How to remove internet speed limits on windows

How to Remove Internet Speed Limits on Windows

Experiencing slow internet speeds can be frustrating, especially when you’re paying for a high-speed connection. While various factors can contribute to slow internet, including your ISP, network congestion, or hardware issues, sometimes the problem lies within your Windows settings. Windows can occasionally limit your internet speed due to various built-in features and configurations. Fortunately, there are several methods to optimize your system settings and potentially remove these limits to achieve faster internet speeds.

Disable Windows Update Delivery Optimization

Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO) is a feature designed to allow your PC to share update files with other PCs on your local network and the internet. While this can help reduce the load on Microsoft’s servers and speed up update delivery, it can also consume a significant portion of your bandwidth, slowing down your internet connection. To disable WUDO:

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Win + I.
2. Go to Update & Security.
3. Click on Delivery Optimization.
4. Toggle off the switch that says Allow downloads from other PCs.

Adjust QoS Packet Scheduler

Quality of Service (QoS) Packet Scheduler is a Windows feature that can reserve up to 20% of your internet bandwidth for system services like Windows Updates and other background tasks. Disabling this feature can potentially free up this reserved bandwidth for other uses:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > QoS Packet Scheduler.
4. Double-click on Limit reservable bandwidth.
5. Set it to Enabled, then set the Bandwidth limit (%) to 0.
6. Click Apply and OK.

Optimize Network Adapter Settings

Your network adapter settings can also impact your internet speed. Optimizing these settings can enhance performance:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties.
4. Click on Configure.
5. Go to the Advanced tab and adjust the following settings:
   • Speed & Duplex: Set to Auto Negotiation or the highest possible setting.
   • Receive Side Scaling: Set to Enabled.
   • Large Send Offload: Set to Disabled.

Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can lead to poor internet performance. Ensuring your network drivers are up-to-date can resolve speed issues:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network adapters section.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

Disable Background Applications

Background applications can consume significant bandwidth, leading to slower internet speeds. Disabling unnecessary background applications can free up bandwidth:

1. Open the Settings app and go to Privacy.
2. Click on Background apps.
3. Toggle off the switch for apps that you don’t need running in the background.

Use a Wired Connection

While Wi-Fi offers convenience, a wired Ethernet connection generally provides a more stable and faster internet connection. If possible, connect your PC directly to your router using an Ethernet cable to maximize your internet speed.

Adjust Power Management Settings

Windows power management settings can affect your network adapter’s performance. Optimizing these settings can enhance internet speed:

1. Open Device Manager and expand the Network adapters section.
2. Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties.
3. Go to the Power Management tab.
4. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

Corrupted TCP/IP and Winsock settings can lead to connectivity issues and slow speeds. Resetting these settings can help:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type netsh int ip reset and press Enter.
3. Type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
4. Restart your computer.

Summary

By following these steps, you can potentially remove any internet speed limits imposed by your Windows settings. Disabling unnecessary features, optimizing network settings, updating drivers, and ensuring a direct connection can all contribute to a faster, more reliable internet experience. While these adjustments won’t fix external factors like ISP throttling or network congestion, they can significantly improve your overall internet speed on your Windows device.