How to throttle Azure backup bandwidth usage on Windows 10

Using Microsoft Azure services is a convenient solution to backup your files on a Windows 10 machine or server running Windows Server securely in the cloud. However, if you must create multiple recovery points throughout the day, backup operations can significantly slow down your internet connection.

Thankfully, the Azure backup console includes an option to throttle internet bandwidth usage for backups during certain times to prevent slowdowns.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to throttle bandwidth usage for backup operations to Azure on Windows 10. (You can also use the same instructions to restrict bandwidth usage on Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, 2012, and even 2008.)

How to throttle Azure backup bandwidth usage during work hours

To limit the bandwidth usage for backup operations to Azure, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Microsoft Azure Backup and click the top result to open the console.

3. Click the “Actions” menu and select the Change properties option.

   

4. Click the Throttling tab.

5. Check the internet bandwidth usage throttling for backup operations option.

   

6. Use the “Work hours” settings to throttle bandwidth usage (in Kbps or Mbps) for a backup operation during work hours.

7. Use the “Non-work hours” settings to specify the amount of bandwidth a backup operation to Azure can use during off hours. (If you don’t have a capped internet connection, you should use the full available bandwidth for quicker uploads.)

8. Use the “Work hours” schedule settings to specify your active hours and days.

9. Click the OK button.

10. Click the OK button again.

Once you complete the steps, backup operations to Azure will no longer use the total available bandwidth preventing internet slowdown during work hours.