How to Check Which Apps Are Using the Internet on Windows 11

In 2023, many people enjoy fast internet speeds and unlimited bandwidth at affordable rates. However, there are still areas where bandwidth and internet speed can be limited. If you’re facing such issues, managing your internet usage becomes crucial. Windows 11 offers several ways to monitor which apps are consuming your internet. Here’s how to check and control apps using your internet on Windows 11.

1. Check Apps Using the Internet via Task Manager
Task Manager is a powerful utility that lets you monitor all running apps and services. It also allows you to check which apps are using your internet in real-time. Follow these steps:

1. Open Task Manager by typing it into the Windows 11 search bar and selecting the app.
2. In the Task Manager, click on the Network column to sort apps based on internet usage.
3. You’ll see a list of all running apps and the amount of internet they are using.
4. If you want to stop any app from using the internet, right-click on the app name and select End Task.

2. Check Internet Usage via Resource Monitor
Resource Monitor is a more advanced tool than Task Manager and provides detailed insights into network activity. Here’s how to use it:

1. Type Resource Monitor into the Windows 11 search bar and open the app.
2. Switch to the Network tab once the Resource Monitor opens.
3. In the Network Activity section, you can see which apps are currently connected to the internet.
4. The Sen column shows upload speeds, Receive shows download speeds, and Total combines both.

3. Check Total Data Usage of Apps via Settings
If you’re interested in seeing the overall data usage of apps over time, you can use the Windows 11 Settings app. Here’s how:

1. Open Settings by searching for it in the Windows 11 search bar.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. On the right side, select Data Usage.
4. Use the Filter by drop-down to set a time frame. You’ll then see the total data usage of all apps within that period.

How to Limit Data Usage on Windows 11
If you have limited bandwidth, it’s a good idea to set data limits to avoid extra charges or prevent overconsumption. When the limit is reached, Windows 11 will stop apps from using the internet. Here’s how to set a data limit:

1. Open Settings and navigate to Network & Internet.
2. Select your network and click on Set a data limit to help control data usage on this network.
3. Click on the Enter limit button.
4. Set the Limit Type, Reset Date, and Data Limit, then click Save.

Windows 11 will now notify you when you are approaching your data limit. The counter will reset after the specified time period.

How to Block Internet Access for Specific Apps
If you don’t want to limit data usage but want to prevent certain apps from accessing the internet, you can use Windows Defender. Blocking internet access can prevent background apps from consuming data unnecessarily. You can find detailed instructions for blocking apps’ internet access in our guide on that topic.

By following these methods, you can manage your internet usage and prevent apps from consuming excessive bandwidth on Windows 11. Learn More