How to track internet data usage on Windows 11

How-to
By Mauro Huculak
published

If you use a capped internet plan, use these steps to monitor your usage and receive warnings before exceeding the limits on Windows 11.

Windows 11 data usage configuration
Windows 11 data usage configuration (Image credit: Windows Central)

Although the majority of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) give you unlimited access to the internet (as long as you don't overuse it), you may still come across services that offer a limited amount of data each month, such as companies that provide mobile hotspots.

If you happen to use a capped data plan, you should be using the "Data usage" feature that Windows 11 offers. The feature has been designed to monitor the connection data usage during a specified cycle. It also includes an option to configure limits to get warnings to make sure you do not exceed the data allowance.

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to get started configuring and using the Data usage feature to control your internet data usage and avoid extra charges.

How to view data usage on Windows 11

To see the data usage of the network adapters configured on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click the Advanced network settings page on the right side.Quick tip: Alternatively, you can access the settings page by clicking the Data usage button on the right side of the network adapter, which also summarizes the last 30 days of usage for that particular adapter.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "More settings" section, click the Data usage setting.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Select the network adapter using the setting on the top-right side — for example, Ethernet.
  2. Confirm the total data usage in the top-left corner for the last 30 days.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Review the usage statistics for each application.

Once you complete these steps, you will have access to usage statistics to find out the total data usage per network adapter and what applications are using the most data.

How to reset data usage on Windows 11

Since data usage is enabled by default, you will need to reset the usage history if you want to start a new data usage counter.

To reset the data history, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click the Advanced network settings page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "More settings" section, click the Data usage setting.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Select the network adapter using the setting on the top-right side.
  2. Click the Reset button at the bottom of the page.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

After you complete these steps, the history information will reset on the device, starting a new count.

How to configure data usage limit on Windows 11

Windows 11 allows you to configure data usage limits to receive alerts as you get closer to the data limit for a limited internet plan. After setting up the feature, you can review the remaining data, modify the configuration, or remove the limit.

To configure a data usage limit on your Windows 11 laptop or desktop computer, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click the Advanced network settings page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "More settings" section, click the Data usage setting.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Select the network adapter using the setting on the top-right side.
  2. Click the Enter limit button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Choose the limit type — for example, Monthly. Other options include "One time" or "Unlimited."

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. If you chose the "Monthly" option, the following settings will be available:
    • Monthly reset date — Specifies when the data usage should reset automatically. If you have to control a data plan, you want to specify the first day of the billing cycle.
    • Data limit — Specifies the data allowance.
    • Unit — Specifies the data limit unit, such as megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB).
  2. Click the Save button.

Once you complete these steps, the system will continue to monitor the data usage and send you a warning as you begin to reach the limit so you can take action accordingly.

Review remaining data

To review the remaining data for the cycle you configured, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click the Advanced network settings page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "More settings" section, click the Data usage setting.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Select the network adapter using the setting on the top-right side.
  2. Confirm the remaining data and current usage.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Turn on the Metered connection toggle switch if you are running out of data and need to optimize the remaining allowance.

After you complete these steps, you will know the remaining data allowance. Also, if you turn on the Metered connection feature, then the system and certain apps will adjust their settings to save data. For example, Windows 11 will no longer download and install maintenance and feature updates, and the Microsoft Store will pause updates for apps. In addition, if you use OneDrive, the client will stop syncing your files until you turn off the metered connection.

Modify data limit

To edit the data limit configuration, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click the Advanced network settings page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "More settings" section, click the Data usage setting.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Select the network adapter using the setting on the top-right side.
  2. Click the Edit limit button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Confirm the new settings for the limit.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Save button.

Once you complete these steps, the feature will continue monitoring the usage with the new configuration.

Remove data limit

To remove a data limit configuration on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click the Advanced network settings page on the right side.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "More settings" section, click the Data usage setting.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) Select the network adapter using the setting on the top-right side.
  2. Click the Remove limit button.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Click the Remove button.

After you complete these steps, you will no longer receive warnings, but the feature will continue to monitor the data usage.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.