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Use Delivery Optimization Monitor to Control Windows Update Bandwidth in Windows 10/11

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Use Delivery Optimization Monitor to Control Windows Update Bandwidth in Windows 10/11​

Difficulty: Beginner | Time Required: 10 minutes
Windows updates are important for security, stability, and new features—but they can also use a surprising amount of internet bandwidth. If you’ve ever noticed slow downloads, buffering video, or lag during gaming while Windows is updating in the background, Delivery Optimization Monitor can help you understand what’s happening and make better choices about update bandwidth.
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, Delivery Optimization is the feature that manages how update files are downloaded from Microsoft and, in some cases, shared with other PCs. The Monitor section lets you see how much data is coming from Microsoft, from PCs on your local network, or from internet-based peer devices. Once you know where the bandwidth is going, you can adjust the related settings to limit background usage and keep your connection more responsive.
This guide walks you through how to open Delivery Optimization Monitor, read the information it shows, and use nearby settings to control Windows Update bandwidth more effectively.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, make sure you have:
  • A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
  • Administrator access recommended for changing update-related settings
  • An active internet connection
  • Windows Update available and functioning normally
Note: Delivery Optimization Monitor is built into supported versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. The exact layout may vary slightly depending on your version, especially between older Windows 10 builds and newer Windows 11 releases.
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Step 1: Open Windows Update settings​

First, you’ll need to get to the update area in Settings.
  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • In Windows 11, click Windows Update in the left pane.
    • In Windows 10, click Update & Security, then select Windows Update.
This is the main area where Windows checks for, downloads, and installs updates.
Tip: If updates are currently downloading, this is a good time to review Delivery Optimization activity because the monitor will show more useful live data.
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Step 2: Open Advanced options​

Now go to the advanced update controls.
  1. In the Windows Update screen, click Advanced options.
In some Windows 10 versions, this may be listed directly under Windows Update. In Windows 11, it is typically easy to spot in the main Windows Update page.

Step 3: Open Delivery Optimization​

Next, navigate to the bandwidth and peer delivery settings.
  1. In Advanced options, find and click Delivery Optimization.
This section controls whether your PC downloads updates only from Microsoft or also from other PCs, either on your local network or on the internet.

What you may see here​

Depending on your Windows version, you may see:
  • Allow downloads from other PCs
  • Options for:
    • Devices on my local network
    • Devices on the internet and my local network
Warning: Allowing downloads from PCs on the internet can improve update speed in some cases, but it may also increase data use on metered or limited connections.
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Step 4: Open Activity monitor / Delivery Optimization Monitor​

This is the key section for tracking bandwidth usage.
  1. Inside Delivery Optimization, click Activity monitor.
On some systems, users refer to this as Delivery Optimization Monitor, though Microsoft often labels it as Activity monitor in Settings.
Here you’ll see statistics such as:
  • Download statistics
    • From Microsoft
    • From cache server (if applicable in managed/business environments)
    • From PCs on your local network
    • From PCs on the internet
  • Upload statistics
    • Uploaded to PCs on the internet
    • Uploaded to PCs on your local network
  • Monthly totals
    • Useful for estimating how much data Delivery Optimization is using over time
This information helps you understand whether Windows Update is primarily pulling files directly from Microsoft or using peer-to-peer delivery.
Note: Home users usually see the most useful information in the Microsoft, local network, and internet PC categories. Cache server entries are more common in business or school-managed devices.
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Step 5: Review what the monitor is telling you​

Before changing settings, take a minute to interpret the data.

Download sources​

If most downloads are listed as:
  • From Microsoft: Your PC is getting update files directly from Microsoft’s servers.
  • From PCs on my local network: Another PC in your home or office may already have the update, which can reduce internet use.
  • From PCs on the internet: Windows is using peer-to-peer update delivery from external devices.

Upload activity​

If you notice significant upload totals, your PC may be sharing downloaded update data with other systems.
This can matter if:
  • Your internet plan has limited monthly data
  • Your upload speeds are slow
  • Video calls, streaming, or online gaming are being affected
Helpful tip: If your internet connection feels slow during updates, the monitor helps confirm whether update downloads or uploads are contributing to the problem.
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Step 6: Adjust Delivery Optimization sharing settings​

If the monitor shows more sharing activity than you want, go back one screen and change the main setting.
  1. Return to the Delivery Optimization page.
  2. Find Allow downloads from other PCs.
  3. Choose the option that best fits your needs:

Option A: Turn it Off​

  • Best if you want the simplest setup
  • Your PC will download updates directly from Microsoft only
  • Can reduce peer upload activity

Option B: Local network only​

  • Best for homes or offices with multiple Windows PCs
  • Lets devices share update files only within your network
  • Helps reduce repeated internet downloads

Option C: Local network and internet​

  • Can potentially speed up delivery in some cases
  • May use more upload bandwidth and data
  • Usually not ideal for limited or metered connections
Recommendation: For most home users, Local network only offers a good balance between update efficiency and bandwidth control.
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Step 7: Set bandwidth limits​

To directly control how much internet bandwidth Windows uses for updates, use the advanced bandwidth settings.
  1. In the Delivery Optimization page, click Advanced options.
  2. Review the available bandwidth controls.
You may see options such as:
  • Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background
  • Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the foreground
  • Limit how much bandwidth is used for uploading updates to other PCs
  • Monthly upload limit
These settings may be shown as percentages or sliders, depending on your Windows version.

Suggested beginner-friendly settings​

If Windows Update feels too aggressive, try:
  • Enable background download limit
  • Set a moderate value, such as 10% to 25%
  • Enable upload limit if you do not want your PC using much outbound bandwidth
  • Set a monthly upload cap if your ISP has data limits
Tip: Start with conservative limits, then adjust if updates become too slow. Very low settings can make large feature updates take much longer.
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Step 8: Consider metered connection settings​

If you’re using mobile data, a hotspot, or a limited broadband plan, metered connections can further reduce update data usage.
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to:
    • Windows 11: Network & internet
    • Windows 10: Network & Internet
  3. Select your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
  4. Turn on Metered connection.
When a connection is marked as metered, Windows typically reduces non-essential background data activity.
Warning: Some important updates may still download eventually, especially critical security updates.
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Tips and Troubleshooting Notes​

If Activity monitor shows little or no data​

That usually means:
  • No recent update activity has occurred
  • Delivery Optimization is not actively being used
  • Your PC recently restarted and the counters are low
Try checking again while Windows is downloading updates.

If updates are still slowing your internet​

In addition to Delivery Optimization settings:
  • Pause updates temporarily from the Windows Update page
  • Schedule updates for off-hours
  • Switch from internet and local network sharing to local network only or off
  • Reduce bandwidth in Advanced options

If the Delivery Optimization page looks different​

That can happen due to:
  • Different Windows 10/11 versions
  • Home vs Pro/Enterprise editions
  • Organization-managed policies on work or school PCs
If your device is managed by an employer or school, some options may be locked.

If you have multiple PCs at home​

Using local network only can be helpful. One PC can download update content, and others can reuse it locally, reducing total internet traffic.

If you use gaming, streaming, or video calls often​

Lowering background update bandwidth can make your connection feel much smoother during active use.

Conclusion​

Delivery Optimization Monitor is a simple but useful tool for seeing how Windows Update uses your internet connection. By checking the Activity monitor and adjusting Delivery Optimization and bandwidth limits, you can reduce slowdowns, control data usage, and make updates less disruptive.
For most users, the best approach is to monitor activity first, then choose local network only or disable peer sharing entirely if bandwidth is limited. Combined with bandwidth limits and metered connection settings, this gives you much better control over Windows Update behavior in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Key Takeaways:
  • Delivery Optimization Monitor shows where Windows update data is coming from and going to
  • You can use it to identify heavy download or upload activity
  • Setting Local network only is often the best balance for home users
  • Bandwidth limits help prevent Windows Update from slowing down your connection
  • Metered connections add extra control on limited data plans
This tutorial was generated to help WindowsForum.com users get the most out of their Windows experience.
 

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