In this case, Windows 10 has some tools to monitor, control and limit the use of data, something that we can do without installing additional tools, so that we can know how much data we have consumed and how much corresponds to each application. In the same way, we can also find third-party programs developed for this purpose.
Control Internet data usage in Windows
If we want to monitor the data usage of the different applications that we use on our computer, we can see it in real time or in the last month through the Task Manager or from the Settings menu. It will also be possible to set a data limit for the applications that consume the most data.
Use Task Manager to see consumption in real time
If we want to check in real time which Windows applications consume the most data, we can use the Task Manager. To access this tool, we can press the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Alt + Del”, or type “task manager” in the search box of the Start menu.
Once we have accessed the Task Manager, click on the “Application History” tab. Subsequently, we click on the “Network” tab to sort the applications listed by network usage in the last month. Here they will show us all UWP apps, and other third-party applications that we have used will not appear.
Control data consumption from Settings
If in addition to the data consumption of the Windows 10 UWP applications, we also want to see the data use of all the applications that we have installed on our computer, we can do so from the “Settings” section. To access it we must press the keyboard shortcut «Windows + I». Once in the “Settings” window, click on the “Network and Internet” tab and on the “Status” tab.
Subsequently, we must click on the “Use of data” button that we will find under the Internet connection that we have activated. This will make a new window appear where we can select a network and a list of applications will appear that are shown ordered in the amount of data they have consumed in the last 30 days.
Limit the data consumption of any application
Likewise, within the “Data limit” section, we have the “Specify limit” function, which will precisely allow us to establish a data limit. It is a way of seeing how much data our games use that we use on the Internet or if we consume a lot of data browsing the Internet.
As we can see, it will allow us to set a data limit either MB or GB. It is also possible to select if this limit will be indefinite, monthly or only once. In addition, it is possible to establish a day of the month to establish it, in case we need to use a specific date,
Third-party programs to monitor data
Through the use of third-party applications we will be able to see, control and monitor all the data consumed by the different applications that we use on our PC, offering more detailed data and greater control than Windows 10’s own tools.
NetLimiter, optimizes Internet connection traffic
It is a software with which we can monitor and control internet traffic of our computer, allowing us to set download speed limits or for applications, so that we can optimize the traffic of our Internet connection to the maximum. We can use it for free for 28 days by downloading its trial version from this link. If we want to use it permanently, we must buy its license, which has a starting price of $ 19.95.
Its interface is quite clean and is divided into two main sections. In the left panel it will show us all the applications and services available. While in the panel on the right we can get more details about the applications, review the history or establish certain rules about each one.
This tool will allow us create certain rules for the applications we select. To do this, we need to click on an application and it will show us 7 icons that correspond to Priority, Upload limit, Download limit, Block entry, Block exit, In quota and Exit quota. If we click on any of them we can configure it. For example, if we click on Download limit we can set a maximum amount for the download.
BitMeter OS, shows the data of applications connected to the Internet
This application will be in charge of displaying all the data of the applications that connects to the Internet on our Windows computer. We can observe it both in real time and different periods of time, as well as use different integrated functions that we can customize to adapt its operation to what we need. This software is open source and free and works through our browser or by downloading its desktop application. If we want to use and download it, we just have to access its page from here.
The application works automatically the moment we connect and from its lower part we can access the tabs that will help us configure it. From the «History» section, we have available all the internet usage history from our PC. From here, we can create a CSV file with all the data collected and export it to our team.
While in the “Sumary” section we can see the consumption data of our connection present day, month or year. In the event that we want collect consumption data for a certain time we will have to access the “Query” section.
NetworkUsageView, shows the total number of bytes sent and received
This software will be in charge of showing us all the network usage data every hour, including the name of the application, the network adapter and the total number of bytes sent and received by each application. It is a portable and free program that we will be able to download directly from your Web page.
Once we start it, it will show us all the information obtained organized by columns, which we can customize by changing their size and the order in which they appear. We will check how you offer us a detailed breakdown of all installed programs who use the Internet, which we can order from highest to lowest or vice versa. In addition, it shows us all the data in the registry, as well as the amount of data that each application has sent and received.
