If your Windows PC is running low on storage space, downloading updates unusually slowly, or showing strange behavior while installing Windows updates, the Delivery Optimization cache could be worth checking. Windows uses Delivery Optimization to download Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, and related content. Some of those downloaded files can remain cached on your computer after they are no longer needed.
You can clear the Delivery Optimization cache in Windows 11 or Windows 10 without manually digging through system folders. Windows provides built-in tools that can safely remove these temporary files.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through several ways to clear the Delivery Optimization cache.
About Delivery Optimization Cache
Delivery Optimization is a Windows feature designed to make downloads more efficient. Instead of downloading certain update files only from Microsoft’s servers, Windows can use cached files and, depending on your settings, other PCs to improve the download process.
That means your computer may temporarily store update-related files. Usually, Windows manages these files automatically. However, the cache can sometimes become larger than expected or contain temporary files that you no longer need.
Clearing the cache can help recover storage space and may also help when you’re troubleshooting certain Windows Update or Delivery Optimization problems.
You don’t normally need to delete Delivery Optimization files manually from hidden system folders.
The safer approach is to use Windows’ built-in storage tools.
Clear Delivery Optimization Cache Windows 11 & 10
To clear the Delivery Optimization cache in Windows 11 or Windows 10, go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, select Delivery Optimization Files, and choose Remove files. In Windows 10, you can also access the same option through Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. If the cache does not clear normally, you can use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility or restart the Delivery Optimization service before trying again.
Let’s learn in detail!
Step 1: Open Windows Storage Settings
The easiest way to clear the Delivery Optimization cache is through Windows Storage settings.
On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage. Windows will take a moment to calculate how your storage is being used. Once the Storage page loads, look for the section that shows temporary and other types of files.
On Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage. You will see your primary storage drive and information about how Windows is using available space.
This page is useful because it lets you manage several categories of unnecessary files without manually searching through system directories.
Step 2: Open Temporary Files
Once you’re inside Storage settings, open the temporary-file management section.
In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files. Windows will scan your system and display different categories of files that can potentially be removed.
In Windows 10, go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files.
Give Windows a little time to finish scanning. Depending on how much data is stored on your PC, the scan may take a few moments.
You should see several categories, such as temporary Windows files, thumbnails, recycle-bin contents, and other removable data. Look specifically for Delivery Optimization Files.
Step 3: Select Delivery Optimization Files
Now you need to tell Windows which cached files you want to remove.
Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files > Delivery Optimization Files.
If Delivery Optimization Files appears in the list, select its checkbox. Windows may display the amount of storage currently occupied by these files.
Before selecting additional categories, take a moment to review what Windows has identified. You don’t need to select everything simply because it is available.
For this task, the important category is Delivery Optimization Files. These are cached files associated with Windows’ Delivery Optimization feature.
Step 4: Remove the Delivery Optimization Cache
After selecting the appropriate category, you can remove the cached files.
Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files > Delivery Optimization Files > Remove files.
Windows will begin deleting the selected temporary data. The process may finish quickly if the cache is small, while larger caches can take longer.
Don’t be concerned if the amount of free space does not immediately look different. Windows may need a short amount of time to recalculate your storage information.
The files removed here are temporary cache data. Clearing them does not uninstall Windows Update or disable Delivery Optimization.
Step 5: Use Disk Cleanup if the Cache Remains
If Delivery Optimization Files does not appear in Storage settings, or you want another built-in method, try Disk Cleanup.
Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open the utility.
If Windows asks you to select a drive, choose the drive where Windows is installed, which is commonly the C: drive. Then select OK.
After Disk Cleanup scans your computer, review the available file categories.
Go to Disk Cleanup > Files to delete > Delivery Optimization Files and select that option if it is available. Then choose OK > Delete Files.
Disk Cleanup is an older Windows utility, but it remains useful for removing various types of temporary system files.
Step 6: Restart the Delivery Optimization Service
If Windows refuses to remove the cache or you are troubleshooting a Delivery Optimization problem, restarting its service can help.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc, then press Enter.
In the Services window, go to Services > Delivery Optimization. Find Delivery Optimization in the list and double-click it.
If the service is currently running, select Stop. Wait several seconds, then select Start again.
You can also check the Startup type setting. In most cases, you should avoid changing service startup settings unless you specifically need to troubleshoot the service.
Restarting the service can release files that Windows may currently have locked, allowing you to try the cache cleanup again.
Step 7: Restart Your Windows PC
After clearing the cache, restarting Windows is a good final troubleshooting step.
Go to Start > Power > Restart.
A restart allows Windows to reload the Delivery Optimization service and other Windows Update components from a clean state.
After Windows starts again, you can return to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files and check whether Delivery Optimization Files is still taking up significant space.
Keep in mind that Windows may create new Delivery Optimization cache files later. That’s normal because the feature is designed to cache certain downloads when needed.
FAQs
Is it safe to delete Delivery Optimization Files?
Yes. Delivery Optimization Files are cached data, so deleting them is generally safe. Windows can download required update files again when they are needed.
Does clearing the cache disable Windows Update?
No. Clearing the Delivery Optimization cache does not disable Windows Update. Windows can continue checking for and downloading updates normally.
Will clearing the Delivery Optimization cache improve Windows performance?
It can help recover storage space, but it is not normally a major performance optimization. If your computer is nearly out of storage, freeing unnecessary temporary data can make the system easier for Windows to manage.
Why can’t I see Delivery Optimization Files?
Windows does not always display every temporary-file category on every system. The category may not appear if there is little or no removable Delivery Optimization data. You can also try Disk Cleanup as an alternative.
Does Windows automatically delete Delivery Optimization cache?
Windows can manage and remove cached Delivery Optimization data automatically. However, temporary files can remain for some time, which is why manually clearing them can sometimes be useful when you’re troubleshooting storage or update-related issues.
Should I disable Delivery Optimization after clearing its cache?
Not necessarily. Clearing the cache and disabling Delivery Optimization are two different things. If Delivery Optimization is working normally, there is usually no reason to disable it simply because you cleared its cached files.
Summary
Clearing the Delivery Optimization cache in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is a straightforward way to remove cached update-related files and potentially recover some storage space. The easiest method is to go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, select Delivery Optimization Files, and choose Remove files.
If that option is unavailable or doesn’t work as expected, Disk Cleanup provides another built-in method.
For stubborn issues, restarting the Delivery Optimization service and then restarting your PC can also help.
The important thing to remember is that clearing the cache does not remove Windows Update itself or permanently prevent Windows from using Delivery Optimization.
Windows can simply recreate the necessary cache files when future downloads require them.