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How to Stop Windows 10 From Using So Much Data(By MVP Expert)

Windows 10 is designed to be an always-connected, always-up-to-date operating system. It’s the most data-hungry version of Windows yet and if you have limited bandwidth, you might have noticed, your data plans were quickly eaten up in minutes.

And if you are wondering what could be causing this? It’s your new Windows 10. But you can stop Windows 10 from using so much data using a few tricks. Okay, let’s start.

Despite all Windows 10’s automatic updates, the majority of data usage on your PC probably comes from the applications you use. The first thing, we should do is to see exactly how much data each application on your computer has been using.

How To Check Network Usage In Windows 10:

There are two ways to check the network usage in Windows 10.

Method 1: Check Network Usage In Windows 10 Via Task Manager:

To view network usage via the Task Manager access the Task Manager via keyboard shortcut (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) or type “task manager” in the Start Menu search box.

task manager in windows 10

In the Task Manager select the “App history” tab. There you’ll find two columns related to data consumption: “Network” and “Metered network”.

While it’s great this information is right at hand in the Task Manager, you’ll notice something in our screenshot above. All the visible apps are either core Windows apps are Windows Store apps. Maddeningly, the Task Manager still does not display data usage for regular old traditional Windows applications. Hence, we don’t get clear data of how much data each application is using. That’s why we prefer Method two.

Method 2: Check Network Usage In Windows 10 Via Network Setting Section: 

Navigate to Settings -> Network & Internet. Select the top item on the left-hand navigation pane “Data usage”.

data usage check in windows 10

Here you’ll see a general overview of the last 30 days. The circular graph will show you data used over different connections such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

You can dig deeper and get a more granular overview by clicking on the small link under the graph labeled “Usage details”.

HOW TO STOP WINDOWS 10 FROM USING SO MUCH DATA

Here we find the missing data on apps from outside the Windows Store (which is most of the apps most people are using). Chrome, missing from the Task Manager list altogether, shows up right at the top as expected.

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO SEE WHICH APPLICATIONS ARE DRAINING YOUR BATTERY ON WINDOWS 10

How to Stop Windows 10 From Using So Much Data:

1. Set Your Connection As Metered:

One of the first things you can do is set your connection as metered. This will let Windows 10 know you don’t want large updates and apps automatically download.

Go to Start > Settings >Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Advanced Options.

Then Toggle on Set as metered connection.

metered connection in windows 10

2. Turn Off Background Apps:

By default, Windows 10 keeps some apps running in the background and they eat up a lot of data. If you are not using any of these apps, you should consider turning them off.

To Turn off background apps, Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.

turn off background apps in windows 10

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO BACKUP WINDOWS 10

3. Disable Automatic Peer-to-Peer Update Sharing:

By default, Windows 10 automatically uses your Internet connection to upload Windows and app updates to other Windows 10 PCs. Windows 10 won’t upload updates if you set a connection as metered, but you can also turn it off directly.

To prevent the automatic uploads on all networks, you’ll need to open the Settings app, go to Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Advanced Options.” Click “Choose How Updates are Delivered” and set this option to just “PCs on My Local Network” or disable it.

isable Automatic Peer-to-Peer Update Sharing

4. Prevent Automatic App Updates and Live Tile Updates:

If you set a Wi-Fi network as metered, Windows 10 won’t automatically install app updates and fetch data for live tiles when you’re connected to that network. However, you can also prevent this from happening on all networks.

To prevent Windows 10 from updating Windows Store apps on its own, open the Store app. Click or tap your profile picture near the search box and select “Settings.” Disable the “Update Apps Automatically checkbox. You can still update your Store apps manually from the Windows Store app, but Windows won’t automatically download app updates on its own.

Prevent Automatic App Updates

This is useful even if you haven’t installed any apps from the Store. Many of Windows 10’s included apps are updated through the Store.

RELATED ARTICLE: EASIEST WAY TO PERFORM A WINDOWS 10 PARTITION

5. Disable PC Syncing:

This is one of the hallmark features of Windows 10 and quite useful as well.  But honestly, you don’t need to have it running around the clock. You can turn it off and when you do need to keep things synced, you can easily turn it on.

To do that, Go to Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings and turn Sync settings off.

Disable PC Syncing in windows 10

Note: If you think it’s a bit too much, you can pick and choose some settings to sync, for example, Web Browser should not be as bandwidth-intensive as Other Windows Settings and Language Preferences.

6. Defer Windows Updates

If you are running Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, there is an option in Windows Update settings that lets you defer the download of new features for several months. This can be significant since new feature improvements can be quite large. This does not affect the download and installation of security updates.

To Defer Upgrades, Go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options scroll down a bit, and check to Defer upgrades.

defer upgrades in windows 10

Note: Deferring upgrades will prevent you from getting the latest Windows features as soon as they’re available.

7. Turn Live Tiles Off:

Those live tiles on your Start menu use a bit of data, too–although not much. You won’t save much data by disabling live tiles, but you can do it if you want to save every little bit.

To prevent a tile from automatically downloading and displaying new data, right-click or long-press it in the Start menu, point to “More,” and select Turn Live Tile Off.”

turn off live tiles in windows 10

RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO MAXIMIZE BATTERY LIFE IN WINDOWS 10

8. Save Data on Web Browsing:

There’s a good chance that a lot of your data usage comes from your web browser–you can see just how much by looking at the Data Usage screen.

To save data on this web browsing, use a web browser that includes a built-in compressing proxy feature. The web browser will route the data through other servers where it’s compressed before being sent to you.

Google offers an official Data Saver extension for Google Chrome, and it functions the same as the Data Saver feature built into the Chrome browser on Android and iPhone. Install that into Google, and you’re good to go. The Opera browser also has a “Turbo mode, which works similarly.

Download Data Server Extension HERE

Download Opera Turbo Mode HERE

data saver for chrome

Of course, not all these strategies have to be implemented. Depending on the type of plan you subscribe to, these tips will help you to Stop Windows 10 From Using So Much Data.

Did we miss anything? What are your favorite methods for limiting the amount of data Windows 10 uses? Let us know in the comments.

Need help with your Windows 10? You are in the right place. Get technical support for your Windows Computer from our Technical Experts. Create a Support Ticket or Live Chat with a Technical Expert. Also, check how to stop Windows 10 background Update Click HERE.

Follow The Online Video Of How To Stop Windows 10 From Using So Much Data Tutorial on YouTube

jingyansu choudhury

jingyansu choudhury

Hello World, I am the Founder And CEO Of Techyuga. I am working on building Techyuga to become India's No.1 end-to-end repair hub for all kinds of devices.

65 Comments
  1. Last step seems quite useful. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Or just don’t use a crap operating system. Use something far more controllable and user friendly. And most of all, FREE!!!

  3. Hi

    My windows is eating data like hell… Even after i did all those things… Under settings, usage details… It shows that “system” is eating all the data… Please advice what system is

  4. OMG! Thanks a lot! Now I can solve my bandwidth problems.

  5. Thank you very much for taking off the fright I sometimes had when using my windows 10 online.
    I almost thought it was a disaster upgrading to W10 until a friend of mine sent me this (he shared his data with me and in secs it was gone).
    Thanks a lot….. Tech guys….. You’ve made my day.

  6. thankssssssssssssssssssssss a lot

  7. All the idea mentioned in this page are really greatly useful. I really thanks to the editor of this page works a lot.
    And idea from my side to save your data is .. just go to the task manager and see all the application in the network process and (end task) them. Hope this may works too.

  8. Thank you so much guys. Although its still chowing data but its better than before. Advise on what else to do

  9. Thanks a lot guys

  10. Thank you man ! thank you ! you’ve just saved my wallet
    The OS was consuming about 1 mb/s from the internet data.

  11. Thanks a lot for the useful tips here. Bt I am having challenge with setting my system to metered network. I went thru d steps described: Go to Start > Settings >Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Advanced Options, bt I can’t find d “metered option” for me to set my system to it. Pls I need help here, thanks.

    • Yeah, I faced a similar challenge, then found it under “Manage Known Networks” (in WiFi tab) . Then you have to open the properties of each known network and click “Set as Metered Connection”. Hope it helps!

  12. Thanks you so much, actually i had searched so many pages, YouTube videos but nobody can’t fix it. You are the professional fix it just a bit minutes.

  13. For metered connection in new windows 10
    Go to ‘manage known networks’
    Then select the wifi from which you use the internet and click ‘properties’
    On clicking properties you will find metered connection option.

  14. thank you. Very helpful article.

  15. Thanks for Dix tips

  16. how do i set metered connection for dail-up/usb network. Thanks in advance

  17. this solved my problem, before windows 10 system processus was using all my internet, thank you so much

  18. Thanks bro. Dil se danyewad.

  19. thanks a lot…………..

  20. Thanks for helping me out. I have some space available for me now.

  21. Reply
    Martins Ben-Ozuanu June 11, 2018 at 3:31 pm

    Thank you so much for your help, it worked out well.. No more data consumption.

  22. Thank you so much…

  23. A lot of thanks.

  24. So helpful, thanks for saving my data.

  25. Thank you very much,
    My laptop was like swallowing all the net.
    It helped a lot

  26. I have apply all these thing still my windows 10 consuming more data than before ( it is consuming more data after latest update).

    Plz suggest me.

  27. thank you so much for your help

  28. Thank you so much for the post..Really helpful

  29. my window 10 is eating data more than 70mb per second i even isnt able to search a site due to this fear all my data plan roast in hell whenever i turn on data for my lapii.. i much confused and frightened to use any kd of beneficial on my pc … plz help me fix it

  30. Thank you for this. Was using my phone as a WiFi hot-spot and I used a month’s worth in about 15 minutes. Gonna try this.

  31. Thanks for sharing this very useful information ?

  32. its still showing that system is taking a lot of data

  33. I have followed the mentioned steps and the data is just getting consumed..Even when Google chrome is not opened

  34. Really a helpful article. Thank you.

  35. I also used windows 10 latest version but it consume more data and realy had no idea how to stop windows 10 from using more data, but now after reading this article I got the idea how to solve this situation. This post is really helping me a lot.

  36. Do not keep the useless application on your computer as the majority of the data usage comes from applications you use.

  37. Hello. Thank you so much.

  38. Hello. Thank you so much. You have helped me

  39. i also went to windows services, stopped and disabled windows update this helped a lot.

  40. Thanks a million!

  41. Thanks allot guys you have helped me allot. My dateafor along time was being consumed in a shortest time but now am safe everything is sorted.
    But
    Turning this meter on, won’t it cause harm to my windows 10? Please answer me.

  42. That was awesome. Very Informative. Very helpful.. Thank you
    Just Awesome??

  43. Very informative and helpful content

  44. Thanks a lot. I just got Win 10 and have a hard cap data allowance. So burning it up, which WIN 10 did, consumed half of it in 3 days, gets me totally cut off. I have been disabling wifi to control it and using my old PC for the internet but it’s pretty annoying. I hope this helps! I’ll know soon, I am on my last shreds of data now!

  45. Sir please my problem still appears due to these upgrades my whole data pack is consumed in half an hour so plz just help me I followed every step which you explained above sir plz help

  46. Hlo
    When my laptop is connected to phone it’s using heavy amount of data
    Though i did all as what you said And it showing system updating.how so i disable it

  47. Please I need to know the simple way of how to update my windows10 windows depender using HP elite book 6930p

  48. My USB modem keeps connecting for about 2mins then authentication disconnect, what might b th problem

  49. Have you solved your problem?

    I’m also facing the same problem

    Could you please help me out?

  50. Thanks Bro 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😁😁😁😁🥰🥰🥰🥰

  51. U were so helpful. everything is running smoothly now🥲. thank you

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