Windows 11 includes a feature called Delivery Optimization that can silently consume your internet bandwidth by uploading Windows updates to strangers across the globe. By default, it turns your PC into a P2P seed box for Microsoft, sharing update and Store app content with other devices on your local network and the internet. While the goal is to speed up downloads and reduce server load, many users don’t realize they’re hosting files for others — until their bandwidth caps or network performance take a hit.

Fortunately, you can take back control. Whether you want to restrict sharing to your home network or kill all Uploads dead, Windows 11 offers clear toggles and group policy settings. Here’s exactly how Delivery Optimization works, why it matters, and every way to configure it for your needs.

What Is Windows 11 Delivery Optimization?

Delivery Optimization is Microsoft’s peer‑to‑peer update system built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Instead of downloading every security patch and feature update from Microsoft’s servers alone, your PC can pull pieces of those files from other devices on the same network — or, by default, from any PC on the internet that already has the update cached. In turn, your machine can upload parts of the update to other computers seeking them.

Microsoft introduced the feature to ease the crush on its own infrastructure during Patch Tuesday spikes and to deliver updates faster in bandwidth‑constrained environments. However, the “internet” sharing option means your upload bandwidth is being used to serve Microsoft’s content to strangers. Over a metered connection or a low‑cap plan, that matters a lot.

The Hidden Cost: Unwanted Uploads Eating Your Bandwidth

The default setting in Windows 11 is “Allow downloads from other PCs” set to “On” with both local and internet sharing enabled. Unless you changed it during setup or after an upgrade, your computer is actively participating in the Windows Update swarm. For users with fast, uncapped fiber, the impact might be negligible. But for millions on DSL, satellite, or mobile hotspots, every megabyte uploaded means less data for work meetings, streaming, or gaming.

Delivery Optimization uploads only the pieces of updates you’ve already downloaded. It doesn’t touch personal files, but the effect on your connection can still feel intrusive. Windows doesn’t prominently notify you when this upload activity spikes, though you can find it by digging into Task Manager or the Delivery Optimization activity monitor.

How to Check Your Current Delivery Optimization Settings

Before changing anything, see where you stand. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. The main toggle “Allow downloads from other PCs” will be on if the feature is active. Below it, you’ll see the current sharing scope: “Devices on my local network” or “Devices on the internet and my local network.”

To view real‑time usage, click “Activity monitor” at the bottom. It shows upload and download statistics from Delivery Optimization over the past month, including how much data came from Microsoft servers versus other PCs.

The Three Ways to Tame Delivery Optimization

You can tighten the reins immediately through the Settings app, or use Group Policy and Registry hacks for broader control.

Option 1: Switch to Local Network Only

If you still want the speed boost of P2P within your home or office but don’t want your PC flinging data across the open internet, choose local only.

  1. Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization.
  2. Ensure the “Allow downloads from other PCs” toggle is On.
  3. Under it, select Devices on my local network.

Now your computer will only exchange update bits with devices sharing the same router subnet. Your internet bandwidth is untouched for uploads — only downloads may occasionally pull from local peers.

Option 2: Disable P2P Sharing Entirely

To stop all uploads and downloads via Delivery Optimization, turn the feature off entirely. Your PC will then grab every update directly from Microsoft’s content delivery network.

  1. Go to the same Delivery Optimization settings page.
  2. Toggle “Allow downloads from other PCs” to Off.

That’s it. Delivery Optimization goes dark. You’ll see a message that turning it off may slow updates, but for most broadband users the difference is negligible. Microsoft’s servers are generally robust, and you’ll never again worry about your PC serving as a relay.

Option 3: Use Group Policy or Registry for System‑Wide Control

IT pros and power users can lock down Delivery Optimization across multiple PCs or enforce policies that can’t be easily toggled.

Group Policy method:
- Open gpedit.msc (Local Group Policy Editor).
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Delivery Optimization.
- Double‑click the policy Download Mode.
- Set it to Enabled, then choose an option from the dropdown:
- 0 – HTTP only, no peering (disables P2P)
- 1 – LAN (1) (local network only)
- 99 – Simple download mode with no peering (disables Delivery Optimization entirely)
- Click OK and reboot.

Registry method:
- Open regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeliveryOptimization\Config.
- Create or modify the DWORD (32‑bit) value named DODownloadMode.
- Set it to 0 for HTTP only (no peer‑to‑peer).
- Set it to 1 for local network only.
- Set it to 99 for download mode only (disables uploads).
- Close the editor and restart.

These methods override the Settings app and are useful when managing many machines or creating a standard image.

Understanding the Download Options and Limits

Under Delivery Optimization’s Advanced options, you can cap bandwidth usage to prevent updates from hogging your connection, whether from peers or Microsoft’s servers.

  • Download settings: You can set an absolute percentage of your bandwidth for foreground and background downloads. For example, limit background updates to 20% of your total speed so streaming isn’t interrupted.
  • Upload settings: Here’s the critical one. Drag the slider to limit how much upload bandwidth Delivery Optimization can use for other PCs (capped at 5–100%). Set a low value like 10% if you want to allow sharing but minimally impact performance.
  • Monthly upload limit: You can cap total gigabytes uploaded to internet peers per month. Once the limit is hit, your PC stops serving files until the next month’s cycle.

Even with these limits, switching to local‑only or off is the simplest guarantee that your internet connection isn’t strained by outbound P2P traffic.

Does Turning Off Delivery Optimization Slow Updates?

Not appreciably for most users. While Delivery Optimization can accelerate downloads by pulling from nearby peers, Microsoft’s cache servers are globally distributed and typically fast. If you’re on a broadband connection with decent speed, disabling the feature will add maybe a few seconds to update downloads, often less. The real slowdowns happen when you rely on a slow peer or when the internet swarm has incomplete pieces; a direct server connection can sometimes be more reliable.

On the flip side, if you’re in a bandwidth‑scarce environment with multiple Windows 11 PCs on the same network, enabling local network sharing can drastically reduce internet data consumption. One PC downloads the update once, and the others get it locally. That’s the ideal scenario for Delivery Optimization.

The Privacy Angle: What Data Gets Shared?

Microsoft states Delivery Optimization “doesn’t access your personal files or folders, and it doesn’t change any of the security settings on your PC.” The only data shared are the update binaries themselves, which are cryptographically verified before execution. However, for the P2P internet sharing to function, your public IP address is shared with other peers so they can connect to you. That’s inherent to any torrent‑like system.

If you’re uncomfortable with your IP being broadcast to a swarm of unknown Windows users, switching to local network only eliminates that exposure. Disabling the feature altogether removes even internal network activity.

The Bottom Line

Windows 11’s Delivery Optimization is one of those quiet features that can surprise you if you’re not watching. It’s useful for certain scenarios, but Microsoft’s decision to default to internet‑wide sharing — and sometimes revert settings after feature updates — means you should check this setting proactively.

Take two minutes to open Settings and decide what’s right for you: Local network sharing for home efficiency, or completely off for maximum privacy and no bandwidth surprises. Either way, you’ll stop your PC from acting as an unpaid Microsoft update server.