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

A Windows 10 PC connected to the internet helps you get the best out of your computer. However, this comes at a cost as Windows 10 is naturally one heck of a data-demanding operating system. If you are using a limited or capped data plan to access the internet on your PC, you’d definitely want to monitor and reduce how much data the Windows 10 OS 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. Also, it’s about time you’ve noticed that your Windows 10 PC consumes way too much data than usual. So, to use your internet plan judiciously, you should also reduce your Windows 10 computer data usage using the tips listed below.

1. Make Connection Metered

One of the easiest ways to make your Windows 10 computer use less data than it normally would is to make your internet 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.

Here’s how to easily make your internet connection metered on any Windows 10 computer.

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select ‘Network & Internet’ option.

Step 3: In the Status section, Windows will show you the network your PC is currently connected to (could be Wi-Fi or Ethernet). To change the network status to metered, tap ‘Change network properties’ option.

Step 4: Scroll to the Metered connection section, and if the ‘Set as metered connection’ option is toggled off. Flick it on.

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. Let’s say your internet plan’s data bandwidth is capped at 20GB, and you don’t want your PC to use more than 2GB per week. So you can set a weekly data limit of 2GB on your computer. That way, you are in total control of your PC’s data consumption.

Before you set a data limit, having your PC’s connection set to metered (check method #1 above) could further help 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 ‘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. On Windows 10, you can only set Monthly, One-time, or Unlimited data limits.

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. You can either readjust the data limit or remove it entirely. Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage to edit or remove a data limit.

3. Restrict Background Data

By default, the Windows 10 OS is designed to use your internet data to install and update certain Windows Store apps. If left unrestricted, these background app updates could consume a huge chunk of your (limited) internet plan. 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 & Internet’.

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

Step 4: Scroll to the Background data section and select Never to restrict the background usage of data by the Windows Store.

Alternatively, if you have an active data limit set on your computer, you can restrict background data usage when you hit 10% of your data limit.

4. Turn off Background Apps

The Windows 10 OS lets some app run in the background, even when the apps are closed, and you aren’t using them. Not only do some of these apps (with permission to run in the background) silently consume your internet bandwidth, they also run your PC’s battery down faster than usual.

If you are looking to limit your Windows PC’s data usage to the barest minimum, one thing to do is to turn off background apps or reduce the number of apps running in the background. Here’s how to go about it.

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 background’ option to toggle it off and disable background apps.

Alternatively, you can turn off select apps from running in the background. That way, the functioning of relevant apps won’t be disrupted.

Step 5: Scroll to the ‘Choose which apps can run in the background’ and turn off apps you don’t want running in the background.

5. Disable Settings Synchronization

When you sign-in your Microsoft account to your PC, the Windows 10 operating system 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.

To save data, you should disable this setting and only turn it on only when you need to sync your settings to other devices. Here’s how to get it done.

Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select Accounts.

Step 3: Tap ‘Sync your settings’ option.

Step 4: Toggle off the Sync settings option.

6. Turn off Microsoft Store Auto-Update

On every Windows 10 PC, default Windows app or apps you manually install from the Microsoft Store are set to get updated automatically as soon as there’s a new version available. While automatic app updates come with its advantages, it’s bad for your limited data/internet plan. Although making your internet connection metered temporarily halts these automatic app updates, you can (and should) also directly disable auto-update within the Microsoft Store.

Here’s how to get it done.

Step 1: Launch your PC’s 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. A good way to reduce your PC’s Windows update-related data usage is to pause the update till a later date, preferably when you have access to an uncapped wireless or Ethernet network. Follow the steps below to see how it’s done.

Step 1: Launch your PC’s Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Select ‘Updates & Security’ option.

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

Step 4: In the Pause update section, tap the Pause until the drop-down button to select a date you want to defer automatic download and installation of Windows updates till.

Note: 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.

Be In Charge

Unexpectedly exhausting your internet data plan before its expiration period could get annoying. Also, it will end up costing you more for activating those flexi-packs and what not. To prevent that, you should ensure that your computer uses your internet for the important stuff only. Take control and reduce your Windows 10 PC data usage by only letting the bare minimum activities access it for necessary updates.

Next up: Streaming videos on YouTube can quickly eat up your limited internet plan. Check out some useful tips to reduce YouTube data usage on mobile and PC.