Windows 10: Turn On or Off Download Updates over Metered Connections in Windows 10

How to: Turn On or Off Download Updates over Metered Connections in Windows 10

How to Enable or Disable Allow Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Windows 10


By default, Windows Update in Windows 10 will automatically download and install updates, except on metered connections where extra charges may apply. In that case, Windows Update will automatically download only those updates requited to keep Windows running smoothly.

If wanted, you are able to allow Windows Update to automatically download updates over metered connections.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Windows Update to automatically download updates over metered connections in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: Turn On or Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Settings
• Option Two: Turn On or Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using a REG file
• Option Three: Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Local Group Policy Editor
• Option Four: Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using a REG file

OPTION ONE [/i] Turn On or Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Settings
1. Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & Security icon.

2. Click/tap on Advanced options on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3. Turn on or off (default) Download updates over metered connections (extra charge may apply) for what you want under Update options. (see screenshot below)



4. You can now close Settings if you like.





OPTION TWO [/i] Turn On or Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using a REG file
*note You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings

AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork DWORD

0 = Off (default)
1 = On
1. Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.


2. To Turn On Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Turn_ON_AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork.reg

Download

3. To Turn Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
*note This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Turn_OFF_AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork.reg

Download
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.





OPTION THREE [/i] Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Local Group Policy Editor
*note You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.

If you enable or disable with this option, it will override Option One and Option Two above.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Four below to configure this same policy.
1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

2. In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
*Arrow Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update




3. In the right pane of Windows Update in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow updates to be downloaded automatically over metered connections policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. Do step 5 (enable), step 6 (disable), or step 7 (not configured) below for what you would like to do.


5. To Enable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)

6. To Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)

7. To Set this Policy to Default of Not Configured
*note This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)





8. When finished, close the Local Group Policy Editor.

9. When finished, you can close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.





OPTION FOUR [/i] Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using a REG file
*note You must be signed in as an administrator to do this option.

If you enable or disable with this option, it will override Option One and Option Two above.

The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD in the registry key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork DWORD

<delete> = Not Configured (default)
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
1. Do step 2 (enabled), step 3 (disabled), or step 4 (not configured) below for what you would like to do.


2. To Enable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Always_Enable_AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork.reg

Download

3. To Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Disable_AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork.reg

Download

4. To Set this Policy to Default of Not Configured
*note This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Not_Configured_AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork.reg

Download
5. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8. If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.

That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Check for and Install Windows Updates in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10
• How to Set Wireless Network as Metered or Non-Metered Connection in Windows 10
• How to Set Ethernet Connection as Metered or Non-Metered in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off Download Device Software over Metered Connection in Windows 10
• How to Enable or Disable Including Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10
• How to Limit Bandwidth to Download and Upload Windows and App Updates in Windows 10
• How to See OS and Store Update Network Bandwidth Usage in Windows 10 Activity Monitor

:)

 

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

 

How do I download updates for Windows 10 through a metered connection?

Hi Gary,

Thanks for posting your query on Microsoft community.

As per your query, I like to inform you to that; you cannot download Windows updates on metered connection. To download the updates, you need to turn off the metered connection then check for the updates.



I suggest you turn off the metered connection then check for the updates.



To turn off the metered connection, follow the below path:

Open Settings > Network & Internet
> Wi-Fi, connect to the metered connection, maybe a Wi-Fi hotspot you’re tethering from your mobile, then click Advanced options, and toggle Set as metered connection to Off.



For more information about metered connection, refer to the below link:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/metered-internet-connections-frequently-asked-questions

Note: Applies to Windows 10 as well



To download the updates, follow the below steps:

• 
  Type setting in the search area in the taskbar and select
  Settings.
  
• 
  Click on Update and Security.
  
• 
  Click on Check for Updates.
  

Hope it helps, reply to us with the status of your issue. We will be happy to assist you.

 

Windows 10 update being enabled.

Try setting your connection to metered and it shouldnt automatically download updates

To change this option for a wired Ethernet network, open the Settings app, head to Network & Internet > Ethernet, and click the name of your Ethernet connection. Enable the “Set as metered connection” option on the properties page.

Source

 

Metered connections in Windows 10

Hi Roger,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Let me guide you how to turn on metered connection on Windows 10.

To turn on the metered connection follow the below steps:

• 
  Connect to the network that you want to turn on the metered connection.
  
• 
  Click on the network icon on the system tray and click on
  Network settings.
  
• 
  Click on Wi-Fi on the left pane and click on
  Advanced option on the right side.
  
• Now you can turn on the metered connection.

Hope this helps. Post us in case if you have any further issues with Windows, we will be glad to help you further.

 

DOWNLOAD OVER METERED CONNECTIONS

Hi Regina,

The metered connection on your Windows 10 computer will limit the data usage to reduce its consumption. However, this option may affect some applications on your device and some updates won’t be installed automatically. To manage this option, we suggest
that you follow the steps provided in this article regarding metered
connections in Windows 10. Once you’re on the page, you may proceed with the steps, and then complete the process. After completing the steps, you may check if the issue persists.

Keep us updated about your concern for additional assistance.