Guide: How to Manage Data Usage on Windows 10 PC
A Windows 10 PC connected to the internet will help you get the best out of your computer. However, this comes at a cost, as Windows 10 is of course one of the most demanding operating systems. If you’re using a limited or limited data plan to access the Internet on your PC, you would definitely want to monitor and reduce how much data the Windows 10 operating system consumes. That’s why we’ve listed seven (7) different ways to get that done in this post. Even if you don’t have a limited internet plan, these methods are useful. It’s also time you found that your Windows 10 PC is consuming way too much data than usual. So, in order to use your internet plan judiciously, you should also reduce the data usage of your Windows 10 computer using the tips listed below.
1. Make connection metered
One of the easiest ways to make your Windows 10 computer use less data than usual is to measure your internet connection. On a metered network, your Windows computer will suspend some data-consuming activities such as automatic download of Windows updates, automatic app updates, automatic updates of Start menu tiles, and a few other functions that consume data in the background. Here is how to easily make your internet connection metered on any Windows 10 computer. Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu. Step 2: Select the option ‘Network and Internet’.
Step 3: In the Status section, Windows will show you the network your PC is currently connected to (it can be Wi-Fi or Ethernet). To change the network status to metered, tap the ‘Change network properties’ option.
Step 4: Scroll to the Metered connection section and whether the ‘Set as metered connection’ option is turned off. Turn it on.
And that’s it. Your connection has now been measured.
2. Set the data limit
For users with limited bandwidth internet plans, setting how much data you want to use on your PC is a brilliant way to reduce data usage. Suppose the data bandwidth of your internet plan is limited to 20 GB and you don’t want your PC to use more than 2 GB per week. So you can set a weekly data limit of 2 GB on your computer. That way, you have full control over your PC’s data usage. Before setting a data limit, having your PC’s connection on metered (check method # 1 above) can help further reduce data usage. Now let’s see how to set a data limit on your Windows 10 computer. Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu. Step 2: Select the option ‘Network and Internet’.
Step 3: In the left section, tap Data usage.
Step 4: In the Data limit section, tap Set limit button
Note: Make sure the active internet connection (for which you want to reduce data usage) is selected in the ‘Show settings for’ section. Step 5: Choose the type of data limit you want to set. On Windows 10, you can only set monthly, one-time, or unlimited data limits.
For each data limit, select the limit type, reset date and data limit unit (MB or GB).
Step 6: When you have finished configuring the data limit to your preference, tap Save.
When you have reached the set data limit, your computer will notify you. You can adjust the data limit or remove it completely. Navigate to Settings> Network & Internet> Data Usage to edit or delete a data limit.
3. Limit background data
By default, the Windows 10 operating system is designed to use your internet data to install and update certain Windows Store apps. If left unrestricted, these background app updates can consume a large chunk of your (limited) internet subscription. Follow the steps below to restrict background data usage on your Windows 10 computer. Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu. Step 2: Select ‘Network and Internet’.
Step 3: In the left section, tap Data usage.
Step 4: Scroll to the Background data section and select Never to restrict the use of background data by the Windows Store.
However, if you have set an active data limit on your computer, you can limit the use of background data when you reach 10% of your data limit.
4. Turn off Background apps
Windows 10 OS allows an app to run in the background even when the apps are closed and you are not using them. Some of these apps (with permission to run in the background) not only quietly consume your internet bandwidth, they also drain your PC’s battery faster than normal. If you want to keep the data usage of your Windows PC to a minimum, you can disable apps in the background or reduce the number of apps running in the background, among other things. Here is how to go for it. Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu. Step 2: Select Privacy.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the left panel and select Background apps.
Step 4: Tap the option ‘Let apps run in the background’ to turn it off and turn off apps in the background.
You can also turn off certain apps from running in the background. This way, the operation of relevant apps is not disrupted. Step 5: Scroll to Choose which apps can run in the background and turn off apps you don’t want to run in the background.
5. Disable synchronization of settings
When you sign in with your Microsoft account on your PC, the Windows 10 operating system synchronizes the PC’s settings (and other configurations) with other computers where you have the Microsoft account signed in. While this is a handy feature, it consumes your data and you probably don’t need to have it on all the time. To save data, you should turn this setting off and only enable it if you need to sync your settings with other devices. Here is how to do it. Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu. Step 2: Select Accounts.
Step 3: Tap the ‘Sync your settings’ option.
Step 4: Uncheck the Sync Settings option.
6. Disable Microsoft Store Auto-Update
On any Windows 10 PC, the default Windows app or apps that you manually install from the Microsoft Store are set to update automatically when a new version is available. While automatic app updates have its benefits, it’s bad for your limited data / internet plan. While measuring your internet connection will temporarily stop these automatic app updates, you can (and should) turn off automatic updating directly from the Microsoft Store. Here is how to do it. Step 1: Start the Microsoft Store from your PC. Step 2: From the home page, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
Step 3: Then select Settings.
Step 4: Disable the option ‘Automatically update apps’.
7. Pause Windows Updates
Windows updates are important; they fix bugs and generally help make your PC perform better. However, these updates are huge (in size) and can be a data hog, especially if you have a limited data / internet plan. A good way to reduce your PC’s data usage with Windows updates is to pause the update until a later date, preferably when you have access to an unplugged wireless or Ethernet network. Follow the steps below to see how. Step 1: Launch your PC’s Windows Settings menu. Step 2: Select the option ‘Updates and security’.
Step 3: On the Windows Update page, select ‘Advanced options’ in the right pane.
Step 4: In the Pause Update section, tap Pause until the drop-down list button to select a date to postpone the automatic download and installation of Windows updates until.
Note: The maximum duration for which you can pause Windows updates on your computer is 35 days. After this period, your computer will resume automatically downloading Windows updates until you pause them again.
Be the boss
Unexpectedly running out of your internet data plan before the expiration period expires can get tedious. It will also end up what will cost you more to activate those flexi-packs and what not. To avoid that, make sure that your computer uses your internet only for the important things. Take control and reduce the data usage of your Windows 10 PC by allowing only the minimal activities access for the necessary updates. The next up: Streaming videos on YouTube can eat quickly up your limited internet subscription. Check out some useful ones tips to reduce YouTube’s data usage mobile and PC.
How to Manage Data Usage on Windows 10 PC: benefits
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