When your computer consumes more data (internet) than it should, you are likely to face two major issues. Number one would be a slow internet connection (if you’re on a home internet plan) and number two would be paying more money on top of your internet plan (if you use a mobile data plan). And surely, you wouldn’t like to deal with a slow connection or higher costs, disturbing both your work schedule and budget. So, let’s see what causes the high data usage problem and how you can handle it.

Before we get into this, you must know that some of the Windows 10 features are also to blame for the high data usage issue. But, there are ways to control the internet consumption on your computer. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.   

1- Assess your data usage chart:

You can access your data usage chart via the settings < Network and Internet. Once you tap on the “Data usage” option, it’ll open a chart, and an option to further see the details by clicking on “Usage details” would be given. You can use all this information to assess what applications are using more data.

You may then decide whether you want to keep those apps or delete them. The programs which take up the most data always show up on the top. If getting rid of those programs isn’t an option, then you may take other measures to stop higher internet consumption.

2- Limit your data:

There’s a way to increase control over your data usage. A feature known as “Metered Connection” allows you to limit the use of the internet by apps and programs. Once you turn this feature on, Windows would try to maintain the data limit and wouldn’t install any large updates automatically. This step will help to save data that Windows consume to download and install store apps and updates.

You may go to the “Network and Internet,” click on “Wifi” and tap on the “Advanced options.” Here, below the “Set as metered connection” push the button to turn it on.

3- Uninstall bloatware:

These days laptops come with a plethora of pre-installed apps which you wouldn’t use normally. It’s best to uninstall or disable each of the applications as they may consume a lot of data without you knowing. While you may be exposed to some of these unwanted programs via the start menu, to fully access the entire list, you may go to the Control Panel. Click on Programs < Programs and Features. The whole list of the installed apps will show up. You may scrutinize what apps are useless to you and right-click on them to uninstall them.

This will help you to save the data. However, your PC would also get a performance boost and improve its speed, allowing the hard drive to free up storage.

4- Turn off the background apps:

The background apps may or may not be the same as the bloatware which means they could be part of the essential applications you could need from time to time. For instance, the Calendar or OneNote is the core Microsoft app that you could use when required. However, you wouldn’t want these programs to keep running even when you’re not using them. Therefore, you may open the “Privacy” via the settings and tap on “Background apps.” Then toggle the button against these apps to turn them off.

5- Disable your P2P update sharing feature:

The peer-to-peer update sharing feature is supposed to bring efficiency in the downloading and installation process of Windows updates by letting you install an update once and sharing it with the rest of the computers on your local network. However, this isn’t how it works. Unfortunately, instead of saving time or bandwidth, you end up losing more data, resulting in a poor internet connection on your PC.

So, thumb the Windows key and R key together and enter “Control update.” This will directly open the “Windows update” page. Click on “Advanced options” here. Then scroll down to click on the “Delivery optimization” or “Choose how updates are delivered” option. Switch the toggle button off and this will disable the P2P feature on your computer.  

Final Thoughts:

We mentioned some of the methods you can try to lower the data usage percentage on your computer. While this may help to cut down on internet consumption, you may also take other precautions like lowering the video quality to save more data. We’re not suggesting that you should stream very poor-quality videos but that lowering it down a little may provide clear visuals and also save data which would be helpful if you want to stay within the limit of your internet plan. The rest depends on how you want to manage your overall Windows 10 settings without compromising data consumption.