How to Configure Metered Connections in Windows 10

Setting a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection as metered in Windows 10 helps you control data usage, pause automatic updates, and reduce background data consumption. This guide walks you through the steps for both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections, explains what metered mode actually does, and covers common pitfalls and troubleshooting.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with administrator privileges (you can change settings with a standard account, but some options may be grayed out).
• An active network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
• If you’re setting a mobile hotspot as metered, make sure the hotspot is already connected.

Step-by-Step

For Wi-Fi Networks

1. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and select Settings (the gear icon).
2. In the Settings window, click Network & Internet.
3. From the left sidebar, select Wi-Fi.
4. Click Manage known networks (you may need to scroll down).
5. In the list of networks, click the network you want to set as metered.
6. Click Properties.
7. Under Metered connection, toggle the switch to On. The network is now metered.

For Ethernet Connections

Ethernet connections are not metered by default, but you can change that:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet.
2. Click on the connected network (it will show as the active connection).
3. Under Metered connection, toggle the switch to On.

What Metered Mode Does

• Windows Update will only download priority updates (critical security fixes) and will pause automatic driver updates.
• Apps from the Microsoft Store may not download automatically, and some background tasks are limited.
• OneDrive and other sync apps may pause or reduce background syncing.
• Some peer-to-peer update sharing is disabled.

Common Mistakes

• Setting the wrong network: Make sure you select the correct network name (SSID) from the list. If you have multiple saved networks, you might accidentally set the wrong one.
• Expecting it to block all updates: Metered mode does not stop all updates. Critical security patches will still download and install, which is intentional to keep your system safe.
• Forgetting to turn it off: If you later get an unlimited data plan, you may want to turn metered mode off to allow full updates and background activity. Many users forget and wonder why apps aren’t updating.
• Assuming it applies to all networks: Metered setting is per network. You must set it for each Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection you want to limit.

Tips

• For a mobile hotspot, you can also set it as metered by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and enabling Metered connection (this option appears when the hotspot is active).
• If you’re on a limited data plan, also consider disabling background apps manually: Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
• You can check your data usage by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage. This shows a breakdown per app and helps you see what consumes the most.
• If you’re using a metered connection and want to force a Windows Update, you can go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates manually. It will still download critical updates.

Troubleshooting

Metered option is grayed out or missing: This can happen if you’re using a VPN or a virtual adapter. Disconnect the VPN and try again. Also, some Ethernet adapters (like certain USB adapters) may not support the metered setting; check if you’re using the built-in Ethernet port.

Windows still downloads updates on a metered connection: As mentioned, critical updates will still download. If you see non-critical updates downloading, it may be because the metered setting was not applied correctly. Double-check that the toggle is on for the correct network and restart your PC.

Apps still use data in the background: Metered mode is a hint to apps, not a hard block. Some apps may ignore it. To force-strictly limit background data, you can set the connection as metered and also disable background apps in Privacy settings.

Metered option disappears after reconnecting: This can happen if you forget the network and reconnect. The metered setting is saved per network, but if you delete the network profile, the setting is lost. Re-add the network and set metered again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does metered connection affect online gaming?

Metered mode does not limit your bandwidth or speed. It only tells Windows to reduce background data usage. Online gaming will work normally, though you may experience higher latency if other background tasks are still running.

Can I set a metered connection for a specific app only?

No, metered is a network-level setting. To limit a specific app, use Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage > Background data and toggle off the apps you don’t want running in the background.

Will metered mode stop Windows Defender updates?

No, security intelligence updates for Windows Defender are considered critical and will still download. This is important for your system’s security.

How do I turn off metered mode?

Simply go back to the network’s properties and toggle the metered switch to Off. The change takes effect immediately.

Does metered mode work on a virtual private network (VPN)?

Metered mode is applied to the underlying physical network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), not the VPN adapter. If you want to limit data on a VPN connection, you need to set metered on the physical connection it uses.

Can I schedule metered mode to turn on/off automatically?

There is no built-in scheduler in Windows 10 for metered connections. You would need to manually toggle it or use third-party scripts (like PowerShell) to automate it, but that’s beyond standard settings.

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