Windows 10: Allow Automatic Updates over Metered Connections in Windows 10

Since the Creators Update the mysterious wording in Windows Update has puzzled many, and Microsoft hasn't exactly been forthcoming. Just what updates are "required to keep Windows running smoothly"?





It doesn't help that the behaviour of updates over metered connections was broken with the launch of Anniversary Updates (1607) and has never really worked properly since.

Set Wireless Network as Metered or Non-Metered in Windows 10 (post #51)

In 1607 and then in 1703, with metered connections turned on cumulative updates ignore the 'metered' state and try to download anyway, hanging at 2% until you turn off metering. You never got shown the 'Download' button as you should (but you did get asked when the only update was a Defender definitions update).

Fall Creators Update 1709 seems to have resolved both those issues. Checking for updates over metered connections now appears to work as intended, and it is becoming clear which updates are "required to keep Windows running smoothly". Apparently a Flash security update is too urgent to delay, while a cumulative update can wait for an unmetered connection.



Note I think it's worth noting that my screenshot of the Flash update that downloaded over a metered connection while the CU didn't is the default behaviour before changing any settings, especially not the box to allow updates over metered connections.

This was tested on a fresh upgrade of 1703 to 1709, metering was turned on and I went straight to checking for updates without touching any other setting or policy.

ie. this is what Microsoft mean by saying they will download updates over a metered connection that are "required to keep Windows running smoothly". Presumably the policy box you can tick will allow all other updates too, not just the ones Microsoft deem as "required...".





:)

 

DATA USES

By default, Windows 10 updates are automatic. Anyway,

Get more control over the updates:

Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Installation Problem - AskVG

Set ethernet as metered that stops automatic downloading:

Set Ethernet connection as Metered
in Windows 10-To avoid unwanted download of windows updates

 

Windows updates

By default, Windows 10 updates are automatic. Anyway,

Get more control over the updates:

Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Installation Problem - AskVG

Set ethernet as metered that stops automatic downloading:

Set Ethernet connection as Metered
in Windows 10-To avoid unwanted download of windows updates

 

You said: "Click/tap on Some settings are managed by your organization message on Windows Update." This doesn't work for me (1709 Jan 2018 updates). I unchecked the box and restored any changes in group policy to "not configured", rebooted, and checked for updates. The box remains unchecked but the red "some settings..." dialog remains.

 

Hello Ron, *Smile

What build do you currently have installed?

Do you have a View configured update policies link under the Some settings are managed by your organization text at the top of the Windows Update page to see what it shows?

*Arrow View Configured Update Policies in Windows 10 Windows Update Activation Tutorials

 

I'm fairly certain that the first paragraph of this tutorial has a typo, i.e. "those updates requited to keep Windows running smoothly" should perhaps be "those updates required to keep Windows running smoothly".

But what do I know? *Smile

 

Thank you Rick. Typo corrected. *Smile

 

If you have Pro version 1709 there is* a bug that, if you ticked the policy box in Advanced options for 'download updates, even over metered connections' the Some settings are managed by your organization text would remain, even if you unticked it again.

See my post #5 in that thread for how to remove it.

* there certainly was, I haven't checked recently to see if it's been fixed. Strangely, this bug never affected Home.

Edit: The bug appears to have been fixed some time before build number 16299.248

 

Hi Shawn @Brink

I'm running Windows 10 Home Edition, and for some reason, it won't allow me to check the box "Enabling this policy will automatically download updates, even over metered data connections (charges may apply)" and I'm not sure why?

Can you please help.

Thanks mate.

Regards, Neil *Smile

 

When 1709 was first released (16299.15) you could tick that box in both Home and Pro. As I described, earlier there was a bug in Pro that left the red 'some settings are managed by your organisation' message even after you unticked that box. That has been fixed now, I'm not sure which build fixed it but it is fixed in 16299.248. From the last post on page 2 here it appears that this bug was still being reported as present in 16299.214.

It always struck me as odd that this was the one and only Policy that could be set in Home, considering that for all other policies gpedit was not available in Home. This may be a deliberate change, then again it may be an unintended side effect of the 'fix' for Pro.

Either way, I can confirm that in the latest build of Home, attempting to tick that box briefly shows a tick but it is immediately removed again.


Edit: as the vast majority of automatic downloads are windows updates anyway, I can't see any real advantage for ticking that Policy over just turning off metering.

 

Hello @Neil,

I agree with Bree that you could just turn off metering.

However, have you already tried Option Two to set it instead?

If so and it doesn't stay set still, then you could try Option Four to set it via policy.

 

Thank you Bree for the explanation. Yes that was what was happening, I was ticking the box and it briefly showed a tick, but it was immediately removed again. I'm glad you've confirmed that this is normal.

I've downloaded @Brink Option 4 Reg file and will use it.

Kind Regards, Neil *Smile

 

Thanks Shawn. I'll run your Option 4 Reg file instead. Kind Regards, Neil *Smile