How to restrict bandwidth for updates on Windows 11
Yes, you can control how much bandwidth Windows 11 uses for updates, and here’s how.
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OnWindows 11, the system can automatically control and optimize the bandwidth for downloads and uploads of updates, Microsoft Store apps, and other products to ensure they don’t affect your online experience.
The caveat with the approach is that Windows 11 is unaware of any network activity outside the computer. As a result, other devices in the local network can notice networking speed degradation during update activities.
If you have multiple devices in the local network and an internet connection without adequate bandwidth, you can restrict how Windows 11 downloads updates and uploads part of updates to other devices locally and over the internet through the Settings app and the Group Policy Editor.
Thisguidewill walk you through how to control the bandwidth that Windows 11 uses for downloads and uploads of updates.
How to limit bandwidth for updates from Settings
To limit the amount of bandwidth Windows 11 dedicates to downloading and uploading updates, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the system will restrict the maximum amount of data transmitted over the internet in a given amount of time to download and upload updates.
How to limit bandwidth for updates from Group Policy
If you have Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can also use the Group Policy Editor to limit the bandwidth for updates.
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To limit the bandwidth for system updates through Group Policy, use these steps:
After completing the steps, Windows 11 will download and upload updates at the bandwidth specified in the policies.
You can always revert the changes following the same instructions, but on steps6,9, and15,select the"Not configured"option.
How to view download and upload statistics on Windows 11
To see the download and upload statistics for updates on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the system will give you an overview of the uploads and downloads for updates, including the percentage coming from Microsoft, Microsoft cache servers, computers in the local network and the internet, and upload to the internet and local network for other devices.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
