would like help getting the most out of my data from devices

[matthew_dolan]

I would like help with how to manage data, through apps and data managing programs so on.. i have and i phone 6s and and 2 lap tops a belkin ac1600 router and HN HT1100 modem. Im new to HN and very concerned from what i have been reading on this community page. I hope i have not made a bad choice in going this rout. 

[GabeU]

What Operating Systems are the two laptops using, specifically the version number if Windows.  This will determine what needs to be adjusted regarding the OS itself.  

An ad blocker can save a lot of data.  It will prevent ads from playing on websites, and some websites have MANY ads on them.  It's actually quite annoying.  AdBlock Plus is probably the most oft used one.  It's free, and you can get it here... https://adblockplus.org/.  There are versions for Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer.  

It's also a good idea to adjust Facebook so it does NOT automatically play videos.  The "Auto Play Videos" adjustment will be in the settings section of your Facebook page.  The default setting is normally on, so you'll want to turn it off.  

Now it comes to the OS settings, but I will wait to find out what you have.  

As for the iPhones, I can't help you with that, as I don't have one, but others can.  

[matthew_dolan]

Toshiba satellite intell core 7, windows 10, the other lap top is my Girlfriends so im not really sure about the 2nd. 

[GabeU]

Ah.  Okay, with regard to Windows 10, there are three things you can do. 

One.  If connected wirelessly, using a router, you can set your computer to a "Metered Connection."  What this will do is give you more control over when your Windows updates are downloaded.  You don't have to do it, but again, if you want to be able to download them during the Bonus Bytes period, or just control them for whatever reason, you'll need to do this.  Otherwise, the Windows updates will download when they are released (if your computer is on). Click on Start (the Windows icon on the lower left), then Settings, then Network & Internet.  Select Wi-Fi on the left, then click Advanced Options.  Then turn on "Set as metered connection."   

Second.  You'll want to turn syncing off.  Click on Start, Settings, Accounts, then Sync Your Settings on the left.  Turn all of the individual options off (I don't know that this is really necessary, but I just do it anyway), then turn off the Sync Settings switch at the top of the options.  

Lastly, and this can really be the big one, turn off Updates From More Than One Place.  Again, click on Start, Settings, then Update & Security.  Click on Advanced Options in the middle of the page.  Then click on "Choose How Updates Are Delivered."  Then turn the switch OFF.  This will keep your computer from sharing updates, as in other computers on the net.  That one can be a HUGE data drain.  

That's pretty much it, but those things can use a lot of data.  The syncing may not really affect you as you only have one computer, but if you were to have a second computer under your name, it could cause a large data drain from them syncing.  It's best to just have it off.    The updates from more than one place, though, is another story.  It's best to have that off, too.  

A couple of other things, though.  I wouldn't use the cloud (OneDrive).  If you haven't already set it up, then it's not using it, so you should be fine.  If you have, think twice, as it can use a lot of data, as well.  I also wouldn't use the iCloud with your iPhones. It's a great way to save your data, but with a capped service like this, it can really use a lot of data and very quickly.  To turn OneDrive completely off and have it not come on, right click on it's icon in your task bar and select settings.  Clear the check mark from "Start OneDrive Automatically When I Sign Into Windows."  Click okay.  Right click on the One Drive icon in the task bar again, then click Exit, and "Close OneDrive" in the box that pops up.  It will never start again (until your manually do so).


Another thing is DirecTV.  It's not a good idea to use Hughesnet with a DirecTV receiver, so if you have DirecTV and it's using Hughesnet, it's best to turn that connection off.  A DirecTV receiver can use a lot of data downloading the guide and show and movie descriptions.  If you or the installer didn't connect the DirecTV receiver to Hughesnet, then it's not connected.  It's something you have to actively connect.  

One last thing.  A great app that you can install on your computer is called Glasswire.  It won't save you data, but what it can do is tell you what, on your computer, is using data if you start to notice that your data is draining quickly.  It's free, as well.  Again, though, it only monitors your computer, so if your phone is using the excess data, it won't be able to tell you that, though you could probably figure it out by process of elimination.  Also, the "Firewall" description isn't actually a Glasswire firewall.  It's a part of Glasswire that gives you more control over your Windows Firewall.  You can turn it off, though, if you don't want to use it.  The data monitoring, though, is the most important thing with Glasswire.  

Glasswire is here (use the free version)... https://www.glasswire.com/.

With regard to the iphone, other than the icloud, I don't know anything else.  Hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in to tell you what to adjust on it to save data if there are things that can do that.  

Further, if any of this is confusing, let me know and I will try to clarify it.  Sometimes I am a little confusing in my descriptions.  LOL.  

[matthew_dolan]

Thank you for all the help I have applied all of this to my computer. I hope it helps with data consumption. I really do appreciate the amount of help you gave through all those explanations i was able to do all that rather quickly. I have 10 GB for my cellular plan so i just for now keep my WiFi on my phone off until i figure out more. Do you know anything about Xbox one? im not planning on gaming with it i just know when its hooked up to the internet and you pop in the game it just wants to automatically download updates. any way to schedule updates for the 2 am to 8 am time? or am i just going to have to deal?

[GabeU]

With regard to the Xbox, I'm not really sure.  I do know, like you've seen, that it can use data even when not playing anything.  If you do decide to play games, though, aside from the data usage, keep in mind that real time games are not really going to work due to the latency of the system.  There's up to a second or more of lag, which can cause real time games to be practically impossible to play. 

If you are asking about scheduling the updates for Xbox, I have no clue if that's possible, nor if it is, how to do it.

With regard to scheduling updates for Windows 10, unfortunately, as far as I know, you can't do so with the settings available.  The Active Hours setting only controls when the system reboots/restarts, but not when the updates will download.  With it set to metered, you can manually download the updates at a time you choose, but you have to actively  do it yourself, as, like I said, there's no way to schedule the downloads.

Now, that's with the controls available.  There may be registry tweaks that will allow you to schedule the downloads, but I, personally, stay away from those, as one wrong move and it can screw the entire computer up.  The registry isn't really something that most people should mess with.

I don't have my desktop set to metered, as it can only be done on a computer that is connected wirelessly.  And though I can set my laptop and notebook to metered, I don't have them set that way.  The Windows updates for me have never really been a problem, as I normally have a lot of data left, so I've not gotten to the point where I want to be able to control when they download.  Right now, five days into my monthly allotment, I've used a total of  471MB of Anytime Data and 146MB of Bonus Bytes, and I have the 15/50 plan.  If I get to a point where I am close to my data limit on a regular basis, though, I might change the laptop and notebook to metered so I can control them.

After a while you'll get used to how much data your programs, apps, websites and such use.   

BTW, I forgot to mention, in addition to the antivirus program you have installed on your computer, Malwarebytes is very popular free antimalware program that a LOT of people use.  Viruses and malware can actually use data, too, as well as wreak havoc on your system AND personal life if they get your personal data.  The free version is all you need, and it's here if you want to download and install it.... https://www.malwarebytes.com/.

Now, just to let you know, for some odd reason that I have yet to be able to figure out, Malwarebytes seems to take FOREVER before it "finds" an update and starts downloading it.  I manually update it about once a week, and sometimes it takes ten minutes or more of searching  before it finds an update and downloads it.  Why it takes so long is a mystery, but it might have something to do with the latency causing it to not "catch."  You'll see what I mean if you install it.  It doesn't affect the program, it's just annoying.  LOL.  Still, it's a great program to use to keep your computer that much cleaner.  Anything that helps in that endeavor is a plus, as long as it's a known, trustworthy app/program.  The updates aren't very big at all.  Maybe ten or twelve MBs per update.  

Lastly, I'm happy to help.  I enjoy helping people to get the most out of the service as it can most certainly be downright frustrating getting used to a capped service, especially for those coming from an unlimited service.  Once you get used to what you can and can't do, and how to do the things you can, you actually get to a point that you almost forget it's capped.  This, of course, is with the exception of those who like to do a lot of streaming and/or play real time, twitch type video games.  The real time games are pretty much impossible, but the streaming can still be done, within reason, that is, and in SD or lower resolution.  The two aforementioned things are the things that have to, unfortunately, for the most part, be given up.  But, even though we have to give those two things up for the most part, I look at the alternative, and that's dialup.  No thanks.  LOL.        

[Amanda]

Hello Matthew,

Welcome to the community! I am glad you have already been given some great advice on conserving data. In regards to the Xbox One, there is no way to schedule game downloads unfortunately.

I also found  a link that should help you download the actual Xbox One console updates remotely or by using a "download manager" to schedule it on your computer. You'll probably want to go through the steps to see what needs to be done first and which files you'll need ahead of time.  http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/console/system-updates-solution

Thanks,
Amanda

[farmerhugh]

with regard to i phone I keep my wifi off.  Only turn it on to do updates during bonus time.(if i cannot get to a free wifi spot)  We have 3 computers and have had the same help from these very knowledgeable people that you have received, and have no problems with this service.  We do not stream movies or play games.