As gaming and digital platforms expand their reach, so do their software updates and download sizes. Gamers and users of the Xbox App on Windows 11 or 10 might sometimes find the need to limit the download speed of the Xbox Game Pass when downloading or updating games. Whether it’s to allow other devices on the network to function optimally, or to prevent overloading a bandwidth-limited connection, controlling download speeds can be quite crucial. This guide will look into how you can effectively limit the download speed of the Xbox App on your Windows 11/10 computer.
Also see: How to Limit CPU Usage of a Process in Windows 11
Page Contents
Why limit the Xbox app’s download speed?
Limiting the download speed of the Xbox App can sometimes be a necessity for several reasons:
- Bandwidth management: In households with multiple users streaming, gaming, or working from home, managing bandwidth can prevent one application or device from hogging all the internet speed.
- Improved stability: By capping the download speed, it can sometimes lead to a more stable connection, especially during peak usage times.
- Multitasking: If you’re downloading a large game on the Xbox app but also need bandwidth for other tasks, setting a limit can ensure a smoother experience.
Useful tip: How to Enable Net Speed Monitor in Windows 11
How to limit download speed of Xbox Game Pass app in Windows 11/10
While the Xbox Game Pass for PC app doesn’t offer native controls for bandwidth regulation, you can still manage its download speed indirectly through Windows settings, particularly through the Delivery Optimization feature.
Delivery Optimization is a Windows feature designed to regulate and optimize the download of Windows updates, apps from the Microsoft Store, and other Windows-related tasks. The Xbox app relies on this system for its downloads. Hence, by adjusting the Delivery Optimization settings, you effectively modify the download behavior of the app itself.
Linked issue: Windows 11 Delivery Optimization High Network Usage
Here’s how to limit the download speed of Xbox app via the Delivery Optimization settings:
- Click on the Windows Start button located at the center of your taskbar.
- Select the “Settings” gear icon.
- In the Settings window, navigate to “Windows Update” on the left sidebar.
- Now, click on “Advanced options” under the “More settings” section.
- Scroll down and click on “Delivery Optimization”.
- Within the Delivery Optimization section, click on “Advanced options”.
- Here, you’ll be presented with controls to set the bandwidth limits for both downloads and uploads. By adjusting these settings, you can specify exact bandwidth limits in Mbps.
- Under “Download settings”, select the “Absolute bandwidth” radio button.
- Then, enable the checkboxes next to “Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background” and “Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the foreground”.
- Next, input your desired Mbps limit in the provided “Mbps” fields. Modifying this will impact the Xbox Game Pass app’s download speed as it uses the Delivery Optimization framework for its downloads.
- If needed, you can also set a limit for upload speeds under “Upload settings”.
- Ensure all changes are saved or confirmed.
By adjusting the Delivery Optimization settings in Windows, you can indirectly control the download speeds of the Xbox Game Pass app. This ensures that, while Xbox Game Pass is downloading or updating games, your other online activities remain smooth and unhindered. It’s a handy trick that bridges the gap in the app’s native settings, providing you the control you need over your bandwidth.
Related resource: Can I Delete Delivery Optimization Files in Windows 11?
Implications of setting a download limit on Delivery Optimization
When you set a bandwidth limit for Delivery Optimization, it doesn’t only affect the Xbox Game Pass app; the impact is more expansive. Delivery Optimization is essentially a backbone for multiple Windows-associated download tasks. By setting a limit, you are influencing several processes, including:
- Windows Updates: This is the primary function that Delivery Optimization was designed for. Windows Updates ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest security patches, feature releases, and bug fixes. A bandwidth limit might extend the time it takes to download these updates.
- Microsoft Store downloads: Any application, game, or content you download from the Microsoft Store will also adhere to the bandwidth limits set in Delivery Optimization. This means that if you’re fetching a large app or multiple apps from the Store, they might download at a slower pace based on the limits you’ve set.
- Other Windows services: Various other services and functions that rely on downloading content will be subjected to the bandwidth limits. For instance, features that involve syncing with online data, downloading language packs, or fetching additional Windows resources could be affected.
- Peer-to-peer updates sharing: One of the features of Delivery Optimization is the ability to send and receive updates from other PCs, either on your local network or on the Internet. If you’ve enabled this feature, the bandwidth limit you set would also affect the speed at which your PC sends updates to others or receives updates from them.
Pro tip: Change Ethernet from 100Mbps to 1Gbps in Windows 11/10
Striking the right balance when limiting download or upload speed
Setting a limit in Delivery Optimization can be beneficial when you want to ensure that critical online tasks aren’t disrupted by background downloads, such as game updates from the Xbox app. However, striking a balance is crucial. If you set the limit too low, essential updates and downloads might take significantly longer than anticipated. On the other hand, not setting a limit could interfere with immediate online activities. Here are some factors to consider:
- Total bandwidth: Understand your connection’s total available bandwidth. This is usually mentioned in your internet plan. If you’re unsure, many online tools can measure it for you.
- Active hours: If you’re mainly using your PC for work or study during the day, consider allocating more bandwidth to the Xbox Game Pass app during nighttime hours, and less during the day.
- Other users: If you’re not the only person using the network, consult with other users. Maybe someone else is also planning a hefty download or has important online tasks. Coordinating can prevent disputes and ensure a smooth experience for all.
Handy guide: How to Know Which App is Using The Internet in Windows 11
Conclusion
The Xbox Game Pass app doesn’t let you limit the download speed directly from its settings. However, since it works closely with Windows, you can use the Windows Delivery Optimization feature to control how fast games and updates download on the Xbox app. It’s a handy trick when you want to make sure your downloads don’t use up all your internet speed.
But, remember, when you change the settings to limit download speeds in Delivery Optimization, it affects more than just the Xbox app. Other things like Windows updates and apps from the Microsoft Store will also follow the speed limits you set. So, it’s a good idea to think about what other online tasks you do and find a balance. That way, everything runs smoothly on your computer.
