7 Ways to Reduce How Much Data Your Windows 10 PC Uses

Quick Tips

• Set metered connection; Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change network properties > Toggle on Set as metered connection.
• Disable Auto-Updates; access Settings > Turn off Update apps automatically in the Microsoft Store.
• Pause Windows Updates; Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Pause updates.

1. Make the Connection Metered

On a metered network, your Windows computer will suspend some data-consuming activities like the 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.

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select the Network & Internet option.

Windows will show you the network your PC is currently connected to (could be Wi-Fi or Ethernet).

Step 3: To change the network status to metered, tap the Change network properties option.

Step 4: Scroll to the Metered connection section, and toggle on Set as metered connection option.

And that’s it. Your connection is now metered.

2. Set Data Limit

For users on an internet plan with limited bandwidth, setting how much data you want to use on your PC is a brilliant way to reduce data usage.

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select the Network & Internet option.

Step 3: On the left-hand section, tap Data usage.

Step 4: In the Data limit section, tap the Set limit button.

Note: Ensure the active internet connection (that you want to reduce data usage on) is selected in the ‘Show settings for’ section.

Step 5: Choose the data limit type you want to set.

Step 6: When you’re done configuring the data limit to your preference, tap Save.

When you’ve hit the set data limit, your computer notifies you about it.

3. Restrict Background Data

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select the Network & Internet.

Step 3: On the left-hand section, tap Data usage.

Step 4: Scroll to the Background data section and select Never.

This setting should reduce how much data your Windows 10 PC uses. If you want to reduce down further, continue reading.

4. Turn off Background Apps

Windows 10 lets some apps run in the background, even when the apps are closed. These apps silently consume your internet bandwidth, they also run your PC’s battery down faster than usual.

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select Privacy.

Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the left-hand section and select Background apps.

Step 4: Tap the Let apps run in the backgroun option to toggle it off and disable background apps.

5. Disable Settings Synchronization

Windows 10 syncs the PC’s settings (and other configurations) to other computers you have the Microsoft account signed into. While this is a nifty feature, it consumes your data, and you most likely don’t need to have it on at all times

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select Accounts.

Step 3: Tap the Sync your settings option.

Step 4: Toggle off the Sync settings option.

6. Turn off Microsoft Store Auto-Update

The default Windows apps or apps you installed from the Microsoft Store are set to get updated automatically. Here’s how to disable auto-update within the Microsoft Store.

Step 1: Launch your Microsoft Store.

Step 2: On the homepage, tap the three-dotted menu icon at the top-right corner.

Step 3: Next, select Settings.

Step 4: Toggle off the Update apps automatically option.

7. Pause Windows Updates

Windows updates are important; they fix bugs and generally help your PC perform better. However, these updates are huge (size-wise) and could be a data hog, particularly if you are on a limited data/internet plan.

Step 1: Launch your Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select the Updates & Security option.

Step 3: On the Windows Update page, select Advanced options from the right pane.

Step 4: Now, tap the Pause until the drop-down button to select a date you want to defer the automatic download.

The maximum duration you can temporarily pause Windows updates for on your computer is 35 days. After this period, your computer will resume automatic download of Windows updates until you pause it again.