Do you live in an area where internet plans are charged by data usage caps, or do you often use internet on your computer through mobile networks? If yes, then it is a good idea to keep track of your bandwidth consumption to avoid exceeding your internet data plan caps. Fortunately, Windows 10 includes an inbuilt data usage monitor utility that can help you do just that.
The Data Usage app is a pretty useful tool to keep an eye on your internet bandwidth usage. With it, you can avoid going over your internet data plan caps. However, it is important to note that the Data Usage utility checks which apps are using the data from the previous 30 days, only on that computer on which you are running the utility, not on all the devices and computers connected in your network.
In Windows 10, there are two methods to check your network or data usage. The first method is to click the Start button, then click Settings, and from there click Network and Internet. Next, click the Data Usage tab, where you will see the total usage of data from the last 30 days. The circular graph represents data used over different connections. If you are accessing this app on a laptop, then you may see two mixed sources, like wired and wifi connections.
If you click Usage Details link, then this app will display you a list of all the apps which have used network or internet bandwidth. Here, you will get a more in-depth view of all the other apps outside from the Windows store, which are using your internet bandwidth.
The second option to see data usage history is through Task Manager. Right-click on the Task Bar and then click Task Manager. Click App History tab. Here you will see two different columns for Network and Metered connection, and different data usage by apps on both connections. Metered connection was first introduced in Windows 8. You can add more columns to the report by right-clicking on any column heading and make a check mark on required columns.
If you often use internet on your computer through mobile networks, or if internet plans are charged by data usage caps in your area, then it is a good idea to check your data usage through this utility on a regular basis. By doing so, you can avoid going over your internet data plan caps and save on unnecessary expenses.
In conclusion, Windows 10’s inbuilt data usage monitor utility is a handy tool to help you keep track of your bandwidth consumption. With its ability to show you which apps are using the most data, you can manage your internet usage more effectively. So, if you are on a limited bandwidth internet connection, make sure to check your data usage regularly.