How to clear the delivery optimization Cache in Windows?

How to Clear the Delivery Optimization Cache in Windows?

What is Delivery Optimization?

Delivery Optimization (DO) is a feature in Windows that was introduced in Windows 10 and is designed to improve the delivery of Windows updates and other files by reducing the amount of data that needs to be downloaded from the internet. DO achieves this by caching files locally on the device and then using that cached data to complete the download, rather than downloading the entire file from the internet.

Why Clear the Cache?

While DO can be beneficial for improving internet download speed, it’s not without its drawbacks. Sometimes, the cache can become bloated or corrupted, leading to issues with update installations, file downloads, and even system crashes. Clearing the cache can help resolve these problems and improve the overall performance of your Windows device.

How to Clear the Delivery Optimization Cache in Windows?

Clearing the DO cache is a relatively simple process that can be achieved through the Windows Settings app or the built-in Windows PowerShell. Here are the steps to clear the cache:

Method 1: Clear DO Cache using Windows Settings App

1. Open the Settings App: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on the Update & Security option: In the Settings app, click on the "Update & Security" option.
3. Click on the Delivery Optimization option: In the "Windows Update" window, click on the "Delivery Optimization" option.
4. Click on the "Clear local cache" button: In the "Delivery Optimization" window, click on the "Clear local cache" button.

Method 2: Clear DO Cache using PowerShell

1. Open the PowerShell: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "powershell" and press Enter.
2. Run the following command: In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | where-object {$_.NonRemovable -eq $false} | ForEach-Object {Remove-AppPackage -AllowPendingOperationsaN}

3. Confirm the deletion: The above command will prompt you to confirm the deletion of the DO cache. Click "Y" to proceed.

Additional Tips for Clearing the Cache

• Run the command as an administrator: To ensure that you have the necessary permissions to clear the cache, run the PowerShell command as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the PowerShell icon and select "Run as administrator".
• Clear the cache for all users: The above commands will clear the DO cache for all users on the device. If you want to clear the cache for a specific user, you can modify the command to include the user’s name. For example:

  Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -User <username> | where-object {$_.NonRemovable -eq $false} | ForEach-Object {Remove-AppPackage -AllowPendingOperations $true}

• Disable Delivery Optimization: If you don’t need DO, you can disable it to prevent it from caching files in the first place. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Delivery Optimization and toggle the switch under "Save data to be used for delivery optimization" to the "Off" position.

Conclusion

Clearing the Delivery Optimization cache can help resolve issues with update installations, file downloads, and system crashes caused by a bloated or corrupted cache. By following the steps outlined above, you can clear the cache using the Windows Settings app or the built-in Windows PowerShell. Remember to run the command as an administrator and confirm the deletion to ensure successful clearing of the cache. Additionally, consider disabling DO if you don’t need it to prevent future issues.