Delivery Optimization Files in Windows 10 and Windows 11: What They Are and How to Free Up Disk Space

If you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11, you may have noticed that your hard drive space decreases over time, often taken up by seemingly unnecessary files. One category of these files is Delivery Optimization Files. Let's explore what these files are, why they’re created, and how you can safely delete them to free up disk space.

What Are Delivery Optimization Files?

Delivery Optimization Files are temporary files created by Windows to speed up the update process and application installations on computers. The system uses a mechanism called Delivery Optimization, which downloads and shares updates more efficiently by allowing partially downloaded files to be shared with other devices on the local network or even across the internet.

This process helps reduce server load for Microsoft and speeds up downloads for users by sourcing updates not only from Microsoft’s central server but also from other devices. However, these files can accumulate over time, consuming a considerable amount of space on your hard drive.

Is It Safe to Delete Delivery Optimization Files?

Yes, deleting these files is safe and can free up disk space, especially if you have limited storage. Removing them won’t impact your system’s functionality since Windows can re-download any required files if necessary.

How to Delete Delivery Optimization Files in Windows 10 and Windows 11

To delete Delivery Optimization Files, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings (press Win + I).
  2. Go to System → Storage.
  3. Find the Temporary files section and click on it.
  4. Select Delivery Optimization Files and any other temporary files you want to remove.
  5. Click the Remove files button to free up space.

This process takes only a few minutes, and once completed, you’ll regain disk space without impacting your system's performance.

Adjusting Delivery Optimization Settings to Limit Disk Usage

To prevent future buildup of these files, you can adjust Delivery Optimization settings:

  1. Open Settings and choose Update & Security.
  2. Go to Delivery Optimization.
  3. Here, you can disable data sharing with other devices or limit the bandwidth usage if you prefer.

These settings can help you better manage disk space and network usage, especially useful if you have a slow or limited internet connection.