Windows Update Delivery Optimization Registry Path

This guide details the exact Windows Registry locations used to control and configure Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO). It covers the primary policy and configuration paths within the Registry Editor (Regedit), explains key DWORD values such as download modes, and outlines how administrators can manage peer-to-peer update distribution directly via the registry.

Primary Policy Registry Path

When Delivery Optimization settings are configured through Group Policy, MDM (like Microsoft Intune), or manual administrative override, they are stored in the following registry path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization

If this key does not exist, creating it allows you to enforce system-wide Delivery Optimization policies.

Local System Configuration Path

The standard local configuration and runtime cache settings for Delivery Optimization are managed under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeliveryOptimization\Config

Additional user-specific or system state values can also be found at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DeliveryOptimization\Settings

Key Registry Values

The most common setting adjusted in the Delivery Optimization registry path is the download mode, represented by the DODownloadMode DWORD (32-bit) value.

Located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization:

• Value Name: DODownloadMode
• Value Type: REG_DWORD
• Data Values:
  • 0 – HTTP Only: Disables peer-to-peer caching; updates download directly from Microsoft servers or WSUS.
  • 1 – LAN (Peers on the same network): Downloads updates from Microsoft and peers on the local subnet.
  • 2 – Group: Downloads only from peers within the same Active Directory site or domain.
  • 3 – Internet: Downloads from peers across the internet as well as local peers.
  • 99 – Simple Mode: Disables Delivery Optimization cloud services entirely (uses HTTP only without DO metadata).
  • 100 – Bypass Mode: Uses BITS instead of Delivery Optimization entirely.

Additional Common Settings

Other important DWORD values managed under the policy path include:

• DOMaxBackgroundBandwidth – Restricts the maximum background download bandwidth in kilobytes per second (KB/s).
• DOMaxForegroundBandwidth – Restricts the maximum foreground download bandwidth in KB/s.
• DOMaxCacheSize – Sets the maximum cache size that Delivery Optimization can use as a percentage (1–100).
• DOMonthlyUploadDataCapInGB – Limits the total amount of data (in GB) that a device is allowed to upload to internet peers each month.

Applying Changes

After creating or modifying values in these registry keys, restart the Delivery Optimization service (DoSvc) via services.msc or run net stop dosvc && net start dosvc in an elevated Command Prompt to apply the changes immediately.