I'm not a w11 user, but do restore points take up lot of space? Like or more the old wins, I mean.
And I asked google AI about the issue, CapabilityAccessManager.db it can be disabled.

 

Use Disk Cleanup Tool:

• Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup.
• Right-click on Disk Cleanup and select Run as administrator.
• Select your system drive [usually C:/]
• Click Clean up system files.
• Wait for the scan to complete.
• Check System Restore and Shadow Copies (if available).
• Click OK and confirm to delete these files.

Für deutsche Benutzer ist der Begriff: Datenträgerbereinigung

How (and why) to run Windows' Disk Cleanup tool

 

Last edited: May 2, 2026

Spacesniffer

 

Maybe you have been a victim of a fake hard drive. That has half size which brand is you hdd? And where did you get it ?


Edit: Just red all the comments and glad you solved it.

 

The only time I had a problem similar to this it was a file related to VSS (volume shadow copy service). Don't remember the details though, like where it was located.

 

On most installations, VSS is only used by "System Restore Points", so limiting SRP size should cap VSS size too.

SRP can be accessed via systempropertiesprotection.exe on Windows 10, don't know about 11 though.

Otherwise, in an elevated command prompt - should work on all versions:

vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /On=C: /For=C: /MaxSize=2GB
vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /On=D: /For=D: /MaxSize=2GB

 

I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment and offer suggestions. Disk Cleanup got me 5 GB. I setup some symlinks about a month ago with help in a different thread.

No matter what, I need a bigger SSD. After I do that, I might revisit this mystery. Thanks again.

 

It could be this, because normally I disable it.
I've never fully understood what this service does, besides SRPs.
It's highly recommended to have it enabled for system backups, for instance. And some advanced disk defragmenters recommend to disable it while defragmenting, IIRC.

 

UPDATE: The last time I used WinDirStat I forgot to Run as Administrator so the hidden files did not display. The culprit is, once again, CompatabiltyAccessManager database file. When deleted, Windows recreates the db and it's much smaller. It didn't take long to build back up to 75GB. The long term solution:

"High usage is usually caused by applications or services constantly polling for microphone, camera, or location access (e.g., system monitors checking Wi-Fi status). Investigate recent, third-party apps, especially those with custom widgets, and consider updating or removing them."

There are other thing to check but this will be first. I think there's also a way to do scheduled purges of this db file.

 

You have to switch to Plan B aka B drive ;)

 

It'll def be windows updates, they are messy pigs. they create restore points, and roll back versions and temp installers. Unfortunately the reality is if you want to just let windows do its windows things, small ssds wont cut it anymore. ccleaner can help clean up some crap.

 

Probably best if you figure out how to stop this from happening before you buy the next drive and throw a couple million writes at it per hour.

I'd try setting the Capability Access Manager service start up to disabled, delete the file, then move on to figuring out how to proceed.

 

UPDATE: After some reading, I found out that a program called Smart Bytes could be causing the CompatabilityAccessManager db to rapidly grow in size. It's a program that Dell installs in their computers and no one has anything good to say about it. Supposedly very difficult to uninstall and it might come back anyways. Mine came back after first uninstall but not after the second. Keeping my fingers crossed and keeping my eye on CAM database.

 

I keep all my music programs on a separate drive. Where they install stuff onto C whether you like it or not, I move it and use symlinks to tell Windows where to look (just a DOS command - look it up). Had to do this recently with Roland Cloud and Galaxia, which added a good 7GB.

 

use revo when uninstalling to get rid of hidden files

 

Hello @DimChandeliers, see if you can find the service and disable it:

- Open Services and set SmartByte services to Disabled, then stop them if they are running.
- Check Task Manager’s Startup tab and disable any SmartByte entry there.