Windows 10: 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?

:)

 

Automatic forced MS updates

Some of us are screamers and others are searchers.

How, When, and Why to Set a Connection as Metered on Windows 10

How to set metered connections and disable Windows 10 Update Delivery Optimization

Enable Metered Connection to Delay Windows 10 Updates

Etc.

 

How to Disable Automatic Update of Windows 10

If Win10 were installed & working properly, Windows should have detected the tethered connection as a Metered Connection - in which case no updates would have been downloaded or installed. That being said, if Windows Update was
already in the process of downloading or installing an update when daughter switched to the tethered (mobile wireless) connection, the process would not be interrupted.

If daughter's internet connection is a true WiFi (wireless) connection, she should be able to configure it as a metered connection. See

http://lifehacker.com/enable-metered-connection-to-delay-windows-10-updates-1723316525

PS: How old is daughter?

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How to Change Automatic Maintenance Settings in Windows 10

Change Automatic Maintenance Settings in Windows 10

How to Prevent Windows 10 From Automatically Downloading Updates

How to Prevent Windows 10 From Automatically Downloading Updates

 

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 )

 

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.



You will however have to manually update Defender to keep it up to date, either through windows update or its own 'Update' tab.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

My post #5 should have mentioned the same thing, I have three computers running both ethernet and wifi from the one DSL router. How would metered connection or DU "add up" all three computers' monthly usage?

 

Setting your connection to metered does not mean anything gets added up. "Metered" does not mean Windows operates a meter. "Metered" means you have somebody else operating a meter on you [your ISP].

Setting your connection to metered
1 stops Windows update checks happening automatically
2 stops Windows update automatically downloading updates if you manually run Windows update
3 for local user accounts only, stops "Modern" app updates being downloaded automatically.

There is further guidance in Manage data usage and Windows updates in Windows 10 [MSA forum WiKi].

Denis