Delivery Optimization is a default feature in Windows 11 that plays an essential role in managing the way updates are downloaded and installed. However, it is not uncommon for this feature to accumulate files, consuming valuable hard drive space. Many users often wonder whether it’s safe to delete these files. In this article, we’ll discuss the purpose of Delivery Optimization files and how you can safely remove them from your Windows 11 computer.
Also see: Windows 11 Delivery Optimization High Network Usage
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What is Delivery Optimization?
Delivery Optimization is a built-in Windows feature designed to save bandwidth when downloading updates for your operating system. Instead of each computer independently downloading updates, Delivery Optimization enables the sharing of updates and apps across multiple devices in your local network and on the Internet.
This means that if one PC in the network downloads an update, other PCs in the same network can get the update from it instead of downloading it again from Microsoft servers. Thus, it significantly reduces the overall bandwidth used and speeds up the update installation process.
While Delivery Optimization is a helpful feature, it also creates temporary files during the process. These files can take up a considerable amount of storage space on your hard disk over time, especially if you don’t often clear your temporary files.
Pro tip: How to Delete Windows Update Files in Windows 11
Can you delete Delivery Optimization files?
Yes, Delivery Optimization files can be safely deleted from your Windows 11 system. These are essentially transient files created during the download and installation of updates. They do not contain any critical system data or personal user information. Hence, deleting them will not impact your computer’s functionality, data integrity, or stability.
However, it’s worth noting that these files serve a functional purpose in the update process. They act as local caches for updates, contributing to speeding up the installation process, particularly for computers within the same network. So, removing these files might mean that subsequent updates may take a little longer to download and install, as they’ll have to be downloaded afresh.
Useful guide: How to Clean C: Drive in Windows 11
How to delete Delivery Optimization files in Windows 11
Clearing out Delivery Optimization files in Windows 11 is relatively straightforward. There are two primary methods to achieve this: using the Windows Settings and utilizing the Disk Cleanup utility.
Method 1: Using Windows Settings
Windows 11 comes with an intuitive and comprehensive settings panel that gives you granular control over various aspects of the system, including storage and temporary files. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete Delivery Optimization files using Windows Settings:
- Open the Windows Settings by pressing Win + i on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start button and then select “Settings” from the context menu.
- In the Settings window, click on “System” on the left panel. It will open up various system settings options.
- From the expanded options, select “Storage”. Here, you’ll see a snapshot of your storage usage, with different categories of data and their respective space consumption.
- Scroll down to find and click on the “Temporary files” option.
- This action will open a new panel that lists various types of temporary files you can safely remove from your computer. Look for the option named “Delivery Optimization Files” and check the box beside it.
- After you’ve selected the necessary categories, click on the “Remove files” button to delete these files from your system.
Note: If you don’t see the “Delivery Optimization Files” option, it means there are no such files on your computer currently.
Related resource: How to Clean Up AppData Folder in Windows 11
Method 2: Using Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a robust built-in utility in Windows 11 that helps you to free up space on your hard disk. It can also be used to clean up Delivery Optimization files. Here’s how to use Disk Cleanup for this task:
- Access the “Run” dialog box by pressing Win + R on your keyboard.
- In the dialog box that appears, type “cleanmgr” and press Enter. This command will open the Disk Cleanup utility.
- In the Disk Cleanup window, you’ll see a dropdown menu for selecting the drive you wish to clean. Usually, you’ll want to clean your system drive, which is typically the C: drive. Select the appropriate drive and click “OK”.
- Disk Cleanup will then analyze your selected drive for files that can be removed to free up space. Once the scan is complete, you’ll see a list of file categories along with the amount of space you can potentially free up.
- In this list, look for the “Delivery Optimization Files” option. Check the box beside it to select it for cleanup.
- Finally, click on the “OK” button, and then click “Delete Files” in the confirmation dialog box that appears.
Note: Similar to the first method, if you don’t see the “Delivery Optimization Files” option, it means there are currently no such files on your computer.
Linked issue: Delete Windows.Old Folder in Windows 11/10, Access Denied?
Conclusion
Delivery Optimization is an ingenious and practical feature in Windows 11, designed to manage bandwidth usage effectively and speed up the update process. Although it’s safe to delete the temporary files it creates, it’s important to remember that these files do contribute to speeding up the download and installation of updates. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between conserving storage space and ensuring the efficiency of the update process.
Make it a habit to routinely check your storage settings and clean up unnecessary files. Proper management can keep your Windows 11 system running smoothly and efficiently. Whether you prefer to use the Settings method or the Disk Cleanup utility, both provide the means to manage your storage effectively and ensure your system maintains optimal performance.
