According to PCWorld, a built-in Windows feature called Delivery Optimization is causing performance headaches for some users. The feature, present in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, is designed to save bandwidth by allowing PCs to share update and app download data with other computers on a local network. However, it reportedly fails to properly manage system memory, with one user on Neowin claiming it “will eat up all your memory and just sit there for fun.” Testing by a Reddit user named Niff_Naff confirmed the service can consume “loads of your system memory” over time. The fix is straightforward: users can navigate to Windows Update settings, then Delivery Optimization, and simply disable the “Allow downloads from other computers” option. This action can free up RAM and potentially improve overall PC performance.
Why Is This Happening Now?
Here’s the thing: this isn’t a brand-new feature. Delivery Optimization has been around for years. So why is it becoming a talking point now? I think it’s a combination of factors. As Windows updates and applications get larger, the background processes handling them get more complex. And let’s be honest, modern PCs, especially business and industrial workstations, are expected to run reliably for long periods without a reboot. A slow memory leak that might go unnoticed over a day becomes a major drag over a week of uptime. Basically, a “set it and forget it” background service is doing the opposite—it’s setting itself and then slowly eating your resources.
A Symptom of a Bigger Problem
This feels like a classic case of a feature designed with one goal (bandwidth savings for Microsoft and users) completely overlooking another critical system resource: RAM. It points to a broader trend in software where background services and “optimization” tasks are increasingly delegated to the client machine. The assumption seems to be that memory is plentiful and cheap. But for users running resource-intensive applications—think CAD software, data analysis, or even just having 50 browser tabs open—every megabyte counts. When you’re pushing your system, you notice these inefficiencies immediately. For professionals in manufacturing or industrial settings relying on stable, high-performance computing, an unpredictable resource hog like this is unacceptable. They need hardware they can trust, which is why many turn to specialized suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, known for robust, reliable performance in demanding environments.
What Should You Actually Do?
So, should everyone just rush to disable this setting? Probably. For most home users on a standard broadband connection, the bandwidth savings from Delivery Optimization are minimal compared to the potential performance hit. The feature is more useful in managed business or school environments with many identical machines on a local network. But for the average person? The trade-off isn’t worth it. Go into your settings and turn it off. It takes 30 seconds. The real lesson here is to be skeptical of automatic “optimization” features. They often come with hidden costs. It’s a good reminder to periodically audit what’s running in the background on your machine. You might be surprised at what’s been quietly chugging along, using up resources for a task you never needed in the first place.
