In the ever-evolving landscape of Windows operating systems, the release of Windows 11 has brought both excitement and some technical challenges for IT professionals. One such issue that has emerged is the troubling behavior of the Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) feature, which can cause frustrating delays and failures when attempting to download updates and feature upgrades.
Understanding Windows Update Delivery Optimization
The Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) is a peer-to-peer technology introduced in Windows 10 that aims to reduce bandwidth usage and improve update download speeds. It works by allowing devices to obtain update files from other devices on the same network or even from the internet, rather than solely downloading from Microsoft’s servers.
However, this feature has not always lived up to its promise, and IT administrators have reported a variety of issues related to WUDO, particularly with the release of Windows 11.
Common WUDO Malfunctions in Windows 11
One of the most frequently reported problems with WUDO in Windows 11 is the inability to download updates and feature upgrades, often resulting in stuck or stalled downloads. Users may encounter error messages such as “0x80D02002 – Delivery Optimization: Download of a file saw no progress within the defined period” or see their devices fail to download content from both remote and local sources.
“I’m facing an issue, where some of the clients in the environment get ‘0x80D02002 – Delivery Optimization: Download of a file saw no progress within the defined period’ while trying to download a Feature Update to Windows 11 22H2. I have a mix of Windows 10 21H2 and Windows 11 22H2 (these are either upgraded or installed fresh with Win 11 22H2). In the past I could see also some Windows 11 22H2 clients failing to download the monthly update and they had the same error message in the console/ WUAhandler.log.”
Another common problem is the inability to download specific updates, such as cumulative updates or the malicious software removal tool, due to WUDO-related issues. These failures can occur even after applying the latest System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) hotfixes and updates.
“All Windows 11 22H2 clients stuck at downloading 0% with not just cumulative update but also with malicious software removal tool and edge 113 update which are in the same software update group.”
These WUDO malfunctions can significantly impact the user experience, as well as the efficiency of IT management and deployment processes within organizations.
Troubleshooting WUDO Issues in Windows 11
To address the various WUDO-related problems in Windows 11, IT professionals should consider the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Review SCCM Client Settings
Ensure that the SCCM client settings are configured correctly, especially the settings related to Delivery Optimization. Verify that the following settings are appropriately configured:
- Allow clients to download delta content when the option is available: Set this to “No” to avoid any potential issues with delta content.
- Port that clients use to receive requests for delta content: Ensure this is set to the correct port (e.g., 8005).
- If Delta content is unavailable from distribution points in the current boundary group, immediately fall back to neighbor or the site default: Set this to “No” to prevent immediate fallback to alternative sources.
2. Disable Conflicting Group Policies
Check for any conflicting Group Policies that may be interfering with the proper functioning of WUDO. Ensure that the following Group Policy settings are configured correctly:
- System/Internet Communication Management/Internet Communication settings/Turn off access to all Windows Update features: Ensure this is disabled.
- Windows Components/Windows Update/Manage end user experience/Configure Automatic Updates: Ensure this is disabled.
- Windows Components/Delivery Optimization/Download Mode: Ensure this is set to “HTTP only (0)”.
Additionally, verify that there are no conflicting Preferences settings, such as the “SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU\DisableOSUpgrade” setting being set to “1”.
3. Ensure Necessary Registry Keys are Present
Certain registry keys are required for WUDO to function correctly. Verify that the following registry keys are present and configured correctly:
- UpdateServiceUrlAlternate
- UseUpdateClassPolicySource
- WUStatusServer
- DoNotEnforceEnterpriseTLSCertPinningForUpdateDetection
- FillEmptyContentUrls
- SetPolicyDrivenUpdateSourceForDriverUpdates
- SetPolicyDrivenUpdateSourceForFeatureUpdates
- SetPolicyDrivenUpdateSourceForOtherUpdates
- SetPolicyDrivenUpdateSourceForQualityUpdates
- SetProxyBehaviorForUpdateDetection
- UseWUServer
- WUServer
- DisableDualScan
If any of these keys are missing or incorrectly configured, they should be addressed, either manually or through a compliance baseline.
4. Verify Network Configuration and Firewall Settings
Ensure that the necessary URLs and ports for WUDO are whitelisted in your organization’s network configuration and firewall settings. Check the documentation provided by Microsoft for the required WUDO URLs and ensure they are accessible from the affected devices.
Additionally, verify that the devices can successfully communicate with the SCCM server and the Windows Update servers over HTTPS, as some environments may be configured for HTTPS-only communication.
5. Analyze Delivery Optimization Logs
Use the Get-DeliveryOptimizationLog PowerShell cmdlet to gather detailed logs from the affected devices. These logs can provide valuable insights into the WUDO download process, including any errors or bottlenecks that may be contributing to the issue.
Carefully review the logs for any relevant error messages, such as “404” responses or “No progress” indications, which may point to the root cause of the problem.
6. Consider Disabling Delivery Optimization
If all the above troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the WUDO issues, you may need to consider temporarily disabling the Delivery Optimization feature on the affected devices. This can be done by modifying the appropriate Group Policy or registry settings.
While disabling WUDO may resolve the immediate update and feature upgrade issues, it is important to note that this could result in increased bandwidth usage and slower download speeds for the affected devices, as they will no longer benefit from the peer-to-peer distribution capabilities of the feature.
Staying Informed and Adapting to Evolving Challenges
As with any new technology or operating system release, IT professionals must remain vigilant and adaptable when dealing with emerging issues. By closely monitoring community forums, vendor support channels, and industry resources, you can stay informed about the latest developments and best practices for addressing WUDO-related problems in Windows 11.
Regularly checking the IT Fix blog for updates and insights from seasoned IT experts can also help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of Windows operating system troubleshooting and optimization.
Remember, the key to effectively resolving WUDO malfunctions in Windows 11 is a combination of thorough troubleshooting, attention to detail, and a willingness to adapt your approach as new solutions or workarounds emerge. With the right strategies and a proactive mindset, you can help ensure a seamless Windows 11 update and deployment experience for your organization.
