Monitor Network Usage in Windows 10 - A Comprehensive Guide
Monitoring Data Usage in Windows 10
Both mobile data plans and broadband internet services frequently impose data caps, leading users to become increasingly aware of their data consumption. Windows 10 provides an integrated network usage monitor.
This feature represents a significant improvement over earlier versions, offering a genuinely helpful method for tracking your bandwidth utilization.
Accessing the Network Usage Monitor
The process of accessing this tool is straightforward. It’s readily available through the Windows Settings application.
To begin, navigate to the Settings app, which can be opened by pressing the Windows key + I.
Navigating to Data Usage Settings
Within the Settings app, select the “Network & Internet” category. This section houses all settings related to your internet connection.
From the left-hand sidebar, choose “Data usage”. This will display an overview of your current data consumption.
Understanding the Data Usage Interface
The Data Usage screen presents a clear breakdown of your network activity. It shows usage for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
You’ll see a graph illustrating your data usage over the past 30 days. This visual representation helps identify trends in your bandwidth consumption.
Viewing Usage by App
Windows 10 allows you to see which applications are consuming the most data. This is a crucial feature for identifying potential bandwidth hogs.
Scroll down the Data Usage page to find a list of apps, sorted by their data usage. The amount of data each app has used is clearly displayed.
Setting Data Limits
A particularly useful feature is the ability to set data limits. This is especially helpful if you have a capped data plan.
Click the “Data limit” option. You can then configure a limit for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections.
Configuring Data Limit Settings
When setting a data limit, you can choose a reset date. This determines when the usage counter will reset.
You can also specify what happens when you reach the data limit. Options include receiving a notification or having background data restricted.
Benefits of Using the Data Usage Monitor
Regularly monitoring your data usage can help you avoid unexpected overage charges. It also allows you to identify and address applications that are consuming excessive bandwidth.
By understanding your data consumption patterns, you can optimize your internet usage and stay within your data allowance.
Understanding the Capabilities of the Windows 10 Network Usage Monitor
With Windows 8, Microsoft initially provided network usage monitoring tools. However, these early versions were restricted to tracking data consumption solely from applications obtained through the Windows Store.
For example, data used by a Windows Store version of Skype would be recorded, while the desktop application wouldn't be included in the monitoring.
Related: How to Monitor Your Internet Bandwidth Usage and Avoid Exceeding Data Caps
Improvements in Windows 10
The network monitoring features in Windows 10 represent a substantial advancement over the Windows 8 system. It now encompasses data usage from all applications, not just those sourced from the Windows Store.
This makes it a convenient method for quickly identifying which applications are consuming the most or least data within a 30-day timeframe.
The built-in tools offer a fast and readily available solution for a quick bandwidth check.
Limitations of the Windows 10 Monitor
It’s crucial to understand that the Windows 10 network usage application only tracks data consumption for the specific computer on which it is running.
Therefore, it provides a localized view of network activity.
If you require comprehensive network-wide monitoring, encompassing all devices connected to your network, consider exploring alternative solutions.
For more detailed insights into overall network bandwidth usage, we recommend reviewing our guide: How to Monitor Your Internet Bandwidth Usage and Avoid Exceeding Data Caps.
Assessing Network Utilization in Windows 10
Windows 10 provides two native methods for monitoring network usage. However, one approach is demonstrably more effective than the other. Both techniques will be detailed below, along with an explanation of the advantages offered by the preferred method.
The initial method stems from a Task Manager update implemented in Windows 8. To access network usage data through Task Manager, utilize the keyboard shortcut (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC) or input "task manager" into the Start Menu’s search field.
Within Task Manager, navigate to the "App history" tab. Here, two columns provide data consumption information: "Network" and "Metered network". The "Metered network" feature, introduced in Windows 8.1, assists in managing data allowances on connections with usage caps; further details can be found elsewhere.
Despite the convenience of this information being readily available in Task Manager, a notable limitation exists. As illustrated in the screenshot, the displayed applications are primarily core Windows applications or those obtained from the Windows Store.
Surprisingly, Task Manager currently fails to display data usage for conventional, traditionally installed Windows applications. For instance, Chrome is visible on the "Network Usage" list within network settings, yet absent from the Task Manager’s application list.
Consequently, a more comprehensive understanding of data usage necessitates utilizing the information presented in the network settings menu. Access this by navigating to Settings -> Network & Internet, then selecting "Data usage" from the left-hand navigation panel.
This section provides a general overview of usage over the preceding 30 days. The circular graph visually represents data consumption across different connections. The example screenshot shows Ethernet usage, but laptops utilizing both wired and Wi-Fi networks will display a combined view.
For a more detailed breakdown, click the "Usage details" link located beneath the graph.
This detailed view reveals the data usage of applications not available through the Windows Store – the majority of applications used by most individuals. Chrome, absent from the Task Manager listing, appears prominently as expected.
Do you have a specific question regarding Windows 10? Send an email to ask@howtogeek.com, and we will endeavor to provide a helpful response.
