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In Windows 11, you can set an internet data limit so that your PC doesn't use more than the allowed amount of data. We'll show you how to specify various data limits on a Windows 11 PC.
You might want to use this feature if you're on a tethered mobile connection, or if your internet plan offers limited data. With this method, you'll know when you're about to reach your allowed data limit.
Table of Contents
Set a Data Cap in Windows 11
In Windows 11, you can set a data cap individually for each Wi-Fi network. You can set a limit for an Ethernet connection, too. To get started, launch the Settings app on your PC. To do so quickly, press Windows+i.
On the Settings screen, select "Network & Internet" in the sidebar on the left.
Scroll down on the "Network & Internet" screen and select "Advanced Network Settings."
On the "Advanced Network Settings" page under the "More Settings" section, choose "Data Usage."
You're now on the "Data Usage" screen. Here, in the top-right corner, click the "Wi-Fi" drop-down menu and select the network that you want to set a data limit for.
Then, beneath the "Wi-Fi" drop-down menu, click the "Enter Limit" button.
A "Set Data Limit" pop-up will open. In the "Limit Type" section, select the type of data limit that you'd like to apply to your connection.
The offered options are:
- Monthly: This resets your data cap every month.
- One Time: This is a one-time data cap that expires after the specified number of days.
- Unlimited: This puts no restrictions on your data usage but resets the data usage stats on the specified date of the month. This is useful for finding out how much data you use within the specified time frame.
If you choose Monthly, click the "Monthly Reset Date" drop-down menu and select the date when your data cap expires. Click the "Data Limit" box and type in the allowed amount of data. Click "Unit" and choose a unit for your data.
Then, at the bottom of the pop-up, click "Save."
If you go for the One Time option, click the "Days Until Data Expires" drop-down menu and select the number of days after which your data expires. Click the "Data Limit" box and enter the amount of allowed data. Select a data unit from the "Unit" drop-down menu.
Then, at the bottom of the pop-up, hit "Save."
If you choose Unlimited, click the "Monthly Reset Date" drop-down menu and select a date on which your data cap expires.
Then, click "Save" at the bottom of the pop-up.
And that's all there is to setting a data limit in Windows 11.
When you get close to hitting your data limit, your PC will send you a warning. You can then either continue to use the internet or stop using it.
Remove a Data Cap in Windows 11
To lift the data restrictions from your PC, you can remove the data cap. To do so, open Windows Settings and navigate to Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Data Usage on your PC.
On the "Data Usage" screen, in the top-right corner, click "Remove Limit."
In the "Remove Data Limit" prompt that opens, click "Remove."
Your data limit is now removed.
Reset Data Usage Stats in Windows 11
Data usage stats tell you the amount of data that you've used. To restart the usage calculation, you can reset this counter.
To do that, open Settings and navigate to Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Data Usage on your PC.
Scroll the "Data Usage" screen all the way down. Then, next to "Reset Usage Stats," click "Reset."
In the "Reset Usage Stats" prompt that opens, select "Reset" to confirm your choice.
And Windows 11 will reset the counter for your data usage.
If you're on a limited internet data plan, there are several things that you can do to use less data on your devices. Streaming services usually eat up the biggest amount of data, but there are ways to make these services use less of your data.