Is your Windows 10 computer suddenly low on disk space? You might have discovered mysterious “Delivery Optimization files” taking up gigabytes of storage. These files can grow from just a few gigabytes to over 100GB, leaving you wondering what they are and whether it’s safe to delete them.
The good news? Delivery Optimization files are completely safe to remove, and doing so can free up massive amounts of valuable disk space. In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly what these files are, why Windows creates them, and how to safely delete them without harming your system.
What Are Delivery Optimization Files and Why Does Windows 10 Create Them?
Delivery Optimization files are temporary cache files that Windows 10 creates when downloading updates, apps from the Microsoft Store, and other Microsoft products. Think of them like a shared library for your computer and other devices on your network. Instead of every computer downloading the same update directly from Microsoft, Delivery Optimization lets computers share these files with each other.
This peer-to-peer system works like this: When your computer needs a Windows update, it can download parts from Microsoft’s servers AND from other computers that already have the update. This makes downloads faster and reduces the load on Microsoft’s servers. The Delivery Optimization files are the pieces of updates that your computer stores to share with others.
Windows 10 creates these files automatically in the background. You’ll usually find them in a hidden folder called “DeliveryOptimization” on your C: drive. The system is designed to be helpful, but sometimes these files don’t get cleaned up properly, leading to massive storage consumption.
Is It Safe to Delete Delivery Optimization Files? The Complete Answer
Yes, it’s completely safe to delete Delivery Optimization files. These are just temporary cache files, not important system files. Microsoft confirms that delivery optimization files boleh dihapus (can be deleted) without any negative effects on your computer’s performance.
When you delete delivery optimization windows 10 files, you’re simply removing cached update data. Windows will recreate these files as needed when new updates become available. The only temporary effect is that your computer might take slightly longer to download the next update, as it won’t have the cached files to work with.
Deleting windows delivery optimization files is actually recommended when:
- You’re running low on disk space
- These files are taking up more than 10GB of space
- You don’t need to share updates with other computers on your network
- You want to clean up temporary system files
Many users report that after deleting windows delivery optimization files, their computers run normally and Windows continues to update without any problems.
How to Clear Delivery Optimization Files Using Disk Cleanup (Step-by-Step)?
The easiest and safest way to windows 10 clear delivery optimization files is using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Here’s exactly how to do it:
Method 1: Using Disk Cleanup (Recommended)
- Click the Start button and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search box
- Select “Disk Cleanup” from the list of results
- Choose your C: drive (usually where Windows is installed) and click OK
- Wait for Disk Cleanup to calculate how much space you can free up
- In the “Files to delete” list, check the box next to “Delivery Optimization Files”
- Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to confirm
This method is perfect because it’s built into Windows and specifically designed for delivery optimization files disk cleanup. The tool will only remove safe-to-delete files, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally deleting something important.
Method 2: Using Storage Settings (Windows 10/11)
- Press Windows + I to open Settings
- Click on “System” then “Storage”
- Under “Storage sense,” click “Free up space now”
- Wait for Windows to scan for temporary files
- Check the box for “Delivery Optimization files”
- Click “Remove files” to delete them
Both methods work equally well for delivery optimization files windows 10 removal. Choose whichever one feels more comfortable to you.
Alternative Methods to Remove Delivery Optimization Files
Sometimes the standard Disk Cleanup doesn’t catch all delivery optimization files windows 10, or you might want more control over the process. Here are some alternative methods:
Method 3: Manual Folder Cleanup
For those who want to remove delivery optimization windows 10 files manually:
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DeliveryOptimization
- Select all files and folders in this location
- Press Shift+Delete to permanently remove them (skip the Recycle Bin)
Warning: Only delete files in this specific folder. Deleting files in other Windows folders can damage your system.
Method 4: Using Command Prompt
- Click Start and type “cmd”
- Right-click Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”
- Type the following command and press Enter:
- Line Wrapping
- Collapse
- Copy
- cleanmgr /sageset:100
- Check “Delivery Optimization Files” and click OK
- Then run:
- Line Wrapping
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- Copy
- cleanmgr /sagerun:100
This creates a custom cleanup preset that you can run anytime to clear delivery optimization files quickly.
Should You Disable Delivery Optimization Entirely? Pros and Cons
While you can safely delete delivery optimization windows 10 files, you might wonder if you should disable the feature entirely to prevent these files from accumulating again.
Pros of Disabling Delivery Optimization:
- Saves disk space in the long term
- Reduces background network activity
- Prevents large cache files from building up
- Gives you more control over your updates
Cons of Disabling Delivery Optimization:
- Windows updates may download slower
- Uses more of Microsoft’s server bandwidth
- Can’t help other computers on your network get updates faster
- Might miss out on faster update delivery during peak times
How to Disable Delivery Optimization:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings
- Click “Update & Security” then “Windows Update”
- Click “Advanced options”
- Under “Delivery Optimization,” click “Delivery Optimization settings”
- Toggle “Allow downloads from other PCs” to Off
If you decide to keep Delivery Optimization enabled, make it a habit to how to clear delivery optimization files every few months to prevent them from taking up too much space.
Quick Answer: Delivery Optimization Files Explained
| Question | Answer |
| What are they? | Temporary cache files for Windows updates and app downloads |
| Safe to delete? | Yes, completely safe |
| How much space? | Can range from 1GB to 100GB+ |
| Where are they stored? | C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DeliveryOptimization |
| Best removal method? | Windows Disk Cleanup tool |
| Will deleting harm my PC? | No, Windows will recreate needed files automatically |
Common Mistakes When Managing Delivery Optimization Files
When dealing with delivery optimization files windows 10, avoid these common mistakes:
- Deleting wrong files: Never delete files from other Windows folders, only the specific Delivery Optimization folder
- Using third-party “cleaner” tools: Many of these tools are unnecessary and can cause more problems than they solve
- Disabling Windows Update: Don’t disable Windows Update just to prevent these files – you’ll miss important security patches
- Ignoring disk space warnings: If Delivery Optimization files are taking up more than 20GB of space, it’s time to clean them up
- Forgetting to check regularly: Make it a habit to check your disk space monthly
Pro Tips for Managing Windows Cache Files
Here are some expert tips for managing delivery optimization files windows 10 and other temporary files:
- Schedule regular cleanups: Set a reminder to check your disk space every month
- Use Storage Sense: Enable Storage Sense in Windows 10/11 to automatically clean up temporary files
- Keep 15-20% free space: Always maintain at least 15-20% of your drive as free space for optimal performance
- Monitor after major updates: Check your Delivery Optimization files after large Windows updates
- Consider external storage: If you frequently run out of space, move large files to an external drive
If you’re experiencing other performance issues, check out our guide on how to boost computer speed for more optimization tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are My Delivery Optimization Files Taking Up So Much Space?
Delivery Optimization files can grow surprisingly large for several reasons. Windows stores these files to help share updates with other computers, but sometimes the cleanup process doesn’t work properly. Large updates, like the semi-annual Windows 10 feature updates, can create 10-50GB of cache files. If you have multiple computers on your network, Windows might store even more files to share with them. The system is designed to eventually clean up these files, but this doesn’t always happen automatically, leading to massive storage consumption over time.
Will Deleting Delivery Optimization Files Slow Down My Windows Updates?
Deleting Delivery Optimization files won’t break your Windows updates, but it might make the next update download slightly slower. Without cached files, your computer will need to download everything fresh from Microsoft’s servers. However, this difference is usually minimal for most users with decent internet connections. After the update completes, Windows will create new cache files, and future updates should return to normal speed. The trade-off of freeing up gigabytes of space is usually worth the small, temporary slowdown.
How Often Should I Clear Delivery Optimization Files?
For most users, checking Delivery Optimization files every 2-3 months is sufficient. However, if you frequently install large apps or games from the Microsoft Store, or if you notice your disk space decreasing rapidly, you should check more often. Some power users prefer to clean these files monthly as part of regular computer maintenance. The key is to monitor your available disk space and clean up when these files exceed 10GB or when you have less than 15% free space remaining on your system drive.
Can I Disable Delivery Optimization to Prevent These Files From Accumulating?
Yes, you can disable Delivery Optimization entirely, but consider the trade-offs. When disabled, your computer will always download updates directly from Microsoft servers rather than sharing with other computers. This prevents cache files from accumulating but might result in slower downloads, especially during peak update times when Microsoft servers are busy. To disable it, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization settings and toggle off “Allow downloads from other PCs.” However, most experts recommend keeping it enabled and just cleaning the files regularly instead.
Where Exactly Are Delivery Optimization Files Stored on My Computer?
Delivery Optimization files are stored in a hidden system folder at C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DeliveryOptimization. You won’t see this folder in File Explorer by default because it’s a protected system location. To view it, you need to enable “Show hidden files” in File Explorer options and also disable “Hide protected operating system files.” However, it’s much safer to use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool rather than manually navigating to and deleting files in this folder.
Do Delivery Optimization Files Contain Any Personal Information?
No, Delivery Optimization files do not contain personal information. These files are only parts of Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, and other Microsoft product downloads. They’re essentially pieces of installation files that have been split up for efficient downloading. The system only shares generic update components, never your personal documents, photos, or other private data. Microsoft has designed Delivery Optimization with privacy in mind, ensuring that only anonymous update fragments are shared between computers.
Why Did Windows Create 55GB of Delivery Optimization Files After an Update?
It’s not uncommon to see massive Delivery Optimization files after major Windows updates. Large feature updates can easily create 30-60GB of cache files because Windows downloads the complete update package and stores it to share with other computers. Sometimes, if the update process gets interrupted or if you have multiple computers on your network, Windows might store multiple copies or incomplete versions of these files. Additionally, the automatic cleanup process might fail to run properly, leaving these large files on your system. This is why it’s important to check and clean these files after major updates.
Conclusion
Delivery Optimization files are a normal part of Windows 10, but they can sometimes grow out of control and consume massive amounts of disk space. Now you know exactly what these files are, why they exist, and how to safely remove them. Remember that delivery optimization files boleh dihapus safely whenever you need to free up space.
Whether you choose to delete delivery optimization windows 10 files using Disk Cleanup or prefer manual methods, you can rest easy knowing you’re not harming your system. Regular maintenance of these files, along with other optimization techniques like managing your virtual memory, will keep your Windows 10 computer running smoothly.
If you encounter other file-related issues, such as the system cannot find the file specified error, we have detailed guides to help you fix those problems too. For more Windows optimization tips, check out our article on Microsoft Update Health Tools and learn how to adjust RAM usage Windows for better performance.
