Track Bandwidth Usage by App in Windows

To see which programs are using the most bandwidth in Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the “App history” tab, and sort by the “Network” column. For real-time per-process monitoring, use the “Processes” tab and click the “Network” column header to sort by current usage. This article explains both built-in methods, plus third-party tools for deeper analysis.

Why Windows Doesn’t Show Per-App Bandwidth by Default

Windows tracks network data for each app, but it doesn’t surface that information prominently. The Task Manager’s “App history” tab has been the primary built-in tool since Windows 8, yet many users never discover it. The data it shows is cumulative since the last reset, not real-time, which confuses people expecting to see current activity. Additionally, the “Network” column in the Processes tab shows live usage but only for the currently running processes, and it resets every time the process starts or stops.

Method 1: Task Manager – App History Tab

The App history tab is the easiest built-in way to see which apps have used the most bandwidth over time. Here’s how to use it:

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
Click the App history tab (if you don’t see it, click “More details” at the bottom).
Click the Network column header to sort by total network usage.
To reset the counters, right-click any app and choose “Delete usage history” (or use the “Reset usage data” link at the top).

This tab shows only apps that have been running in the current user session. It does not include system services, drivers, or the Windows kernel itself. The numbers are cumulative since the last reset, so they reflect long-term usage, not what’s happening right now.

Method 2: Task Manager – Processes Tab (Real-Time)

For a live view of bandwidth usage, the Processes tab is more useful. Open Task Manager, go to the Processes tab, and click the Network column header to sort by current network activity. This shows each process’s current download+upload rate in Mbps. However, this view has limitations:

It only shows processes that are currently running.
The values update every few seconds, so a brief spike might be missed.
It combines all network interfaces (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN) into one number.
It does not break down by download vs. upload.

Despite these limits, this is the quickest way to see which app is hogging bandwidth right now.

Method 3: Resource Monitor (More Detail)

Resource Monitor (resmon.exe) offers a more detailed real-time view. Open it by typing “Resource Monitor” in the Start menu, or by pressing Win+R and typing resmon. Go to the Network tab. Here you can see:

A list of processes with their current network activity (B/sec).
A breakdown by TCP connections, showing which remote addresses each process is talking to.
Total network activity graphs at the bottom.

This is useful if you want to see not just how much bandwidth an app uses, but also where it’s connecting to. The numbers are in bytes per second, so a process using 1,000,000 B/sec is using about 8 Mbps.

Method 4: Third-Party Tools (NetLimiter, GlassWire, etc.)

Built-in tools are fine for quick checks, but they lack historical logging and per-app limits. Third-party tools fill that gap:

NetLimiter – Shows real-time and historical usage per app, and lets you set bandwidth limits or quotas.
GlassWire – Focuses on visual graphs and alerts when a new app connects to the internet.
TrafficMonitor – A lightweight, open-source tool that shows per-process speed in the system tray.

These tools typically run in the background and keep logs, so you can see which app used the most data over a week or month. Some are free, others are paid. Always download from official sites to avoid bundled malware.

Why the Numbers Don’t Match Your Router’s Usage

A common confusion: Task Manager shows, say, 2 GB used by Chrome, but your router’s data counter says 10 GB. The discrepancy happens because:

Task Manager only counts traffic for the current user’s apps. System services, Windows Update, and other background processes are not included.
Router counts all traffic on your network, including other devices (phones, smart TVs, etc.).
Task Manager’s App history resets when you sign out or restart, so it may not reflect a full month.

If you need an accurate total for billing or data caps, use your router’s built-in statistics or a network-level monitor like a Pi-hole or a router with per-device tracking.

How to Reset the App History Counters

To start fresh, open Task Manager > App history, then click “Reset usage data” at the top (or right-click an app and choose “Delete usage history”). This clears the counters for all apps. Note that this does not affect the Processes tab’s real-time numbers – those reset automatically when a process starts or stops.

Common Problems and Fixes

If you don’t see the App history tab, it’s because you’re in the “Processes” view. Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-left and select “App history.” If the Network column is missing in Processes, right-click any column header and check “Network.” If the numbers seem too low, remember that the App history only tracks the current user – run the app under the same account you’re monitoring. If you need to track system-wide usage, use Resource Monitor or a third-party tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Task Manager show download and upload separately?

No. The App history tab shows a combined “Network” value (download+upload). The Processes tab also shows a combined number. To see separate download/upload, use Resource Monitor’s Network tab, which lists both per process.

Can I set a bandwidth limit per app in Windows?

Not with built-in tools. Windows has no native per-app bandwidth limiting. You need third-party software like NetLimiter or a router with QoS (Quality of Service) settings.

Why does my VPN show as using a lot of bandwidth?

If you use a VPN, all your traffic goes through the VPN client process, so it appears as one large consumer. The actual apps using the VPN are hidden behind it. To see per-app usage through a VPN, you’d need a tool that can inspect encrypted traffic, which is rarely possible.

Does the App history tab include background apps?

Yes, it includes any app that has run in the current user session, including background apps like OneDrive, Teams, or Windows Store apps. But it does not include system services or the Windows kernel.

How often does the Network column in Processes update?

It updates roughly every 1-2 seconds. It’s not real-time to the millisecond, but it’s sufficient for spotting heavy usage.

Can I see bandwidth usage for the past month?

Task Manager only shows since the last reset. For historical data over weeks or months, use a third-party tool like GlassWire or check your router’s logs if it supports per-device history.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →