Windows Update Delivery Optimization: How to Configure and Save Bandwidth
How to configure Windows Update Delivery Optimization on Windows 10 and 11. Limit bandwidth usage, disable P2P sharing, use local network only. Group Policy and registry settings.
Delivery Optimization downloads Windows updates from Microsoft servers and other PCs on your network or the internet — reducing Microsoft's bandwidth costs but using yours in the process. Here's how to control it.
What Delivery Optimization Does
By default, Windows may:
- Download update pieces from other PCs on your local network
- Download from PCs on the internet (other Windows users)
- Upload portions of updates to other PCs
This is on by default and can saturate your connection during active uploads.
Check Current Settings
Win + I → Windows Update → Advanced options → Delivery Optimization
See if Allow downloads from other PCs is on and what source is selected:
- Devices on my local network — only shares within your home/office
- Devices on the internet and local network — shares with anyone (more bandwidth used)
Limit Download and Upload Bandwidth
Win + I → Windows Update → Advanced options → Delivery Optimization → Advanced options
Download settings:
- Percentage of measured bandwidth — recommended: set to 10-25% so updates don't saturate your connection during work hours
- Absolute bandwidth — set a specific MB/s cap
Upload settings:
- Monthly upload limit — set to 1-5 GB to prevent excessive uploads
- Percentage of bandwidth for uploads — set to 5-10%
Disable Delivery Optimization Peer Sharing
To stop sharing entirely (still downloads from Microsoft):
# Disable peer sharing — download only from Microsoft
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization" `
-Name "DODownloadMode" -Value 0 -Type DWord -Force
Download mode values:
0= Microsoft only (no peer sharing)1= Local network peers only2= Local network + internet peers99= Bypass (disable Delivery Optimization entirely)
Disable Delivery Optimization Service
# Stop and disable the service
Stop-Service DoSvc -Force
Set-Service DoSvc -StartupType Disabled
Note: disabling the service may slow down Windows Update slightly on some configurations.
Check Delivery Optimization Activity
# View upload/download stats
Get-DeliveryOptimizationStatus
# Detailed stats
Get-DeliveryOptimizationPerfSnap
Configure via Group Policy
For managed environments:
gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Delivery Optimization
Key policies:
- Download Mode → set to
0(HTTP only, no peering) - Maximum Download Bandwidth → set percentage or absolute value
- Maximum Upload Bandwidth → limit uploads
Delivery Optimization Log
# Check recent Delivery Optimization activity
Get-WinEvent -LogName "Microsoft-Windows-Delivery-Optimization/Operational" -MaxEvents 20 |
Select-Object TimeCreated, Message | Format-List
When to Restrict It
Restrict if:
- You have a metered connection or data cap
- Updates are noticeably slowing your network
- You're on a business network where you control bandwidth
Leave default if:
- You have a fast unlimited connection
- You have multiple PCs at home (local peering actually speeds things up)
- You want to help other Windows users get updates faster
Summary
Limit bandwidth via Advanced options in Delivery Optimization — set download to 10-25% and monthly upload cap to 5 GB. To disable peer sharing: set DODownloadMode to 0 via registry or Group Policy. To check what's being uploaded: use Get-DeliveryOptimizationStatus.