5 Ways to reduce Internet data consumption in Windows 10

Windows 10 is designed to provide optimum performance to user. To ensure that this performance is maintained over time, the Operating System updates its various components to latest releases as security fix, performance enhancement and new features among others.

How Windows 10 Update data usage affects you

These updates uses significant amount of data. On a free broadband, this wouldn’t be a problem but on subscription based data connection, every byte counts.

Also, on a limited bandwidth, Windows 10 update consumes data and tends to slow down your browsing experience as they compete for the limited data window.

The main culprit is Windows 10 updates; thankfully, there are ways to control its data usage.

How to manage Windows 10 Update data consumption.

1. Set your hotspot as “Metered Connection”

>>Computer Knowledge = INTERMEDIATE<<

This will be done on your Windows 10 PC after you must have connected your it to your Phone or Router hotspot.

Go to Settings > Open Network & Internet Settings (or right-click on your Network icon on the Taskbar)

On the Settings windows,
Click on Status > Change Network Properties
On the next window,

Scroll down a bit to see the “Metered Connection” toggle button
Toggle it to blue to set your connection as “Metered”

This will disable all unnecessary background updates.

2. Restrict Background data

>>Computer Knowledge = BASIC<<

Go to Settings > Open Network & Internet Settings (or right-click on your Network icon on the Taskbar)
On the Settings windows,
Click on Data Usage > Background data
On “Limit what Windows feature can do in the background”, select “Always”

This might not eliminate the data consumption completely but it will surely reduce it.

If you need further reduction, you may need to disable Windows Update completely.

3. Disable Windows updates in Win 10

>>Computer Knowledge = ADVANCED<<

Open the “Run” Window

Click on the Start Button, then type run or press “Windows+R” to open the Run window
Type “services.msc” to bring up the Services window.
It is arranged alphabetically by default, scroll down and find “Windows Update”

Double click on Windows Update to bring up its own window.
Locate “Startup Type:” and select “Manual” from the dropdown.
Locate “Service Status:” and click on the “Stop” button
Click on Apply and Ok

4. Disable Auto Updates on all installed applications/programs.

>>Computer Knowledge = INTERMEDIATE<<

Go to “Settings” on your installed programs especially browsers and locate “Download Updates Automatically” or any similar language and disable it.

5. Disable Cortana

>>Computer Knowledge = BASIC<<

Doing this will rob you of best Windows 10 experience but it helpful if you are using very limited data. Alternatively, you can disable web search result from Start.

6. EXTRA: Activate GODMODE

>>Computer Knowledge = LEGEND<<

You will do this at your own risk. Knowing how to enable it is part of the risk.

With these 5 settings correctly configured on your Windows 10 PC to reduce data usage, you can now enjoy your internet connection to PC without worrying about data consumption or Windows 10 update in the background.