How To Turn Off Windows 10 Update Sharing

Windows 10 has a new built-in characteristic that shares Windows updates and apps to other other PCs on the Internet. Here's how to proceed it local or turn it off.

Windows 10 has a built-in characteristic called "Windows Update Delivery Optimization" (WUDO). Information technology's a peer-to-peer sharing model that lets you get Windows updates and Microsoft Store apps from other computers over local networks. It tin can too send chunks of downloaded security patches and updates to other Windows 10 PCs on the Internet.

This is intended to help minimize the amount of bandwidth that'due south consumed for updates and save fourth dimension. For example, instead of each PC downloading updates individually from Microsoft, it gets pieces of the updates from other PCs that accept already downloaded them.

Here is how Microsoft explains the feature:

Windows Update Delivery Optimization works by letting you become Windows updates and Microsoft Store apps from sources in add-on to Microsoft, similar other PCs on your local network, or PCs on the Cyberspace that are downloading the same files. Delivery Optimization also sends updates and apps from your PC to other PCs on your local network or PCs on the Net, based on your settings.

Now, while this makes sense on a local network, you might not like the idea of using your bandwidth to assistance random PCs on the Internet.

The WUDO feature, by default, is set to ship parts of your previously downloaded updates and apps. Information technology's not enabled by default to share to PCs on the Net. Information technology is enabled for local network PCs, though. And there are a few options you should exist aware of.

Turn Off Windows Update Delivery Optimization on Windows x

Open up Windows Update by going to Settings > Update & Security and from there select Delivery Optimization from the lefthand column.

Here is where you lot tin can make some changes in how the updating process works. You can completely turn the characteristic off by toggling off the push under "Allow downloads from other PCs."

Hither you lot tin can turn WUDO off completely. Have it only send updates to other PCs on your local (home) network. Or cull to share your bandwidth and allows downloads on your local network and PCs on the Net.

If y'all have multiple Windows 10 devices on your home network, keeping the characteristic on and set to "PCs on my local network" will save time (and potentially bandwidth) getting updates rolled out. Instead of each PC downloading updates from Microsoft servers, the updates are shared amongst each of your PCs. If this is your only PC, or you lot have any hesitations or doubts about WUDO, just turn it off.

A Few More Things

I don't see this equally a security or privacy issue. Personally, I keep it on since I have a lot of unlike Windows 10 devices. And want updates to go equally quickly as possible to all of my systems.

Initially, the problem with this is your PC was opted into sharing with other PCs on the Internet automatically. And the setting to opt-out was buried. But the company has since changed it. At present information technology is enabled past default, only to only share with other PCs on your local network.

Microsoft says the sharing is secure, and other PCs can't admission your local files. Think of it as BitTorrent for Windows ten updates. The bits downloaded to your organisation are secure, also.

Microsoft says on its WUDO FAQ page: "Delivery Optimization downloads the same updates and apps that you lot would get through Windows Update and Microsoft Store, using the aforementioned security measures. To make certain you're getting authentic updates, Delivery Optimization gets information securely from Microsoft to check the actuality of each role of an update or app that it downloads from other PCs. The actuality of the downloads is checked again before installing it."

And information technology continues to state: "Delivery Optimization doesn't access your personal files or folders or alter any files on your PC."

But if yous don't want to share your Windows updates with other PCs just turn it off. And if y'all don't desire to share with other PCs online don't select that option. Just keep it prepare to share with PCs on your network. If you lot have any doubts most the sharing at all, just plough information technology off.