I seem to have no option for Automatic downloading of updates

dalchina said:

The comment about forcing critical updates refers to the forthcoming Creators Upgrade.

I have already installed Creators Update, but no critical updates can be forced because automatically checking for updates is prevented by metered connections.

dalchina said:

I understand that applies to the CU- or is that wrong or already out of date?

That statement (shown in your screenshot) appears on my CU too, but the fact is that it will never automatically check for updates, so no updates will be found, downloaded, and installed.

My Windows Update says 'Your device is up to date. Last checked: Today, 10:03'.
It is, in fact, lying because it actually did not check it.
If it had checked it, it would have found three available updates, which were found by my VBScript and Windows Update MiniTool.

From now on, if it always says 'Your device is up to date', can we assume that the updates are always not required to keep Windows running smoothly?

dalchina said:

to impose no restrictions on Windows updates being applied

People opposing compulsory updates do want to impose restrictions.

dalchina said:

if the pending updates were deemed not 'required to keep Windows running smoothly' then your device is up to date.

I don't think so. My device is not up to date whether those updates are required to keep Windows running smoothly or not.

Windows Update MiniTool found 'Update Rollups', 'Security Updates', and 'Critical Updates'.
Windows Update said 'Your device is up to date. Last checked: 28/4/2017, 11:57', and I did not manually check for updates on that day.
Does it go to show that Windows Update will always say 'Your device is up to date' as long as metered connections are used?