Can I update 2 Windows 10 computers with one download (metered conn)

CODeb said:

We have two computers that run Windows 10, and we have metered satellite internet, so we pay a lot for our precious allotted data each month, and guard it like a hawk.

Is there any way we can download the updates with just one of the computers and then update both with that update? Right now, both computers are downloading each update (sometimes multiple times due to failed updates), and this is eating up our data at a rapid rate.

Also, is there any way to delay updates until we can get to unmetered internet connections?

Thanks in advance,

Deb

Yes you can limit data usage to some extent.

Here's what you could do:

1. Go to Settings -app
2. Navigate to Network & Internet
   
3. Find you currently active connection and click on it.
4. Scroll down the new page until you find a section Metered Connection
5. Toggle the button to ON -state

Now you have enable metered connection, which will make sure that Windows automatically only downloads the most critical updates like revere security hole patches and Antivirus definitions.

If you want to limit monthly data usage even further then you can do the following:

1. Open Settings -App
2. Navigate to Network & Internet
3. In the side menu select Data Usage
   
4. In the Data Limit section click on Set Limit -button and set appropriate parameters
   
5. In the Background data section toggle the radio button from Never to Always
   

Now all should be as restricted as it can humanly be.

For cumulative updates, which are huge, you could now go and manually download the file on one computer and then use that file on both computers to fix possible issues. Or you could even find a friend with free data plan and download the file on a thumb drive using his/her machine. If your computer is running just fine, then most Cumulative updates are in most cases not needed. You can read more about this at TenForums Tutorial - Download and Install Windows Update from Microsoft Update Catalog


Hope this helps. :)

CODeb said:

Yes! It helps a lot. I forgot to mention that we have Windows 10 Home version - is the Data Limit - Set Limit available to us? I went in and looked at the Data Limit and I don't see Set Limit...

Thanks so much,
Deb

There should be some button there which allows you to set the actual data limit. We have different Windows versions so sending a screenshot here of your Settings window would help me point you in the correct direction.

CODeb said:

Yes! It helps a lot. I forgot to mention that we have Windows 10 Home version - is the Data Limit - Set Limit available to us? I went in and looked at the Data Limit and I don't see Set Limit...

slicendice said:

There should be some button there which allows you to set the actual data limit. We have different Windows versions...

Unfortunately the lack of data limits settings isn't down to having Home, it's down to having version 1709 (or earlier). 1709 is the latest public release, the Fall Creators Update (os build 16299). The data limit settings will be in 1803, the Spring Creators Update (17133) . From the tutorial...

Starting with Windows 10 build 17063, you can now configure data limits and/or place background data restrictions to Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections...

Set Data Limit for Wi-Fi and Ethernet in Windows 10

1803 is expected to get a public launch within days, only Insiders have 1803 at present. But with a tight data cap the last thing you want is to have to download 3-4GB just to get the upgrade to 1803.

When the time comes to upgrade to 1803, then that IS something you can download once and apply to both machines. You use the Media Creation Tool to download the install files to an ISO file or a USB then use that to upgrade each machine.

Download Windows 10 ISO File

For cumulative updates, which are huge, you could now go and manually download the file on one computer and then use that file on both computers...

The standalone manual cumulative updates are huge because they contain every fix issued since your version of widows was first released. The good news is that if you leave windows update to download the latest cumulative update it only downloads those parts of a cumulative update that are fixes that you do not already have.

What version do you have? Run Winver to find out. The latest public release is version 1709 os build 16299.334.

Thanks @Bree for the correction

I've been fiddling with 1803 for too long I think.

CODeb said:

Ah! That is good news - I do have 1709. I'll try to visit friends and update to 1803.

We expect the Spring Creators Update, 1803 to be released on Tuesday 10th April. When it is released, this page will change to say...

Windows 10 Spring Creators Update now available

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

...and the Media Creation Tool you can download from that page will be updated to the one that makes 1803 install media. Wait until the official release, until then you would only get the old MCT which is for 1709.