Like many other features, Delivery Optimization is critical in enhancing Windows functionality. It enables your desktop to exchange updates with the other machines on your network, making the download of other updates in Windows or just the system much faster. But its file also consumes a considerable amount of disk space. Hence, having an insight into how to deal with the Delivery Optimization cache in Windows is important in saving your desktop from gradually slowing down. Let’s get started!
If you rarely encounter large files on your desktop that affect your processes and hence cause some lag, then it is high time that you delete the Delivery Optimization cache.
Option 1: Via Disk Cleanup
The only option to delete cache files of Delivery Optimization is through Disk Cleanup. Follow the steps mentioned below to do the same:
1. To perform disk cleanup, go to Start, then open a search bar and type Disk Cleanup.
2. Click on Open.
3. By the end of Files to delete, scroll down and check the Delivery Optimization Files.
4. Click on OK.
5. From the confirmation dialog box, select Delete Files.
Option 2: Via PowerShell
The other way to delete the Delivery Optimization cache files is through a PowerShell command. Here is what it would look like. Check out how to do so:
1. In the search bar, type PowerShell or Command Prompt, then click Open as an administrator.
2. You should now type the command as del /s /q “%SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*”
3. Tab Enter.
Is it Safe to Delete Delivery Optimization Files from Your Computer?
Yes, Delivery Optimization cache files that are stored in large amounts can be easily deleted without fear of losing any important changes.
What Happens If I Delete Delivery Optimization Files?
The only drawback for this program’s users is that the new updates will download more slowly because your desktop will have to re-download any cached data.
How to Control Windows Update Delivery Optimization
If your Delivery Optimization is not updating every file, here is how you can choose to change its settings:
1. Go to the Windows update by clicking the setting button or opening the drop-down menu and then selecting the system.
2. Further down, scroll down, and click on Advanced options.
3. If you are in Additional options, select Delivery Optimization.
How to Disable Delivery Optimization in Windows 10
If you wish to turn off Delivery Optimization for Windows 10 or 11 completely, follow the steps mentioned below to do the same:
1. To stop WUFO, the reader only needs to follow steps 1-3 of the previous heading on How to Control Windows Update Delivery Optimization.
2. Toggle off the Allow downloads from other PCs.
How Often Should I Clear the Delivery Optimization Cache?
Windows does not specify a frequency for performing the Delivery Optimization Cache. You may decide to force the cache to be cleared, at least when performance is poor, or disk space is not enough. Otherwise, the cache is automatically controlled on the Windows side to achieve the best result when deploying updates.
