Windows 10: metered updates

While travelling it is very annoying to have updates running at inconvenient times. I have switched my laptop to metered updates, but this only works apparently for each specific wifi connection.

Apparently there isn't a simple way of turning on metered updates for all connections.. This is a real pain for travellers. Have to remember to turn on metering for every time I connect to a new wifi network. Recently when attending a new customer for a presentation we had to wait 10 minutes while Microsoft chose to run updates, embarrassing and not really professional.

I find it somewhat arrogant that Microsoft wants to dictate when updates are downloaded and processed.

Has anyone found a simple way of giving control back to the user?

:)

 

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 stop windows from hijacking computer

You can mark your connection as metered until you are ready to install the updates then unmark it. Windows Update will not download updates on a metered connection

 

Hi there robmar0se

I think this may be of interest to you
Windows Update Automatic Updates - Enable or Disable in Windows 10

Also I think if you turn your batterysaver on, it disables updates from downloading and installing I think. This could be helpful as it saves your battery while travelling too.

 

Thank you..........

I will give this a whirl. As the batterysaver function default, when switched on, becomes effective at 20%, does this make any difference?

Its still annoying that we can't control updates at a time that suits the user - eg we get free downloads between midnight and 8am - not sure that Microsoft reads these forums, but in my mind this idea is as bad as some of the crazy ideas they installed in Vista, Win 8 which they had to ultimately bin.

 

Yes, you are right for the battery saver, but you can adjust it so that it turns it self on when you're battery is at 100% or less, via battery saver settings. Effectively meaning if you don't connect your computer to an outlet, you won't receive updates.

This also depends I guess how often you install updates, because if you leave it automatically like I do, then its usually only one or two updates per week. So if you keep updates switched off for a while, you might have to install 10 or 20 updates later. Something to think about *Tongue.

 

You can use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to set the default WLAN (WIFI) setting for "Network Cost". Making it so that by default, all WIFI connections are considered "Metered".
Open the GPMC (just start menu, search "group policy", "edit group policy") and under Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Network \ WLAN Service \ WLAN Media Cost.
Open "Set Cost" and switch it to "Enabled" and in the Drop Down menu, pick "Fixed". Unrestricted means non-metered, Fixed means metered.

You can check out this post for more information: Metered Connections

 

Sounds like a lot of users are facing the same problem. Looks like Microsoft is planning to fix this sometime in the future...

Windows 10 users may soon be able to choose when to install updates with active hours

 

This is very interesting, I had a look, and of course GP is only available in Pro versions. I also tried the netsh command which I have used for other aspects. However I couldn't fathom how to set the defaults as suggested above under Group Policy. Any advice please - I have approx 40 wifi profiles set up!!

Thank you

 

Thanks again, regret your link didn't work, but its good to know that others are facing the same problem.

 

Yea, sorry about that. May have been a rumor that isn't official. Basically it talked about a possible update coming soon that will change Windows Update with options called "Active Hours".

Meaning a user could specify a time period when to not install updates (e.g. meeting), thus having no interruptions and installing the updates when the computer enters out of this time period. Although this isn't confirmed and could have been taken off because it was a rumor.

EDIT: Now it doesn't look like a rumor since Brink has made a tutorial for it. Looks like its only available for Insiders at the moment, but should be released soon.

Windows Update - How to change active hours

 

Wow I'm so noob the forums doesn't even let me send a PM yet so I will just write you here. *Cool
The command line for changing settings are:

• netsh wlan show profiles
• netsh wlan set profileparameter name=“ProfileName” cost=unrestricted
• netsh wlan set profileparameter name=“ProfileName” cost=fixed
• netsh wlan show all
• netsh wlan show all > c:\output.txt (this sends it to your C drive in a text file)
• netsh wlan show profile name=“ProfileName” (view a single profiles setting)
• ex: netsh wlan set profileparameter name="TenForums" cost=fixed

Just open Command prompt as Admin (Windows Key+X, then A) and copy paste those commands.
Use the first command to figure out what your WIFI/profile name is called and replace ProfileName with it. Unrestricted Cost disables metered connection, Fixed turns it on. "Netsh wlan Show All Command" will display all WIFI profiles and their current settings and "cost" to know if they are metered or not. You can use the 2nd command to instead Output it to a txt file to easily view in Notepad.

Hope this helps and that it works on non Pro version of windows! If it does, let me know if u need any more help. For instance, to set up a Bat file to easily toggle it on and off with a click of a button/shortcut or whatever u have planned. <3 Bat files