.8737 and 26100.8737 that the video lists. Restart when it finishes.
Search Start for Create a restore point, select your system drive and click Create. Name it before the cleanup so you can roll back if something breaks.
In TreeSize, expand the CapabilityAccessManager folder and check what is inside. Delete the large database or log files it contains, not the folder itself.
Empty the Recycle Bin, restart the PC, and check Settings, System, Storage again. The free space figure should now be much higher.
Tips and common mistakes
Never delete the whole ProgramData folder, only the oversized files inside the folder you identified.
Confirm the size in TreeSize before deleting anything, since a folder name alone does not prove it is the problem.
Run Storage Sense or Disk Cleanup every few months to stop space creeping back up.
Keep Windows updated so the same storage bug does not return.
Questions
Is it safe to delete files in the CapabilityAccessManager folder?
Deleting the oversized files inside it is what reclaims the space, and Windows rebuilds what it needs. Make a restore point first and leave the folder itself in place.
What if the folder fills up again after I delete it?
Install the update listed with the video and restart, then rescan with TreeSize in a week to check the folder size.
Do I need TreeSize to do this?
No, but a disk tool makes the hidden folders visible and shows their real sizes, which is much faster than guessing.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
