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Choose Devices on my local network to share eligible update and app downloads only with PCs on your LAN, choose Devices on the internet and my local network to include internet peers, or turn sharing off to stop peer exchange. Updates and apps will still download directly from Microsoft when sharing is off.
What Delivery Optimization sharing does
Delivery Optimization is Windows’ downloader for Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, and other Microsoft content. For eligible downloads, Windows can obtain different parts from Microsoft and other PCs, and can send parts from your PC to other PCs based on your sharing settings. Microsoft describes reduced internet bandwidth across multiple devices and improved download success on limited or unreliable connections as possible benefits, not guaranteed results for every network. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
Windows devices use peer sharing on the local network by default; internet peer sharing is a separate choice. If you disable peer sharing, Windows continues to get updates directly from Microsoft rather than from another local PC. Microsoft Support: Windows Update Delivery Optimization and privacy
Choose the sharing scope that fits your network
| Setting | What it permits | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Devices on my local network | Peer exchange with devices on your LAN, not internet peers. | You want nearby PCs to exchange eligible content but do not want to include internet peers. |
| Devices on the internet and my local network | Peer exchange with local devices and internet peers. | You accept broader exchange and want the option to use or contribute peer content beyond your LAN. |
| Off | No peer downloads or uploads; downloads come directly from Microsoft. | You do not want your PC exchanging eligible content with other PCs. |
Microsoft says a metered or capped connection will not automatically download or send parts of updates or apps to internet peers. This does not mean metered status has no effect on updates: some updates might not install automatically on a metered connection. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization and privacy Microsoft Support: Metered connections in Windows
Change the Delivery Optimization setting
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization.
- Under Allow downloads from other devices, turn the option on to enable peer exchange, then select Devices on my local network or Devices on the internet and my local network.
- Turn the option off if you want to stop peer downloads and uploads. Windows will continue downloading updates directly from Microsoft.
These controls choose the peer scope; they do not determine whether Windows updates are enabled. If the setting is unavailable or marked as managed by your organization, an administrator may control it through policy. Contact your organization’s IT support to learn which policy applies. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
Limit bandwidth and monthly uploads
Delivery Optimization adjusts bandwidth use automatically, and Windows provides additional controls for automatic update downloads:
- Download limits: Set an absolute limit in Mbps or a percentage of measured available bandwidth. Limits can cover background downloads, foreground downloads, or both. A lower percentage uses less bandwidth but can make delivery slower.
- Upload limits: Set the percentage of bandwidth used for uploads and a monthly upload maximum. Microsoft documents a selectable monthly maximum from 1 to 500 GB.
Microsoft says these bandwidth limits apply to automatic update downloads, not a download you manually start—for example, starting an update in Windows Update settings or downloading a Store app. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
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You can mark a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as metered under Settings > Network & internet. Metered status can affect how Windows and some apps behave, and some updates might not install automatically. Windows 11 also has a separate option for downloading updates over metered connections. Treat this as a network-level data control, not a substitute for choosing the Delivery Optimization peer scope. Microsoft Support: Metered connections in Windows
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Check whether peer sharing is useful
Open Delivery Optimization > Activity monitor to view current-month download sources, average speed, and upload statistics. Use those figures to see what has happened on this PC and whether you may want to adjust sharing or upload limits. Past activity describes previous transfers; it does not establish that a setting will improve future download speeds. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
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