Limit Data Usage While Tethering PC and Laptop To Mobile [Guide]

Tethering your laptop to your smartphone is a useful way of using internet as provided by your carrier. Most of the mobile networks offer limited data bundles. As a result, you have to be careful while using internet through tethering. This article will depict some methods to control and limit your data usage while tethering your laptop to mobile.

 

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Limit Data Usage While Tethering

Set Tethering Connection as Metered

First of all, you need to declare your tethering connection as metered. This strategy will avoid downloading unnecessary updates. The Windows store apps will restrict their data usage and file syncing apps like OneDrive should stop. It puts the lid on the major users of internet data bundles.

If you desire to declare your connection as metered, click the network icon in your taskbar. Open the Settings app in the modern UI by tapping the Windows logo key+”C”. Then, you may go to Settings->Change PC Settings->OneDrive->Metered Connections. For saving maximum bandwidth and data usage, you must select all the options there as off.

Now, you will have to return to the main menu in the Settings app. Choose PC and Devices->Devices. Scroll down and make sure that “Download over metered connections” is set to off. Now go to “Search and Apps”->”Search” and make sure that everything under the “Metered connections” is also turned off.

Select Your Browser

Chrome and Opera will optimize your data usage while you are using your mobile internet on your PC via tethering.

Chrome reduces data usage by limiting the image downloads on web pages. All plugins will be set to click-to-run only. Opera contains a free feature called as Turbo. It automatically compresses data via Opera’s servers before it is sent to your PC for reducing the data usage.

Disable Cloud Services

When you are running cloud services like OneDrive or Dropbox, the data consumption would increase steadily since their servers will keep on syncing your files. For disabling Dropbox, you need to click on the server’s icon on the lower right corner of your taskbar. If you are unable to find it, you need to click on the upward facing arrow in the taskbar. Then, right-click the drive icon and select Pause.

Stop Streaming Videos and Music

The biggest strain on data usage via tethering comes from streaming videos and music on websites like YouTube and Dailymotion. You must reduce streaming the stuff for limiting data usage.

 

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The aforementioned methods present a clear picture as to how to limit data usage while tethering. Keep an eye on your data consumption while using these methods. You will get the idea, which of these methods, saves data usage the most while tethering.