Does Windows 10 use more data than Windows 7?

Judy in Texas · 02 Jan 2019

I have not changed to Windows 10 yet for several reasons, but I know I will have to sometime. One major thing is delaying my decision.

We pay a lot per gigabyte for our internet service, as the only option for us is a USB modem from Verizon. I know Windows 10 has a number of optional services, such as maybe Cortana, that can be disabled to probably save some usage, but I read so much about Windows 10 updating that I was wondering if, even after minimizing optional settings, does Windows 10 use more internet data than Windows 7? If so, how much?

Thank you so much for your advice.

Porthos · 02 Jan 2019

The default settings do use a bit of data. The is also the twice a year feature updates that are huge. But also keep in mind that Windows 7 end of support is only a year away (Jan 2020).

I wish I could be of more help with actual numbers but I burn a lot of data outside of windows because of streaming and whatnot. As much at it pains me to say this(loyal 10 user) you might want to stay with 7 till the last minute.

EyeInTheSky · 02 Jan 2019

The Windows Store can peck away relentlessly at your data; but you have the option of turning off automatic updates for the store.

If your Verizon service has "Dark Territory" hours - meaning somewhere between the hours of 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. like other providers offer, then you can let Windows 10 peck away at those specified hours by doing all your updating between those hours.

If Verizon does not offer these "off hours" for downloads, you should ask them why they don't. With Hughesnet Satellite, you can get 50GB of data on their lowest tier plan for the hours between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. The regular hours 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. you have a 10GB allowance on the lowest tier of their plan.

The only drawback, is bad weather can interrupt your downloads. Hughesnet has really cleaned up their act from the early days of Lynksys Gen 1 and has been more reliable lately in the dead zones.

Judy in Texas · 02 Jan 2019

Thank you Porthos and EyeInTheSky. I'll wait to see if anyone else weighs in, but I appreciate your knowledge. I appreciate the advice, but I don't feel like I would have any luck suggesting anything to Verizon. We use them because they are the only provider that can reach our house, but I don't find them in any way responsive.

Eye, does the lag time trouble you a lot? I'm glad to see theat Hughesnet reliability is better. I don't think any of our neighbors use it any more.

Bree · 02 Jan 2019

Judy in Texas said:

...I was wondering if, even after minimizing optional settings, does Windows 10 use more internet data than Windows 7? If so, how much?

Welcome to TenForums.

"does Windows 10 use more internet data than Windows 7?" Probably, but I've not measured it.

As far as Windows Update is concerned, the routine monthly cumulative updates are probably of comparable size to their Win7 equivalents. Many of the security fixes will be common to both. The big usage of data download will be the bi-annual 'Features Update', an upgrade to the next version of Windows 10. The current latest version is 1809, the next version 1903 is expected to be released some time in April. A Features Update will be a download of about 2.5 to 3.5 GB.

As you have yet to upgrade from 7 to 10 you have that to look forward to. One way to avoid paying Verizon for that download would be to make the install media on a USB at a public internet point, such as a library. Or you could get a friend to make the media for you.

Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10 | Tutorials

Store apps and their updates are in Win10 but not Win7 so will be an extra. They are generally very small, but the automatic update of Store Apps can be turned off in the Store settings.

A number of apps run in the background and may download data to keep up to date, eg. Weather, News, etc. You can turn off any or all background apps in Settings > Privacy > Background apps. You can also turn off Live Tiles.

Turn On or Off Background Apps in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Turn On or Off Live Tiles for Apps on Start in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Do not set Windows Spotlight as your lock screen, or you will be downloading new images daily.

Finally, set your internet connection as a Metered Connection.

...Some apps might work differently on a metered connection to help reduce your data usage. Also, some updates for Windows won't be installed automatically...

Set Wireless Network as Metered or Non-Metered in Windows 10 | Tutorials
Set Ethernet Connection as Metered or Unmetered in Windows 10 | Tutorials

mTaylor0248603 · 02 Jan 2019

I'd also like to point out that Windows 10 has a data usage settings that can help limit the amount of data that the system uses.

Does Windows 10 use more data than Windows 7?-data-usage.png

As you can see in the image above, you can limit background data, as well as set a hard data limit based on a monthly basis for example. There's also an overview that shows you which applications has used data and how much data it has used in a 30 day period.

Admittedly I've never used this feature myself bit I just thought I'd put in out there.

Ztruker · 02 Jan 2019

From that same screen, you can click on WiFi or Ethernet then select your connection and click on Properties. Turn on the Set as Metered connection. That will stop most updates and reduce data usage considerably.

EyeInTheSky · 02 Jan 2019

Judy in Texas said:

Eye, does the lag time trouble you a lot? I'm glad to see theat Hughesnet reliability is better. I don't think any of our neighbors use it any more.

The lag is only noticeable on the phone side of things. I chose to run the home phone through satellite as well. Who really has a home phone anymore? You would be surprised, because my cell phone reception out here in the sticks is non-existent and the home satellite phone has come through many more times than trying to acquire a cell phone signal.

Pretty sad actually - cell phone carriers bragging about their supreme service, yet their service maps indicate my area is covered right up till I actually tried to use their service in my area. You should see the puzzled looks on the faces of the representatives that are paid to lie to us when I showed them a picture of the carrier signal being absent on my phone.

Not a single carrier can claim they have a steady signal in my area; but their carrier signal maps paint a different picture just to justify my money leaving my pocket for another disappointment.

In other words, satellite phone service has been more reliable than any carrier service of cell phones that I have come across concerning my area.

By the way, here is a picture of my current cell phone reception on a clear night (no fog- I don't care about clouds) - notice the "No Service" up in the left hand corner:

Does Windows 10 use more data than Windows 7?-img_1190.jpg

And this one is after waving it around in the air like I was trying to bring attention to a five alarm fire - I got one bar - big deal - I can't even hold a sequential dial with one bar and that is the best I have ever seen the reception of any of the carriers:

Does Windows 10 use more data than Windows 7?-img_1191.jpg

So, needless to say, I have to travel 6.1 miles in any direction to acquire a decent signal from any of the carriers. Roaming is the same results.

Judy in Texas · 03 Jan 2019

Bree, these are great suggestions and I thank you very much for them.

mTaylor0248603, you have saved me a learning curve by telling me how to minimize ongoing data drains. I note that the menu you show does not mention cellular connection as one of the possibilities that a user might have. Will I see that if I click the drop-down next to Ethernet?

Zruker, thanks for echoing Bree's note about telling Windows I have a metered connection.

EyeInTheSky, you have given me a whole new thing to think about. Maybe I can use Hughesnet after all. Our cell phones are from AT&T, because that is the only carrier that could reach my inlaws, and they are in a midsize town. We had to go out on the front porch to get a signal, which is not fun in the middle of the Kansas winter. In our home in Texas, where we can see downtown Houston, the cell phones don't work in most of the house, but fortunately Verizon does. Our communication system in this country is 'way too fragile to depend on.

All of you have given me a great introduction to tenforums, which I can see is every bit as wonderful as sevenforums!

Bree · 03 Jan 2019

Judy in Texas said:

I note that the menu you show does not mention cellular connection as one of the possibilities that a user might have....

I guess you'll only see a cellular connection listed if you have one (I don't, so don't see it). But you'll be glad to hear that the tutorial I linked to earlier says that...

...Cellular data connections are set as metered by default...