Key Points
- Marking a network as metered tells Windows to reduce background data use by pausing updates and syncing services automatically.
- You can set a data cap for any metered connection to prevent overages. This is especially useful for mobile hotspots or tethered connections.
- Control which apps can run in the background to prevent hidden data consumption, using the Privacy & Security (Windows 10) or Apps (Windows 11) settings.
- Temporarily pause Windows and Microsoft Store updates, disable settings sync, and confirm OneDrive is paused on metered networks to save bandwidth.
- Track which apps use the most data in the Network & Internet settings. For business environments, NinjaOne helps monitor, control, and secure endpoint data usage across all devices.
This guide covers the options you can enable to set a data usage limit in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This will let you reduce the amount of internet data you use, which is especially useful when on mobile connections with high data usage fees. Configuring data usage on Windows also helps performance on slow internet connections by preventing background services from using your connection while you’re trying to work, play, or stream media.
Quick answer: To set a data usage limit in Windows 10 or Windows 11, first enable Metered connection for the network you’re using, then go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage and set a data limit for that connection. Windows will track usage and notify you as you approach your cap.
Set data caps and protect your bandwidth budget. Watch How to Set a Data Usage Limit now.
Use RMM tools to enforce consistent data usage policies across all devices.
Things to look out for (updated 2026)
Before proceeding, take note of the following caveats:
- Feature availability varies by Windows build: In Windows 11 builds 23466 and later, data limits now support Ethernet connections in addition to Wi-Fi and cellular. Earlier builds may only show Wi-Fi and cellular options.
- Expanded limit options: Newer builds allow you to choose from Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or One-time data limits, providing more flexibility when managing bandwidth caps.
- UI differences across versions: Depending on your build, you may find the Data usage settings under either Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage or Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Data usage.
- Metered connections don’t block everything: Even with a metered connection or data cap set, Windows may still download critical security or driver updates in the background. Use Pause updates for full control.
How to set a data usage limit in Windows 10 and Windows 11
The following settings allow you to control how some of Windows’ features and apps utilize internet bandwidth, allowing you to set limits and reduce the amount of data they use.
This is especially helpful for mobile hotspots, tethering, capped ISP plans, travel, and slow connections, where background updates can burn bandwidth.
Setting a connection as metered
Setting a network connection to metered in Windows 10 and Windows 11 signals to the operating system, as well as some applications, that they should reduce the amount of internet data they use by disabling or reducing some functionality (like automatic updates or online file syncing).
To set your currently connected network as metered, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Start button and select Settings
- Navigate to Network & Internet
- Click Properties next to your network connection
- Toggle Metered connection to On
Setting a data usage limit (data cap)
You can set a data usage limit on metered connections. This will cut off your connection once that limit is reached. This is useful when tethering, and you are approaching your mobile provider’s limit (which can often lead to hefty fees if you go over their limit).
- Navigate back to Network & Internet Settings
- Click on Data usage (next to the Properties button you clicked to change your connection to be metered)
- Select the connection you want to set the data limit for from the dropdown next to Enter data limit
- Click Enter limit to enter a data usage limit
Managing background data for Microsoft Store apps
Apps running in the background may continue to use data without you realizing it. In Windows 10, you can control which apps run in the background by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Navigate to Privacy & Security
- Scroll down to the App permissions section, and click on Background apps
- Toggle Let apps run in the background to Off, or choose which individual apps you do not want to run in the background
The steps differ slightly if you’re using Windows 11:
- Open the Settings app
- Navigate to Apps
- Click on Installed apps
- Find the app you want to restrict from running in the background, click on the options button (…) next to it, and select Advanced options
- Change Let this app run in the background to Never
Temporarily disabling Windows Update
Windows update can download a significant amount of data, and should be disabled if you’re concerned about data usage while traveling. You can disable Windows Update temporarily by following these steps:
- Open the Settings App
- Navigate to Update & Security (Windows 10) or Windows Update (Windows 11)
- Select Pause updates to pause the updates for a week
You can also resume updates or extend the amount of time updates will be paused from this screen.
Note that if you have set your connection to metered, Windows Update will be paused by default.
Disabling Microsoft Store updates
Updating apps from the Microsoft store will also be disabled when your connection is metered. You can also manually disable automatic app updates by following these instructions:
- Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu
- Click on your user icon at the top right of the window and click Settings
- Toggle App updates to Off
Disabling settings sync
Windows lets you back up your settings online to your Microsoft account. This can be disabled to reduce data usage.
On Windows 10:
- Open Settings app and navigate to Accounts
- Click Sync your settings in the sidebar
- Toggle Sync settings to Off
On Windows 11:
- Open the Settings app and click on Accounts
- Scroll down to Account settings and click on Windows backup
- Click on Remember my preferences and toggle off the preferences that you don’t want to sync online
Pausing OneDrive
Windows pauses OneDrive by default when on a metered connection. You can confirm that this is the case in OneDrive’s settings:
- Open Windows File Explorer
- Right click on OneDrive in the sidebar (there may be more than one if you have multiple accounts configured)
- In the right-click menu, click on OneDrive and then Settings
- Ensure Pause syncing when this device is on a metered network is enabled
Monitoring data usage in Windows 10 and Windows 11
If you notice unexpected data use, you can monitor the bandwidth consumption of Windows features and other apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11:
- Open Network & internet in the Settings app
- Click Data usage
- Scroll through the list of apps to see their usage
- Scroll to the bottom of the list to find the button to reset usage statistics
Monitor real-time data usage across all devices.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you’re unable to set a data usage limit in Windows 10 or Windows 11, or the feature isn’t behaving as expected, try the following checks.
1. The data usage option is missing
If you don’t see the Data usage settings, make sure you are connected to a network. In some Windows builds, the option only appears when an active Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular connection is detected. Also confirm your Windows version supports data caps for that connection type (Ethernet support requires newer Windows 11 builds).
2. Ethernet data limit option not available
Support for setting data limits on Ethernet connections was added in later Windows 11 builds. If you don’t see the option, check for Windows updates and confirm you are running a current version.
3. Windows is still downloading updates on a metered connection
Metered connections reduce background activity but do not block critical security updates. To fully prevent downloads temporarily, use Pause updates in Windows Update settings.
4. Data usage statistics are inaccurate or not resetting
If usage data seems incorrect, scroll to the bottom of the Data usage page and select Reset usage stats. You can also confirm your limit reset interval is configured correctly (daily, weekly, monthly, or one-time).
5. Metered connection won’t stay enabled
If your metered setting turns off automatically, check whether your network is managed by an organization. Group Policy or device management tools may override local settings.
What is a data usage limit in Windows?
A data usage limit in Windows is a bandwidth cap you apply to a specific internet connection to prevent the device from exceeding a defined data allowance. It works together with the Metered connection feature to reduce background data usage from Windows updates, Microsoft Store apps, OneDrive syncing, and other system services.
When you set a data cap in Windows 10 or Windows 11, the operating system tracks how much data is used over a daily, weekly, monthly, or one-time period. As you approach the limit, Windows sends notifications so you can avoid overage charges from your internet provider.
Setting a data usage limit is especially useful for mobile hotspots, tethered phones, capped ISP plans, satellite internet, and remote work environments where bandwidth is limited or expensive.
When should you set a data usage limit in Windows?
You should set a data usage limit in Windows 10 or Windows 11 whenever your internet connection has a bandwidth cap or usage-based billing. While unlimited broadband connections may not require a data cap, many mobile and remote scenarios benefit from limiting background data usage.
Common situations where setting a data usage limit is recommended include:
- Using a mobile hotspot or phone tethering
- Traveling and relying on hotel or public Wi-Fi
- Working remotely on a capped ISP plan
- Managing satellite or rural internet connections
- Preventing automatic updates from consuming limited bandwidth
- Monitoring employee device usage in business environments
By enabling a metered connection and setting a data cap, you can control how Windows updates, background apps, and syncing services use your internet connection.
Monitoring and managing Windows data usage in enterprise environments
Businesses often look to monitor and limit data usage on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices to reduce the costs of providing internet connectivity to employees working remotely. Unexpected data usage can also be a sign of malware, or that an employee is misusing company resources.
NinjaOne provides a complete Remote Monitoring and Management platform that gives you deep insights into how your organization’s Windows, Apple, and Android devices are used, including bandwidth usage. You can also deploy policies to control application behavior and reduce bandwidth consumption while monitoring for potential cybersecurity threats.
