How to choose network sharing options for Delivery Optimization in Windows 11
Delivery Optimization in Windows 11 helps your PC download updates and apps faster by smartly sharing parts of those files with other computers.
Delivery Optimization uses your internet connection and shares downloads with other PCs on your local network or over the internet. This built-in Windows feature works in the background to find the quickest and most reliable way to get needed files.
Delivery Optimization sharing affects your privacy by controlling how information is shared. Delivery Optimization is built with privacy in mind, and you have control over how Delivery Optimization shares information.
You can choose different network sharing settings to make sure Delivery Optimization works best for your needs and comfort level. For example, you can select "Group (smart cache)" to download Windows updates from other PCs on your local network, which saves internet bandwidth.
To manage Delivery Optimization network sharing, open Settings, navigate to Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. Here, you can choose “Allow downloads from other devices” to enable sharing on your local network or the internet, or turn it off for direct downloads only from Microsoft.
Choosing How Your Computer Shares Downloaded Files
Here’s how to change these settings:
- Open Settings. Click the Start button, then click the gear icon that says “Settings.”
- Go to Windows Update. In Settings, find and click on “ Windows Update.”
- Find Advanced options. On the Windows Update screen, click on “Advanced options.”
- Locate Delivery Optimization. In Advanced options, click on “Delivery Optimization.”
- Manage Downloads from Other Devices. This is where you make the main choice. Look for an option called “Allow downloads from other devices.”
- If you want your computer to download parts of updates from other computers on your home network (like other PCs or some Xboxes), turn this option to On. This can make downloads faster, especially if your internet is slow.
If you turn it On, you will see more choices:
- Devices on my local network: This is a good option. Your computer will only download from other devices on your home network. This is generally safe and can still make downloads faster without using other people’s computers.
- Devices on the internet and my local network: This option lets your computer download from other computers on your home network and from the internet. This can make downloads the fastest, but it means your computer might download from and upload to computers you don’t know.
- If you want your computer to only download directly from Microsoft and not share or get files from other computers, turn “Allow downloads from other devices” to Off. You will still get all your updates and apps, but it might take a little longer, and your internet connection will do all the work.
Good tip: For most people at home, choosing “Devices on my local network” when “Allow downloads from other devices” is “On” offers a good balance between speed and safety. It uses your home network without sharing files over the public internet.
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Summary
Delivery Optimization in Windows 11 speeds up downloads by sharing files between devices on your local network or the internet. You can easily manage these sharing options within Windows Settings, under the Windows Update advanced settings. This control ensures you can decide how your computer participates in file sharing for updates.
What is the best network connection setting for 🪟 Windows 11?
When you first connect to a network in Windows 11, it's set as public by default. This is the recommended setting. However, you can set it as public or private depending on the network and what you want to do: Public network (Recommended): Use this for networks you connect to at home, work, or in a public place.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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