If you want to learn how to increase bandwidth in Windows 11/Windows 10 to increase download speed, you can restrict or turn off Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO). This is a feature that allows Windows 11/Windows 10 devices to download updates and apps from sources other than Microsoft servers to help speed up the update process and reduce bandwidth consumption, especially for devices with limited or unreliable internet connections.
Windows Update Delivery Optimization Can Impact Your Overall Bandwidth
Windows Update Delivery Optimization works by creating a peer-to-peer network of Windows 11/Windows 10 devices that share the same updates and apps. When a device needs to download an update or an app, it can request it from other devices on the local network or on the internet that have already downloaded it. This way, the device can get the update or app faster and more efficiently than downloading it from Microsoft servers.
Windows Update Delivery Optimization is enabled by default on Windows 10 devices, but users can customize its settings or turn it off completely. Users can choose whether to allow downloads from other PCs on the local network only or also from PCs on the internet. Users can also set bandwidth limits for WUDO uploads and downloads and monitor their activity.
Windows Update Delivery Optimization Affects All Types of Updates
Windows Update Delivery Optimization supports different types of downloads, including Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, Microsoft 365 updates, and Microsoft Defender Antivirus definitions. WUDO also works with different update management solutions, such as Windows Update for Business (WUfB), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Configuration Manager.
To ensure security and privacy, Windows Update Delivery Optimization uses encryption to protect the data transferred between devices. Windows Update Delivery Optimization does not access personal files or folders on the devices that participate in it. WUDO also does not identify or contact individual devices directly; instead, it uses anonymous tokens to communicate with them.
It is designed to optimize Windows update delivery without compromising user experience or system performance and adapts to changing network conditions and device states dynamically. WUDO respects user preferences and policies regarding bandwidth usage and battery life and also respects metered connections or VPNs.
How to Limit Bandwidth for Windows Update Downloads via Delivery Optimization
- Open Windows Settings via the start menu or pressing “Windows +I”
- Move to “Windows Update” and click on “Advanced Options”
- Click on “Delivery Optimization”
- Click on “Advanced options”
In this screen, you can already restrict to only allow Windows Update downloads on your local network.
- Choose download settings for Windows Delivery Optimization
The difference between absolute bandwidth and the percentage of measured bandwidth is that the former allows you to specify a fixed amount of bandwidth (in megabits per second) to download updates in the background. In contrast, the latter allows you to specify a percentage of your available bandwidth that can be used for the same purpose. The advantage of using absolute bandwidth is that you can have more control over how much network resources are allocated for updates, regardless of your internet speed. The advantage of using a percentage of measured bandwidth is that you can adjust the bandwidth usage dynamically based on your current network conditions.
- Choose upload settings for Windows Delivery Optimization
The upload limit determines how much of your internet bandwidth can be used to upload updates to other PCs on the internet. You can set a monthly upload limit in gigabytes (GB) or a percentage of your total bandwidth. You can also set a specific upload limit for background and foreground downloads. The upload limit setting can help you balance between sharing updates with other PCs and preserving your bandwidth for other tasks.
