How helpful would enabling 'metered connection' be?

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  1. Posts : 51
    Windows 7 Home- 64Bit
       #1

    How helpful would enabling 'metered connection' be?


    Hi,
    I have read "Wi‑Fi networks. By default, Windows sets Wi‑Fi networks to non-metered. But if your Internet service provider charges you by the amount of data you use, setting your network connection to metered can help you limit your data usage."

    Yes, my ISP charges me by the amount of data you use. My internet account is limited with data amount of 12GB.
    As a result, how helpful would enabling 'metered connection' be?
    Last edited by Hadramawt; 21 Sep 2016 at 15:15.
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  2. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #2

    What it would do is prevent the use of your internet to Automatically download and install items.

    This is great to prevent running out of bandwidth, or being chaged for use of excess bandwidth, but also can leave your system in an unsafe condition as the system will not download anything unless you specifically OK it. this will include security items.

    How close do you come to hitting your bandwidth limit? if you are way off the limit at the end of the billing period then there is probably no reason to set the system as metred, but you can if you are prepared to do the additional manual work required, Obviously if you are always near the limit of use available then this is an essential tool.

    Of course if you choose to not download an update you will need to have access to an unlimited internet source to update when it's convenient or plan your usage to both keep updated and within your limits. (this suits a laptop more than a desktop as you can use free WiFi to update, but this also risks malicious access to your system as these are normally open access networks )
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  3. Posts : 31,480
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    Yes, it's very useful. Setting WiFi to a Metered Connection still lets Windows Update check for updates, but instead of downloading automatically you are notified that 'updates are available' but can't be downloaded. You can then choose if you want to download anyway. Particularly useful for the big ones, like the Anniversary Update (some 3-4GB). You can wait until your monthly limit resets before allowing it to download.
    How helpful would  enabling 'metered connection' be?-metered.png
    You will however have to manually update Defender to keep it up to date, either through windows update or its own 'Update' tab.
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  4. Posts : 579
    Windows 10
       #4

    But, check it regularly.
    Installing new Wi-Fi Drivers or the like, may reset it to its default or even in a Windows Update. It happened to me several times.
    It is a stupid thing to make it default as "no metered", should be the other side round, in regard to people that have metered connections, that can be painful.
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  5. Posts : 1,621
    Windows 10 Home
       #5

    I have DU Meter, the pay-for version, which includes a function called "Data Transfer Costs" which is same as metered internet. I just now set it for the first time to: AT&T's DSL limit of 150GB/month [U-Verse is 250GB/monthly]. I guess an alert will cough up.
    Now, a question, I have two computers at home -- how does Widows metered internet or DU Meter DTC track two computers? My first educated guess is that one has to "add up" two reports near the end of each month.
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  6. Posts : 31,480
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    I don't use DU Meter DTC, just the Windows 10 metered connection. There is no 'usage report' with a metered connection so your 'issue' doesn't arise. Metered Connection, when turned on, is just a simple 'don't use WiFi for downloading updates' setting (which in your case you'd have to set individually on each of your computers). It's up to you to work out if you're close to your limits before you click 'download'. My ISP has a 'broadband usage' page that tells me how much I've used this month.
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  7. Posts : 51
    Windows 7 Home- 64Bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Barman58 said:
    What it would do is prevent the use of your internet to Automatically download and install items.

    This is great to prevent running out of bandwidth, or being chaged for use of excess bandwidth, but also can leave your system in an unsafe condition as the system will not download anything unless you specifically OK it. this will include security items.

    How close do you come to hitting your bandwidth limit? if you are way off the limit at the end of the billing period then there is probably no reason to set the system as metred, but you can if you are prepared to do the additional manual work required, Obviously if you are always near the limit of use available then this is an essential tool.

    Of course if you choose to not download an update you will need to have access to an unlimited internet source to update when it's convenient or plan your usage to both keep updated and within your limits. (this suits a laptop more than a desktop as you can use free WiFi to update, but this also risks malicious access to your system as these are normally open access networks )
    Thank you all of you very much indeed. I got it. However, I have a little question which is if I am connected with a wired cable via Ethernent connection. So, metered connection cannot be considered.
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  8. Posts : 20
    Windows 10 Home (and 7)
       #8

    Hadramawt said:
    Thank you all of you very much indeed. I got it. However, I have a little question which is if I am connected with a wired cable via Ethernent connection. So, metered connection cannot be considered.
    See this:
    Ethernet Connection - Set as Metered or Unmetered in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
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  9. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #9

    Wired or wireless should work the same as far as I am aware
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  10. Posts : 31,480
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #10

    Barman58 said:
    Wired or wireless should work the same as far as I am aware
    Yes, I've followed the Tutorial instructions and it works exactly the same for Ethernet as for WiFi.
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