Windows 10 churning through data, blowing up usage caps

ZD-Net ^ | August 21, 2015 | By Zack Whittaker

[Swordmaker]

Data caps on internet bandwidth might make some users think twice about downloading patches, which often include security updates.

For some Windows 10 users, the problems keep coming.

Just shy of a month since Windows 10 was released to millions of users through a staggered upgrade, many have found they've run out of bandwidth already. That's because their internet provider sets the amount its customers can download in a monthly billing cycle.

In many parts of the US, the "cap" is in the low hundreds of gigabytes, like for AT&T and Comcast customers, as well as those using mid-sized providers.

But many smaller ISPs -- including those providing users in remote areas and in countries where internet access is not as available-- have data caps that can be significantly lower.

Though Windows 10 was free to download, updating the operating system is costing some dearly, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. Some have blamed the way the new operating system downloads and installs updates. Prior to Windows 10, users could choose whether or not to install updates, depending on where they were in their billing cycle. But for many who breezed through the setup process, updates install in the background, often without user interaction.

Other reports that have trickled in also blame Windows 10's forced updates.

In the past three weeks since its launch, there have been three cumulative updates available for Windows 10. According to sister-site TechRepublic, some installations -- including drivers -- could use about 5 GB of bandwidth for a typical 64-bit installation.

Based on a snapshot analysis of some data caps on one Reddit thread, that could amount to anything from one-quarter to one-third of a user's monthly data.

Windows 10 doesn't make it easy for you to secure your privacy, but it can be done.

Some have added that Windows 10's internet-based system services use up significant amounts of data -- such as the Cortana voice assistant, search, telemetry and diagnostic services, and sharing updates with others (which can be turned off).

Things have changed in the past few years, thanks to the rise in internet streaming services and more interactive (and bandwidth hungry) gaming consoles. But many internet providers have yet to catch up, or don't have the capacity to offer faster services or more bandwidth.

Internet service caps vary wildly by state, region, and country. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have "unlimited" data. Even many Americans are in a region where broadband internet isn't available, relying on mobile broadband and satellite internet -- often at a significantly greater cost for a lesser overall service.

In any case, for heavier bandwidth users, Windows updates are likely going to look paltry in size compared to a single hour of streaming high-definition content from Netflix.

However, turning off updates may not be the best solution. Updates often come with software improvements and bug fixes, but also security patches. Not installing security patches can put a user's data at risk if they are susceptible to hacking and data theft.

The sad part is that these caps are, in many cases, a business decision rather than a technical one, according to Ars Technica.

While many have pointed to Windows for churning up data, it seems that blame may be mislaid.

"This isn't the fault of the operating system," said one Reddit user. "This is the fault of the ISP."

[Swordmaker]

For your pinglist

[dinodino]

Get a Mac.

[Crazieman]

Get Windows 7.

I use 7 x64 Ultimate. Its a beautiful piece of software, absolutely love it.

[cva66snipe]

Microsoft is ignoring what internet access capabilities or rather the limitations many customers still have in the way of allowed bandwidth usage. Cell companies cap at 5 GB a month if you use a Cell USB connect service. Hughesnet the only higher speed alternative for those living outside of densely populated areas caps at 10 GB a month. And MS will take a good chunk of it with their unending Patches.

I'm on dial up myself and I can barely keep W-8 Mistake going on those huge patches. They do all of this and yet the Morons still can't even develop a decent browser anymore much less a decent "Practical" OS. Palemoon is a far better and reliable browser.

As for an OS? Windows XP was the height of MS greatness. It was their best success. XP was best compromise and most reliable and functional OS they had made before or sense.

I'd almost swear MS wants to go out of business by finally ticking off enough customers to where they either bite the learning bullet and go with Linux or pay extra for Mac. I liked MS up till W-8 aka W/Hate and for good reasons. I even forgave them for Windows ME. It's like putting the steering wheel to your new car in the back seat just for the sake of calling it different. MS doesn't listen. There is a huge disconnect in their company now between their products and the ease and practicality.

[davetex]

Ditch Windows, use Linux.

[southern rock]

"This isn't the fault of the operating system," said one Reddit user. "This is the fault of the ISP."

I agree. We are now living in a Terabyte world. Providers need to get with it.

[Norm Lenhart]

I’m on 7/64 and will be here for long time to come. That said, What MS is doing is what Apple did. Driving the market outside their direct control and with no cost to themselves and ultimately, profit for themselves. Econ 101..

They have X functionality and people want X. That functionality is restricted by another company’s bandwidth. So the customer will naturally want more bandwidth to use this functionality they paid for. This will drive cost down and bandwidth up which MS can then leverage further.

The customer forces change on ISPs in ways MS cannot. End result, MS wins.

[Another Post-American]

I live in the boonies. I just “upgraded” from a Verizon hotspot that gave me just 4 GB/month for internet (which is as miserable as it sounds), to 10 GB/month with a laggy satellite modem. But at least I get 50 GB/month extra from 2-8 AM. (Guess why I’m here posting at 5:20 AM...)

Guess I won’t be upgrading to WIN10 anytime soon. :-(

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Guess it’s wait and see before you get it.

[markomalley]

THE LAST Windows update you will need.

I suggest you try a little Windows application called Linux Live USB Creator (or LiLi for short). It allows you to install what's known as a "live" Linux distribution on a USB stick. Then you can boot your computer with that USB stick and try the distribution out to see how well it will actually work on your machine. The nice thing is that you can try out any number of distributions until you find the one you like.

There are any number of ways Linux is bundled together into distribution packages (or "distributions" for short). Here is a site (Distrowatch) where you can read about different Linux OS's and download the ISO's and burn them to a disk for testing and installing.

(For me, the best one for my desktop machine is Linux Mint -- link above -- and the best one for my old eeePC netbook is Peppermint. But that doesn't mean there's one that would work for you better)

One other nice feature with Linux, you can install the OS along-side your existing Windows installation, creating a "dual boot" machine. You are asked, whenever you boot up your machine, which OS you would like to boot up. I did that for several years, and would alternatively go between Windows one of several Linux distros. The last install I did, I didn't waste my time any longer with Windoze.

[SeeSharp]

"This isn't the fault of the operating system," said one Reddit user. "This is the fault of the ISP."

The ISP wrote bugs into your operating system?

[FES0844]

I just wish I understood what all you guys are talking about!

[Darksheare]

Wonder how much of that bandwidth usage is windows phoning home spycrap.

[SeeSharp]

Driving the market outside their direct control and with no cost to themselves and ultimately, profit for themselves. Econ 101..

It's what economists call commoditizing their compliments.

[Swordmaker]

I just wish I understood what all you guys are talking about!

Windows 10 is designed to automatically download and install updates, no matter how large or how often they are pushed out. Some users are on limited data plans, especially those in the boondocks and this uses up their limited data allotment just for repeated updates to the OS.

[BlueDragon]

Thank you for continuing the public service announcement.

No, really. Thanks.

[FES0844]

Thank you for explaining but, truthfully, it’s still Greek to me. I think my computer is a Window7 & every time I log on , it tells me to update my browser! Bless you for trying!

[BlueDragon]

Headline I'd like to see;

Windows 10 Blows Up, MS to go back to XP

[is a smiley face really required here?]

[samtheman]

Get Windows 7. I use 7 x64 Ultimate. Its a beautiful piece of software, absolutely love it.

I agree Windows 7 is very good, but though I hated 8, I do like 8.1 and because I user server2012r2 at work (and it's fantastic) I prefer 8.1 over 7 at home.