DataLimiter
DataLimiter is a Windows CLI that helps users save internet data while connected
to a mobile hotspot or other metered connection.
When enabled, DataLimiter switches Windows Firewall outbound policy to block and
then allows only Chrome browsing, DNS, and DHCP traffic. The goal is to reduce
unexpected background data usage from apps, updaters, launchers, sync clients,
and other software while still letting the user browse the web in Chrome.
The tool is intended for short, reversible sessions on a personal Windows
device. For example, a user can connect a laptop to a phone hotspot, run
datalimiter enable, browse in Chrome with fewer background data leaks, and then
run datalimiter disable when they return to normal Wi-Fi.
DataLimiter does not compress traffic, throttle bandwidth, or enforce per-site
limits. It is a simple firewall-based browsing-only mode for data-conscious
hotspot use.
Commands
datalimiter enable
datalimiter disable
datalimiter status
datalimiter repair
datalimiter app add
datalimiter app remove
datalimiter strict enable
datalimiter strict disable
enable, disable, and repair require Administrator privileges.
app add and app remove also require Administrator privileges because they
rewrite DataLimiter firewall rules.
app add allows another executable to use the internet alongside Chrome while
DataLimiter is active. You can pass a command name that Windows can resolve, or
a full executable path:
datalimiter app add slack
datalimiter app add "C:\Program Files\SomeApp\SomeApp.exe"
app remove removes a previously allowed executable by name or path:
datalimiter app remove slack
status shows Chrome and any extra apps currently allowed to access the
internet.
Strict Mode
Normal enable changes the Windows Firewall outbound default policy to block
and adds DataLimiter allow rules, but existing outbound allow rules from other
apps can still permit traffic.
Strict mode is an explicit stronger mode for hotspot sessions where you want to
reduce those exceptions:
datalimiter strict enable
Strict mode snapshots currently enabled outbound allow rules that were not
created by DataLimiter, skips common Windows networking and Microsoft system
rules, disables the captured rules in bulk, and then reapplies the DataLimiter
allow rules for Chrome, DNS, DHCP, and any apps added with .
The command prints progress while it scans, saves restore state, disables rules,
and reapplies DataLimiter rules.