You use the internet on your Windows computer for browsing, shopping, streaming, banking, gaming, and storing stuff in the cloud. Apps that use internet data in the background can deplete data allowances, slow down internet speed, and drain the battery on Windows computers. It’s important to keep track of apps’ data usage to save data and keep the system running smoothly. Here is how to check apps using the data on Windows 11 and how to limit it.
Table of Contents
1. Check With Task Manager
Task Manager in Windows can monitor and help manage system processes and optimize performance. You can also use it to monitor apps using the internet on your Windows PC. Here’s how to use Task Manager to check real-time data usage of apps on a Windows PC.
1. Right-click on the empty space in the taskbar and select Task Manager. (Keyboard shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + ESC key)
2. A column named Network will display the app’s real-time internet activity.
3. Clicking on the Network will sort the apps in the ascending or descending order of their network usage.
- Pros: Easy to understand.
- Cons: Lacks detailed data usage.
However, there are some other apps that are better and more advanced than the Task Manager. Read to know more.
2. Check Using Resource Monitor
Resource Monitor is a software tool integrated into the Windows operating system that displays real-time data related to the utilization of both hardware and software resources. Follow the steps to check the apps and services using the internet on your Windows PC.
1. Type Resource Monitor in the search bar and click on it to open.
2. Click on the Network tab.
3. Under the Network Activity, real-time usage of data from different apps and services is displayed. Please note that data here is in B/sec instead of Mbps as displayed in Task Manager. Note that 1 Mbps = 125,000 B/sec.
4. It is further categorized into Send, Receive, and Total for detailed information on the data usage. Send is basically the upload speed, Receive is the download speed and Total is the sum of both speeds that are getting utilized by an app or service.
- Pros: Detailed information on data usage.
- Cons: No option to sort the app and services according to the data usage.
3. Check Total Data Usage
Monitoring apps using data is super important as it helps manage bandwidth, especially if you’re on a limited data plan. The amount of data used by individual apps and the sum of data used in the last 30 days can be checked too.
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings and click on Network & Internet.
Click on Data usage. Also, the total data used in the last 30 days is mentioned below the Data usage.
Individual apps and services are listed here with their data usage in the last 30 days from the connected network. Also, total data usage in the last 30 days can be checked here.
The data usage displayed is from the network you are connected to. So make sure to connect with the network for which you want to examine the data usage.
- Pros: Summary of all the data used by apps in 30 days.
- Cons: No real-time usage.
Limit Data Usage
If you’re on a limited data plan or using a mobile hotspot, it’s always a good idea to limit data usage to avoid any extra charges. So even when apps are allowed to use the internet, they can’t go overboard.
Many Windows apps and services consume data in the background, even when you’re not actively using them. Limiting data usage can prevent unnecessary data drain and save bandwidth. Here is how to set the data limit on Windows computers.
1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage as mentioned in the previous method.
2. Click on Enter limit.
3. Here we can set different parameters for the data limit and have three limit types. The monthly option will let you select a monthly reset date and data limit. Setting it up will send you a notification when the data limit is reached and will get reset on the date selected by you.
4. By opting for One time, you can select the number of days until data expires and the data limit. It will notify you when the data limit will be reached and reset it after the days you have selected.
5. Selecting Unlimited will let you set a monthly reset date. Your total data usage will be calculated from the date you have selected.
6. The data type can also be changed from MB to GB by clicking under the Unit for setting up the data limit.
7. After selecting the limit type and other options, click on Save.
8. Now the data limit is set and a bar will appear at the top of the same page mentioning data usage, remaining data, and the number of days remaining until reset.
9. Click on the Edit limit or Remove limit button to remove or edit data limits on your computer.
Pro Tip: Microsoft released an app called PC Manager that you can use to manage and optimize your Windows PC. It doesn’t come preinstalled though. We have explained how to use it.
Check Apps Using Data on Windows
Maximize your internet experience, save money, and enhance performance by limiting data usage in Windows. You can follow this process periodically to make sure your PC is running and performing in optimum condition.
