Background apps and processes are notorious for using up your bandwidth whether on your phone or laptop, and Windows 10 is no exception. There are lots of tools and tricks for limiting bandwidth usage in Windows, and now this one simple setting can be added to that list.

How to Limit the Bandwidth Allowed for Updates in Windows 10

When it comes to how much bandwidth Windows uses for background updates, Microsoft actually gives you complete control. To limit Windows 10's bandwidth usage for updates, just do the following:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Click Advanced Options at the bottom of the screen.
  3. In the window that opens, click Delivery Optimization.
  4. In the window that opens, click Advanced Options.
  5. Under Download Settings check the box for limiting bandwidth usage for downloading updates in the background. Once the box is checked, you can adjust the bandwidth use with the slider. (By default, it's set to 45%.)

If you're using a metered connection, this is a great way to ensure that app and OS updates don't eat away at your precious bandwidth. While many of these updates might be rather small in size, this option gives you the peace of mind to not have to worry about any particularly large updates that Windows might be pushing at any given time.

What tips and tricks do you have for keeping your bandwidth usage low on your Windows 10 machine? Let us know in the comments.