Table of content
Presentation of Distribution Optimization
Since Windows 10 and available on Windows Server 2019, it is possible to optimize the distribution of Windows updates by using a peer-to-peer (P2P) system between computers on the same network (and even on the Internet) for downloading updates.
This system avoids having to search for updates on the Internet each time; if a computer on the local network has the updates, they are downloaded from that computer, which avoids saturating the bandwidth.
Enable Delivery Optimization from Windows Settings
Go to Windows Update settings and click on Delivery Optimization 1.
By default the setting is not enabled, move the button to enable the setting 1.
Once the setting is enabled, the computer will try to download updates from other computers on the network and otherwise retrieve them from the Internet.
In the advanced options, it is possible to apply limits to avoid overloading the computer.
To work properly, Delivery Optimization must be enabled on multiple computers on the network with the same version of Windows.
Configure Delivery Optimization by Group Policy (GPO)
In an Active Directory environment, it is possible to enable Delivery Optimization through Group Policy.
Create a new GPO and name it.
Edit Group Policy, go to the following location to access the settings: Computer Configuration / Policies / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / Delivery Optimization.
Edit the parameter: Download mode 1.
Enable the parameter 1 and choose the Download mode: Local network (1) 2, then click the Apply 3 and OK 4 buttons.
The group policy is ready, if you want, refine the configuration with the other settings.
Link Group Policy in your domain.
Once the settings are applied, we can see that delivery optimization is enabled.
The settings are grayed out because they are applied by Group Policy (GPO)
Windows Firewall Rule
To work properly, you need to create a rule in the Windows Firewall, when creating it use the predefined settings: Delivery Optimization.
Activity monitor
On each computer, it is possible to check the behavior of the update delivery optimization in the activation monitor.
Conclusion
This little-known feature of Windows Update is useful because it saves bandwidth and avoids a bottleneck when Microsoft releases updates.
This feature also allows you to configure WSUS without storing updates locally and thus save several GB of disk space, as computers continue to contact the WSUS server to find out which updates need to be installed.
Are you planning to activate this feature on your information system?