Delivery Optimization is a Windows 11 feature that can use your PC’s internet connection to download updates more efficiently, and in some cases share update data with other devices. That can be useful on a busy network, but it is not ideal if you want tighter control over bandwidth, privacy, or background network activity.
If you want to disable Delivery Optimization completely or limit it as much as possible, there are several ways to do it depending on your Windows edition and how permanent you want the change to be.
What Delivery Optimization Does
Delivery Optimization helps Windows download updates from Microsoft and, optionally, from other PCs on your local network or the internet. Microsoft uses it to speed up downloads and reduce load on its servers, but the feature can also use upload bandwidth in the background.
1. Turn Off Delivery Optimization in Settings
This is the simplest method and the best place to start. It disables peer-to-peer sharing and reduces Windows’ use of your PC for updating other devices.
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Go to Windows Update.
- Select Advanced options.
- Open Delivery Optimization.
- Turn off Allow downloads from other PCs.
2. Set Your Network as Metered
A metered connection tells Windows to be more conservative with background downloads. This does not always disable Delivery Optimization by itself, but it can significantly limit update activity and is useful on laptops, hotspot connections, and capped internet plans.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet.
- Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on your connection.
- Open your active network connection.
- Turn on Metered connection.
3. Disable Delivery Optimization with Group Policy
If you use Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, Group Policy is the cleanest way to fully control Delivery Optimization for a device or a managed environment.
- Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Delivery Optimization.
- Open Download Mode.
- Set the policy to Enabled and choose Bypass or HTTP only, depending on the behavior you want to limit.
- Apply the change and close Group Policy Editor.
4. Disable Delivery Optimization in the Registry
Registry editing is the most direct option for Windows 11 Home users, but it should be done carefully. This method is useful if you want to force Delivery Optimization off when the Settings app does not give you enough control.
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeliveryOptimization.
- If the DODownloadMode value exists, open it. If not, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named DODownloadMode.
- Set the value to 0 to disable peer-to-peer delivery behavior.
- Close Registry Editor and restart Windows if needed for the change to fully apply.
Which Method Should You Use?
- Use Settings if you want the fastest, simplest change.
- Use Metered connection if you mostly want to reduce background activity on a limited connection.
- Use Group Policy if you want the most reliable admin-level control on supported editions.
- Use the Registry Editor if you have Windows 11 Home or need a more manual method.
How to Confirm It Worked
After changing the setting, open Windows Update and check the Delivery Optimization page again. If peer-to-peer downloading is off, Windows should no longer offer the same sharing options, and network activity related to update sharing should drop.
What to Do If Windows Still Uses Bandwidth
- Confirm that Allow downloads from other PCs is turned off in Delivery Optimization settings.
- Check whether your connection is marked as metered.
- Review any work or school device management policies.
- Look for other background download activity, such as Microsoft Store updates or cloud sync tools.
Disabling Delivery Optimization can reduce update-related network usage, but it will not stop every Windows download. Other services, especially Windows Update itself and cloud-based apps, can still use bandwidth when needed.
