Installed Apps using over half of my SSD storage

Question

Installed Apps using over half of my SSD storage

Kevin Wooldridge 25

Hi

I have a Dell laptop with a 250GB SSD drive. I have very few files saved on this - all are saved to a 64GB USB dongle. I have been getting 'low on memory' messages for the last month. I have a total of 115GB of Installed Apps but cannot see how this is so large. I can see there are a total of 81 Apps, but only two are larger than 1 GB. Most are very small. I cannot understand where all the 100GB + storage is being usedCan someone advise? It's now a huge issue as I'm no longer able to run more than a single programme due to the lack of disk space.

Thank you

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Answer accepted by question author

Thomas4-N 21,930 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

The "low on memory" warning and not being able to run more than one program both point to RAM, not disk space. They're two separate things:

RAM is the short-term memory used to run programs. When it fills up, you get "low on memory" warnings and things slow down or refuse to open.
SSD storage is where files and apps live long-term. Your 115GB of apps on a 250GB drive isn't the issue, and the "Installed apps" figure isn't really related, so freeing up disk space likely won't help.

To check what you're working with, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) > Performance > Memory to see your total RAM and how much is in use, then the Processes tab sorted by Memory to see what's eating the most. For typical use these days a laptop really wants 8GB minimum, 16GB for comfortable multitasking; if yours is at 4GB, that would explain it.

From there: close programs you're not using, trim startup apps (Task Manager > Startup apps), and keep fewer browser tabs open. But if you're at 4GB, that's the real bottleneck here and a RAM upgrade is the proper fix, not just managing what's open.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-09T09:55:04.5333333+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

Just check in to see how things are going. Let me know if you need anything.
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-13T18:00:10.55+00:00

Hi Bulldog / Thomas

It's Storage which is my issue. 95% of the capacity of the SSD drive is being used by SYSTEM and APPS. This makes no sesne to me.... - see attached screenshots.

Any thoughts on why- and how I can reduce these? The laptop is constantly crashing.

Thanks in advance
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-14T14:39:01.4166667+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

Check out this article: https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/07/06/microsoft-admits-a-windows-11-bug-is-eating-up-to-500gb-of-storage-verify-if-you-are-affected/

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Please try to fully update Windows via Windows Update, pay attention to KB5095093.
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-15T10:49:55.1233333+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

Just check in to see how things are going. Let me know if you need anything.
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-15T14:24:44.72+00:00

Hi Thomas

Thank you for sending this link. I will look into this tomorrow when I am at home. Sounds very likely to be the cause as the dates correspond with when my laptop started getting these issues.

Appreciate your help. I will let you know how I get on.

🙏
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-21T12:18:35.0366667+00:00

Hi Thomas

I just wanted to update you.

I've had a look at the information on the link you sent and the various other notes / answers discussing this problem. Unfortunately, I don't have the necessary computer skills (or trust myself) to follow the advice given in order to deal with the overactive CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file.

I've checked my Windows Update history (see below) but there's no sign of the suggested updates designed to 'repair' the CapabilityAccessManager issue. I was expecting to see the KB5095093

update on 29 June - and can't see how to locate this if it's an OPTIONAL update. There is no sign yet of the

July 2026 "Patch Tuesday" Update - which is an automatic roll-out, which from the notes will also address the issue. I guess I can only wait and see if it is sent later this month.

Thank you for your advice so far.
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-25T08:01:36.7266667+00:00
Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

First, you do not need to modify or delete the protected CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file manually.

The newer cumulative update includes the improvements from the optional KB5095093 preview, so you do not need to locate that specific update separately. Please fully update Windows through Settings > Windows Update, then restart the PC. After restarting:

Run winver. For Windows 11 25H2, the build should be 26200.8875 or later.

Recheck Settings > System > Storage.

If the build is current and the storage usage has decreased, no further action is needed. If the build is current but System & reserved still uses around 100 GB, please reply with the updated Storage screenshot. We would then need to confirm what is consuming that space before considering any further action.
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-25T17:37:44.58+00:00

Hi Thomas

Thank you for your advice. I managed to download the latest Windows update KB5121767 (26200.8894) and followed your instructions. I am now up-to-date on all Windows Updates. After restarting my laptop .... I can report it has been a SUCCESS. The System and Reserved folder has dropped to 46.6GB - see screenshot.

As suggested, I checked by typing WINVER and the result still shows my laptop is on build 26200.8655. not updated to .8875 Not to worry, as my laptop is working efficiently again. Thank you so much for your help with fixing this issue.

Kind regards

PS - A question on Windows Updates. Should Windows be purging the oldest updates when they are replaced? If not, eventually the available hard-drive storage space will eventually be used up by the multiple updates.
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-26T14:58:36.52+00:00

Hi Kevin Wooldridge,

I'm happy to hear your laptop is working again.

Windows updates should not keep accumulating as complete copies indefinitely. Windows may retain rollback files temporarily—typically for 10 days—before that space can be reclaimed through Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.

If storage suddenly drops again after a future update, avoid manually changing system files. Check Windows Update for a newer corrective update instead.

Thank you for reporting back with the result. If you find my guidance helpful, please consider accepting my answer so others can find the solution more easily. Have a nice day!

1 additional answer

Your answer

Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-09T09:55:04.5333333+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

Just check in to see how things are going. Let me know if you need anything.
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-13T18:00:10.55+00:00

Hi Bulldog / Thomas

It's Storage which is my issue. 95% of the capacity of the SSD drive is being used by SYSTEM and APPS. This makes no sesne to me.... - see attached screenshots.

Any thoughts on why- and how I can reduce these? The laptop is constantly crashing.

Thanks in advance
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-14T14:39:01.4166667+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

Check out this article: https://www.windowslatest.com/2026/07/06/microsoft-admits-a-windows-11-bug-is-eating-up-to-500gb-of-storage-verify-if-you-are-affected/

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Please try to fully update Windows via Windows Update, pay attention to KB5095093.
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-15T10:49:55.1233333+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

Just check in to see how things are going. Let me know if you need anything.
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-15T14:24:44.72+00:00

Hi Thomas

Thank you for sending this link. I will look into this tomorrow when I am at home. Sounds very likely to be the cause as the dates correspond with when my laptop started getting these issues.

Appreciate your help. I will let you know how I get on.

🙏
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-21T12:18:35.0366667+00:00

Hi Thomas

I just wanted to update you.

I've had a look at the information on the link you sent and the various other notes / answers discussing this problem. Unfortunately, I don't have the necessary computer skills (or trust myself) to follow the advice given in order to deal with the overactive CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file.

I've checked my Windows Update history (see below) but there's no sign of the suggested updates designed to 'repair' the CapabilityAccessManager issue. I was expecting to see the KB5095093

update on 29 June - and can't see how to locate this if it's an OPTIONAL update. There is no sign yet of the

July 2026 "Patch Tuesday" Update - which is an automatic roll-out, which from the notes will also address the issue. I guess I can only wait and see if it is sent later this month.

Thank you for your advice so far.
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-25T08:01:36.7266667+00:00

Hello Kevin Wooldridge,

First, you do not need to modify or delete the protected CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file manually.

The newer cumulative update includes the improvements from the optional KB5095093 preview, so you do not need to locate that specific update separately. Please fully update Windows through Settings > Windows Update, then restart the PC. After restarting:

Run winver. For Windows 11 25H2, the build should be 26200.8875 or later.

Recheck Settings > System > Storage.

If the build is current and the storage usage has decreased, no further action is needed. If the build is current but System & reserved still uses around 100 GB, please reply with the updated Storage screenshot. We would then need to confirm what is consuming that space before considering any further action.
Kevin Wooldridge 25 Reputation points

2026-07-25T17:37:44.58+00:00

Hi Thomas

Thank you for your advice. I managed to download the latest Windows update KB5121767 (26200.8894) and followed your instructions. I am now up-to-date on all Windows Updates. After restarting my laptop .... I can report it has been a SUCCESS. The System and Reserved folder has dropped to 46.6GB - see screenshot.

As suggested, I checked by typing WINVER and the result still shows my laptop is on build 26200.8655. not updated to .8875 Not to worry, as my laptop is working efficiently again. Thank you so much for your help with fixing this issue.

Kind regards

PS - A question on Windows Updates. Should Windows be purging the oldest updates when they are replaced? If not, eventually the available hard-drive storage space will eventually be used up by the multiple updates.
Thomas4-N 21,930 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-26T14:58:36.52+00:00

Hi Kevin Wooldridge,

I'm happy to hear your laptop is working again.

Windows updates should not keep accumulating as complete copies indefinitely. Windows may retain rollback files temporarily—typically for 10 days—before that space can be reclaimed through Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.

If storage suddenly drops again after a future update, avoid manually changing system files. Check Windows Update for a newer corrective update instead.

Thank you for reporting back with the result. If you find my guidance helpful, please consider accepting my answer so others can find the solution more easily. Have a nice day!

Answer 1

Bulldog 4,625

Low memory messages refer to RAM, not hard drive space. To reduce your use of RAM, close applications running in the background. Open Task Manager to see what's running and how much RAM is being used.

In computer-speak:

"memory" means RAM, and
"storage" or "space" means space on the hard drive.

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