Where Does Delivery Optimization Store Its Cache?
Delivery Optimization caches update payloads under the NetworkService profile, shareable with PCs on your network.
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Delivery Optimization keeps a local cache of downloaded update content so nearby PCs can fetch from each other instead of Microsoft. The default sits at %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization\Cache. Content expires after about three days and the cache caps near twenty percent of disk.
The active path can differ. Group policy moves it, and some systems use a ProgramData variant instead. Run Get-DeliveryOptimizationStatus in PowerShell and read LocalCachePath rather than assuming the default. Deleting the cache is safe. It just re-downloads.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\DeliveryOptimization\Cache
Needs admin-adjacent rights to browse since it sits under a service profile. Verify with Get-DeliveryOptimizationStatus first; policy may have moved it. Safe to clear through Disk Cleanup or Settings.
Frequently asked questions
How do I confirm which cache folder is actually in use?
Open PowerShell and run Get-DeliveryOptimizationStatus, then read the LocalCachePath value. That path reflects policy overrides, while the documented default does not.
Can I move the Delivery Optimization cache off C:?
Yes, with the Modify Cache Drive policy (Group Policy or MDM) pointing at another drive or folder. Restart the DoSvc service after changing it. Manual moves without the policy get recreated on C:.
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