How to Hide or Show Data Usage for Wireless Networks in Windows 8 and 8.1
Information
This will show you how to hide or show the counters that provide real time local data usage estimates for Wi-Fi and mobile broadband network connections in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
This is not available for a wired network connection.
The local counters keep track of the amount of data used on each individual wireless network type so you don’t have to. When the counter is set to show, you can reset the counter whenever you want, which may be useful if you want to monitor your usage month-to-month or even within a session. Although you should think of the local data counters as a quick way to determine your usage, they are not a substitute for what mobile operators (ex: AT&T, Verizon, etc...) report as their usage, which may vary slightly, and should be available in the operator’s metro app.
For more details, see also:
Engineering Windows 8 for mobile networks - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
This is not available for a wired network connection.
The local counters keep track of the amount of data used on each individual wireless network type so you don’t have to. When the counter is set to show, you can reset the counter whenever you want, which may be useful if you want to monitor your usage month-to-month or even within a session. Although you should think of the local data counters as a quick way to determine your usage, they are not a substitute for what mobile operators (ex: AT&T, Verizon, etc...) report as their usage, which may vary slightly, and should be available in the operator’s metro app.
For more details, see also:
Engineering Windows 8 for mobile networks - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
EXAMPLE: WiFi Network Estimated Data Usage in Networks
NOTE: You will need to click/tap on the wireless network to see it's estimated data usage if set to show.
OPTION ONE
Hide or Show Network Data Usage in Networks in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Update
1. Do either step 2, 3, or 4 below for you would like to open Networks.
2. From Taskbar
A) Go to your Desktop, click/tap on the Network icon in the taskbar system icons area at the far right, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could open the desktop by pressing the :winkey: + D keys.
3. From Charms Bar
A) Open the Charms bar, click/tap on the Settings charm, click/tap on your wireless network icon, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also press the :winkey: + I keys to directly open the Settings charm.
4. From Control Panel
A) Open the Control Panel (category view), click/tap on the Network and Internet link, click/tap on the Connect to a network link under Network and Sharing Center, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
5. Do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do.
6. To Hide Estimated Data Usage Counter for a Wireless Network
A) At the top of the Charms bar under Wi-Fi, right click or press and hold on a wireless network that you want to apply this to, click/tap on Hide estimated data usage, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Touch screen users will have to tap and hold on the wireless network instead of right clicking on it.
7. To Show Estimated Data Usage Counter for a Wireless Network
NOTE: This is the default settings.
A) At the top of the Charms bar under Wi-Fi, right click or press and hold on a wireless network that you want to apply this to, click/tap on Show estimated data usage, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Touch screen users will have to tap and hold on the wireless network instead of right clicking on it.
8. When finished, you could press the :winkey: key to return to the Start screen if you like.
OPTION TWO
Hide or Show Network Data Usage in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update PC settings
1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on Network on the left side. (see screenshot below)
2. Click/tap on Connections on the left side of "Network", and click/tap on a network (ex: Brink-Router 2) on the right side that you want to hide or show data usage for. (see screenshot below)
3. Under Data usage for the Show my estimated date use in the Networks list option, do step 4 or 5 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
4. To Show Data Usage of Network Connection in Networks
A) Move the slider to the right to turn it on, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 3)
5. To Hide Data Usage of Network Connection in Networks
A) Move the slider to the left to turn it off, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 3)
6. When finished, you can close PC settings if you like.
OPTION THREE
To Hide or Show Network Data Usage in Registry Editor
NOTE: This option can be used in Windows 8, RT, 8.1, and 8.1 Update.
1. Press the :winkey: + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Network\DataUsage\Wlan
4. Double click/tap on the Wlan key in the left pane to expand it. Click/tap on the key in the left pane with your wireless network name (ex: Brink-Router) that you want to turn on or off to show data usage for. (see screenshot above)
5. In the right pane of the key in the left pane with your wireless network name (ex: Brink-Router), double click/tap on the Visible DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below step 3)
6. Do step 7 or 8 below for what you would like to do.
7. To Show Data Usage of Network Connection in Networks
A) Type 1, click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below step 8)
8. To Hide Data Usage of Network Connection in Networks
A) Type 0 (zero), click/tap on OK, and go to step 9 below. (see screenshot below)
9. When finished, you can now close Registry Editor if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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