In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization. Under Allow downloads from other devices, choose local-network sharing, local-and-internet sharing, or turn peer sharing off. You can still receive Windows updates and apps directly from Microsoft when sharing is off.
What the three sharing choices mean
Delivery Optimization is Windows’ cloud-based downloader for Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, and other Microsoft content. It can retrieve eligible download parts from Microsoft and other PCs, and share parts from your PC with other devices. Windows may use different sources for different parts of a download. Microsoft describes possible benefits such as reducing internet bandwidth use across multiple devices and helping downloads succeed on limited or unreliable connections; these are potential benefits, not guaranteed speed improvements. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
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| Setting | Peer scope | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Off | No peer downloads or uploads | You do not want the PC exchanging eligible content with other PCs. Windows continues downloading updates directly from Microsoft. |
| Devices on my local network | Devices on the same local network | You want eligible content to be shared among devices on your home or workplace network, but not with internet peers. Microsoft says local-network peer sharing is the default scope for Windows devices when peer sharing is enabled. |
| Devices on the internet and my local network | Local-network devices and internet peers | You are comfortable with broader peer exchange and want the possibility of downloading from or uploading to eligible PCs beyond your LAN. |
These options change peer exchange, not whether Windows receives updates. Microsoft says turning Delivery Optimization off makes each device download updates directly from Microsoft instead of obtaining them from a local PC that already has them. Microsoft Support: Windows Update Delivery Optimization and privacy
How to choose a scope
Choose local-network devices for LAN-only sharing
Select Devices on my local network if you want PCs in your household or workplace to exchange eligible content while keeping the peer scope within the local network. This is the narrower of the two sharing choices. It is a practical middle ground when you want local peer exchange but do not want internet peers included.
Choose internet and local network for broader exchange
Select Devices on the internet and my local network only if you accept that eligible content may be exchanged with internet peers as well as local devices. A metered or capped connection will not automatically download or send parts of updates or apps to internet peers, according to Microsoft. Microsoft Support: Windows Update Delivery Optimization and privacy
Turn sharing off to avoid peer exchange
Turn off Allow downloads from other devices if you do not want your PC to download from or upload to peers. Updates and apps remain available directly from Microsoft, though the device will no longer get update content from a local PC that already downloaded it. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
Limit bandwidth and uploads
In Delivery Optimization settings, open Advanced options to manage bandwidth. Microsoft documents controls for automatic update downloads and uploads:
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Download limits: Set an absolute cap in Mbps or a percentage of measured available bandwidth. Limits can apply to background downloads, foreground downloads, or both. A lower percentage uses less bandwidth but can make updates take longer.
- Upload limits: Set the percentage of bandwidth available for uploads and a monthly upload maximum. Microsoft documents a selectable monthly limit from 1 to 500 GB.
- Important scope limit: These bandwidth limits apply to automatic update downloads, not to a download you start manually, such as starting an update in Windows Update settings or downloading a Store app.
For connection-level data control, you can mark a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as metered in Settings > Network & internet. Microsoft cautions that some apps may behave differently and some updates may not install automatically on a metered connection. Windows 11 has a separate option for downloading updates over metered connections. Microsoft Support: Metered connections in Windows
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Check whether peer sharing is useful
Open Delivery Optimization > Activity monitor to see current-month download sources, average speed, and upload statistics. Use that information to judge whether the feature is exchanging content in a way that suits your connection and whether you want to change upload limits. The monitor describes recent activity; it cannot guarantee that a setting will improve the speed of a future download. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When the sharing setting is unavailable
If the toggle is grayed out or Windows says the settings are managed by your organization, an administrator may control Delivery Optimization or lock specific options. Ask your organization’s IT support which policy applies. Metered-connection settings may also be managed by an organization. Microsoft Support: Delivery Optimization in Windows Microsoft Support: Metered connections in Windows
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