Solving Windows 11 Windows Update Delivery Optimization Configuration

Understanding Delivery Optimization

Windows 11, like its predecessor Windows 10, comes with a built-in feature called Delivery Optimization that aims to improve the delivery and installation of Windows updates, feature upgrades, and Microsoft Store applications. Delivery Optimization is a reliable HTTP downloader with a cloud-managed solution, allowing Windows devices to download these packages from alternate sources, such as other devices on the network or a dedicated cache server, in addition to the traditional internet-based servers.

The primary purpose of Delivery Optimization is to reduce bandwidth consumption by sharing the work of downloading these packages among multiple devices in your deployment. This peer-to-peer functionality is optional, but when configured correctly, it can significantly improve the download experience and reduce the strain on your network infrastructure.

Configuring Delivery Optimization

Enabling Peer-to-Peer Sharing

By default, in Windows client Enterprise, Professional, and Education editions, Delivery Optimization is enabled for peer-to-peer sharing on the local network. This means that all devices behind the same Network Address Translation (NAT), either connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, can participate in the content sharing process.

However, you can configure Delivery Optimization settings differently using Group Policy or mobile device management (MDM) solutions like Microsoft Intune. The most common configuration options include:

1. Devices on my local network: This setting allows devices to download from other PCs on the same local network but not from the internet.
2. PCs on my local network and PCs on the Internet: This setting enables devices to download from both local network peers and PCs on the internet that are also downloading the same content.
3. Off: This setting disables peer-to-peer sharing entirely, and devices will only download updates and applications directly from Microsoft’s servers.

It’s important to note that for the peer-to-peer functionality to work effectively, the devices must have access to the internet and the Delivery Optimization cloud services.

Configuring Bandwidth Limits

Delivery Optimization can be configured to limit the amount of bandwidth it consumes, especially in scenarios where the network connection is metered or has a data cap. You can set the “Absolute bandwidth” setting in the Delivery Optimization configuration to a specific value (in Mbps) to limit the maximum download and upload speeds.

For example, if you have a metered connection with a 10 Mbps download limit, you could set the “Absolute bandwidth” setting to 5 Mbps to ensure Delivery Optimization doesn’t saturate the available bandwidth.

Proxy Server Configuration

If your environment uses a proxy server, you’ll need to ensure that Delivery Optimization is properly configured to work with the proxy. This involves setting the appropriate proxy settings, such as the proxy server address, port, and any authentication credentials required.

You can configure these settings using Group Policy or MDM solutions. Refer to the Microsoft documentation on “Using a proxy with Delivery Optimization” for more details.

Troubleshooting Delivery Optimization Issues

Resolving “0x80D02002” Errors

One common issue users may encounter is the “0x80D02002 – Delivery Optimization: Download of a file saw no progress within the defined period” error. This error typically indicates a problem with the Delivery Optimization process, and it can occur when trying to download Windows updates or feature upgrades.

To troubleshoot this issue, consider the following steps:

1. Check network connectivity: Ensure that the devices experiencing the issue have a stable and reliable internet connection. Delivery Optimization relies on the ability to communicate with the cloud-managed services, so any network connectivity problems can contribute to the download failures.

2. Verify proxy settings: If your environment uses a proxy server, double-check that the Delivery Optimization settings are configured correctly to work with the proxy. Incorrect proxy settings can prevent Delivery Optimization from accessing the required resources.

3. Disable conflicting policies: Ensure that there are no conflicting Group Policy or local policy settings that may be interfering with Delivery Optimization. For example, disabling Windows Update or setting the “Turn off access to all Windows Update features” policy can cause issues.

4. Clear the Delivery Optimization cache: Try clearing the local Delivery Optimization cache on the affected devices. This can be done by running the Get-DeliveryOptimizationLog command and then using the Clear-DeliveryOptimizationCache cmdlet.

5. Check for network-related issues: If the issue persists, work with your network team to investigate any potential network-related problems, such as firewall rules, router configurations, or issues with the proxy server.

Addressing High Data Consumption

In some cases, users have reported that Delivery Optimization is consuming excessive amounts of data, especially on metered or capped internet connections.

To address this issue, you can try the following:

1. Disable Delivery Optimization for metered connections: If you have devices using metered or capped internet connections, you can disable Delivery Optimization for those devices by setting the “Allow downloads from other PCs” option to “Off” in the Delivery Optimization settings.

2. Limit Delivery Optimization bandwidth: As mentioned earlier, you can configure the “Absolute bandwidth” setting in Delivery Optimization to limit the maximum download and upload speeds, ensuring that Delivery Optimization doesn’t consume excessive amounts of data.

3. Check for rogue background activities: In some cases, the high data consumption may be caused by other background processes, such as game updates, rather than Delivery Optimization. Carefully monitor the device’s network activity to identify the root cause.

4. Consider alternative update distribution methods: If Delivery Optimization continues to cause issues, you may want to explore alternative update distribution methods, such as using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Microsoft Intune, which provide more control over the update delivery process.

Optimizing Delivery Optimization for Your Environment

To ensure the best possible performance and efficiency of Delivery Optimization in your IT environment, consider the following best practices:

1. Leverage Group Policy or MDM: Use Group Policy or mobile device management (MDM) solutions like Microsoft Intune to centrally configure Delivery Optimization settings across your organization. This will help maintain consistency and ensure that the desired settings are applied to all devices.

2. Pilot and monitor Delivery Optimization: Before deploying Delivery Optimization widely, conduct a pilot test to evaluate its performance and impact on your network. Monitor the network traffic, download speeds, and any potential issues that arise during the pilot phase.

3. Optimize for your network topology: Depending on your network architecture, you may want to fine-tune the Delivery Optimization settings. For example, if you have a well-connected local network, you may want to limit Delivery Optimization to “Devices on my local network” to maximize the benefits of peer-to-peer sharing.

4. Consider a Delivery Optimization cache server: For larger organizations or those with distributed locations, you may want to deploy a dedicated Delivery Optimization cache server. This can help improve download speeds and reduce the strain on your internet bandwidth, as devices can retrieve updates and applications from the local cache instead of the internet.

5. Stay up to date with Delivery Optimization: Microsoft regularly updates the Delivery Optimization feature, so be sure to keep your devices and management tools (e.g., Configuration Manager, Intune) up to date to take advantage of the latest improvements and bug fixes.

By following these guidelines and leveraging the power of Delivery Optimization, you can streamline the distribution of Windows updates and applications, reduce network bandwidth consumption, and provide a seamless user experience for your IT environment.

For more information and resources on Delivery Optimization, be sure to visit the IT Fix website, where you’ll find a wealth of practical tips, in-depth insights, and expert-curated content to help you navigate the world of IT solutions and computer repair.