Windows 10: How to make Microsoft Defender automatically update definitions on a metered connection?

I have set my connection to metered in Windows update settings and it should only be for the Windows updates. But it also turns off daily automatic virus definition updates, which I don't want it to do.


There used to be a setting in the [COLOR=rgba0, 0, 0, 1]Local Group Policy Editor by the name of [/COLOR][COLOR=rgba193, 187, 179, 1]"[/COLOR]Allows Microsoft Defender to update and communicate over a metered connection", but I don't see that setting anymore. Why was such an important setting removed?


I'm not a computer geek so not looking for any command line or task scheduler workarounds.

:)

 

How to make Windows Defender automatically update definitions on Metered Connection

Hi, is there any way for Windows Defender to automatically update its definitions on a metered connection?

 

Windows 10 Creators Update Might Force Updates Even on Metered Connections

A wording change in the latest build of the upcoming Creators Update for Windows 10 has users on metered connections worried. In previous Microsoft Insider's builds of the Creators Update, the section of the license agreement pertaining to automatic updates said "updates will be downloaded and installed automatically, except over metered connections (where charges may apply)."

In this latest build, the wording has been changed to a more worrisome version implying updating may still happen for important updates: "We'll automatically download and install updates, except on metered connections (where charges may apply). In that case, we'll automatically download only those updates required to keep Windows running smoothly."





Obviously, this implies critical updates and such may still be pulled from a metered connection without prior user consent. Considering many "critical updates" from Microsoft today come in the form of "Patch Tuesday" rollups often nearing a gig, this could get expensive on a metered connection where users pay by the gigabyte or worse.

Source: HotHardware

 

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...".