Windows Update ensures that your system stays secure and up to date, but some of its features may impact your internet speed in ways you might not realize. One such feature is Delivery Optimization, specifically the setting labeled “Allow downloads from other PCs.” While designed to make updates more efficient, this setting can actually slow down your internet for regular use. Let’s explore how disabling this option can give your PC’s internet speed a noticeable boost.
What Is Delivery Optimization?
Delivery Optimization is a Windows feature that helps speed up the update process by enabling your PC to receive update files not just from Microsoft’s servers, but also from other PCs over the internet or on your local network. In addition, with “Allow downloads from other PCs” enabled, your computer can also upload parts of update files to other PCs, essentially acting as a node in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network for Windows updates.
How Does This Affect Your Internet Speed?
1. Upload Bandwidth Consumption
Most internet connections offer higher download speeds than upload speeds. With Delivery Optimization’s P2P sharing on, your PC may upload update files to other devices—even PCs on the internet, depending on your settings.
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Effect: This means your precious upload bandwidth is being used without your knowledge, which can slow down activities that rely on upload speed, such as video calls, online gaming, and even simple web browsing.
2. Increased Network Congestion
If there are multiple devices on your home or office network, Delivery Optimization can increase internal network traffic as PCs exchange update files.
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Effect: The extra background data transfers can congest your local network, causing slowdowns and reduced performance for everyone connected.
3. Reduced Speed for Day-to-Day Tasks
When your bandwidth is shared between updating, uploading, and your regular internet activities, you may notice lag, buffering, or slowness when streaming videos, scrolling through social media, or downloading files.
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Effect: By eliminating background upload tasks, your PC can dedicate more bandwidth to the things you actually want to do.
4. Better Control Over Data Usage
For anyone with a limited or metered data plan, sharing updates with others can quickly use up your data allotment.
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Effect: Disabling this feature helps prevent unexpected spikes in data usage that could lead to extra charges or throttling by your service provider.
How to Turn Off ‘Allow Downloads from Other PCs’
To disable this feature and potentially speed up your internet:
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Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
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Click on Advanced options.
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Select Delivery Optimization.
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Toggle off ‘Allow downloads from other PCs’.
What Will Change After Disabling This Option?
| Setting | With Option ON | With Option OFF |
|---|---|---|
| PC uploads updates | Yes | No |
| Uses extra bandwidth | Yes | No |
| Internal network load | Higher | Lower |
| Internet speed impact | Slower, especially upload speed | Faster, more predictable speeds |
| Data usage control | Less (updates can use data in background) | More (no hidden sharing) |
In Summary:
If you want to maximize your PC’s internet speed—especially your upload speed, or if you’re on a slow or metered connection—turning off “Allow downloads from other PCs” in Delivery Optimization is a smart move. It prevents your PC from acting as a server for Microsoft updates, ensuring your bandwidth is used primarily for the things you care about most.
Tip: Advanced users in environments with multiple Windows PCs may want to keep this feature enabled for local networks only, as that can still speed up updates without using internet bandwidth. For most users, however, disabling it fully offers the best balance of performance and bandwidth control.