Mastering Windows 10’s Metered Connection: A Guide

Hey there! Today, I’m going to show you the ins and outs of using a metered connection in Windows 10. It may sound a bit fancy, but don’t worry – I’m here to demystify it and make it super simple for you. So, let’s dive in!

First things first, what exactly is a metered connection? Well, think of it as a way to keep track of your data usage on certain types of networks, like mobile hotspots or tethered devices. By setting your connection as metered, you give Windows 10 a heads up that it should be more conservative with your data, helping you avoid those unpleasant surprises on your bill.

Now, here comes the fun part – how do you set up a metered connection? Easy peasy, I promise.

If you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network on your Windows 10 device, here’s what you do:

1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar (that’s the bar at the bottom of your screen).
2. Find the network you’re connected to and right-click on it.
3. Select “Properties” from the menu that pops up.
4. Scroll down until you see the “Metered connection” option.
5. Flip the switch to turn it on. Voila! Your connection is now set as metered.

Pretty straightforward, right? But what about if you’re using a mobile broadband or Ethernet connection? Not to worry – I’ve got you covered.

For mobile broadband or Ethernet connections, here’s what you do:

1. Open the Start menu and go to the “Settings” app (looks like a gear).
2. Click on “Network & Internet.”
3. In the left sidebar, select “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet,” depending on your connection.
4. Click on the network you’re using.
5. Scroll down until you see the “Set as metered connection” option.
6. Switch it on, and just like that, your connection is officially metered!

Now that you’ve mastered the art of setting up a metered connection, let me tell you the perks. By having a metered connection, Windows 10 is able to save your precious data by limiting things like automatic updates and background activities. It’s like having a personal data protector, looking out for your wallet.

But hey, I get it. Sometimes you might want to do a manual update or some heavy downloading even when you’re on a metered connection. No worries! You can override the limitations and do those things whenever necessary. Just keep in mind that it might gobble up some of your data, so use those powers wisely.

There you have it, my friend. Now you know the secret to using a metered connection in Windows 10. It’s a nifty little feature that helps you stay in control of your data usage and keeps your wallet happy. So go ahead and give it a whirl – your future self will thank you!

Let me tell you, Windows 10 sure does use a ton of bandwidth. It’s like a ravenous beast that devours your precious download and upload speeds. Luckily, there’s a way to tame it, or at least control how much bandwidth Windows 10 consumes. By setting up your connection as a metered connection, you can reclaim some of your speed.

Allow me to show you how and why you might want to use the metered connection settings below.

Why should I use a metered connection?

As I mentioned before, Windows 10 gobbles up a massive amount of bandwidth. This is mainly due to the constant background uploading and downloading it does, all without asking for your permission. It automatically downloads operating system updates, app updates, and even live tile updates. It even shares updates with other PCs over the Internet through peer-to-peer uploading.

By setting your connection as metered, you can put a stop to much of this bandwidth hogging. This allows you to save a significant portion of your bandwidth for your own tasks on your PC. Of course, there are some things that will still automatically download even on a metered connection. Microsoft has made it clear that critical security updates will still download automatically over a metered connection. And you definitely don’t want to skip those, as they are crucial for keeping your system safe.

But apart from that, marking your connection as metered can free up a lot of bandwidth. Sure, you’ll have to manually download updates for your system and apps, but you get to do it on your own schedule rather than Windows 10’s. Plus, you won’t have something constantly running in the background without your knowledge.

When is a good time to use the metered connection setting?

Personally, I always keep the metered connection setting on. This is because I want more control over when updates happen on my system. However, even if you don’t care about that, there are specific scenarios where you should definitely turn it on.

If you have a slower Internet connection (like dial-up, satellite, or certain DSL packages) and/or a data cap, it’s a smart move to set your connection as metered. You already have a slow connection, and you don’t want Windows 10 slowing it down even more. And if you have a data cap, you definitely don’t want your system eating up a significant chunk of it.

If you’re using your Windows 10 laptop or computer with your smartphone or a dedicated mobile hotspot, it’s another situation where marking your connection as metered is beneficial. Many of these devices have data caps and slower connections, so you don’t want Windows 10 devouring all that. Even if you have an unlimited plan with your smartphone carrier, most of them still limit hotspot connections to around 10GB, so you’ll still want to set your connection as metered in this case.

Setting up your Wi-Fi and Ethernet connection as metered

Setting up the metered connection over Wi-Fi is a breeze. First, click on the Start menu and choose the Settings gear icon. Then, go to Network & Internet and select the Wi-Fi tab in the left navigation pane.

To find out more about your current Wi-Fi connection, just click on the Wi-Fi network you’re using. You’ll be taken to a page with all the details. This is also where you can choose to set your network as a metered connection. If it’s not already on, just click the slider to turn it on.

Remember, whenever you connect to a new Wi-Fi network, you’ll have to do this. Windows 10 won’t remember it for all networks, just individual ones. It’s not a universal setting, which is a shame.

When it comes to Ethernet, activating it works the same way. Instead of choosing the Wi-Fi tab, you’ll select Ethernet. Once you click on the Ethernet connection, you’ll be directed to a page with information about that specific Ethernet connection.

You can also turn on the metered connection here. Simply click on the slider to enable it.

This works just like Wi-Fi, but it only affects this particular Ethernet connection. If you connect to a different one, you’ll need to follow the process again to enable it.

Keep in mind that if you don’t see the option to meter your Ethernet connection, it’s likely because you don’t have the Creators Update yet. Microsoft introduced this feature with the Creators Update, so you’ll need to download that first in order to meter your Ethernet connection.

Closing

Even if you have a fast Internet connection, setting it as metered is a great way to have more control over when updates happen, whether it’s system updates or app updates. By following the steps above, you’ll be able to prevent Windows 10 from automatically downloading and uploading as much, giving you more bandwidth to use for yourself.