Use "Metered connection" to keep big updates off a network — via Microsoft Support
Hidden settinglow riskWindows 11Windows 10
Marking a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as metered makes Windows Update download only priority updates on it, and stops other updates installing automatically. Handy on a phone hotspot or capped connection; not a way to skip security fixes forever.
Takes effect right away
How to do it
- Wi-Fi: Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → your network's properties → turn on Metered connection.
- Ethernet: Settings → Network & internet → Ethernet → turn on Metered connection.
- Make sure Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Download updates over metered connections is off.
Priority (critical) updates still download. The setting is per network, so your home Wi-Fi stays unmetered.
Sources
- Metered connections in Windows — by Microsoft Support
- Source reviewed
- 2026-11-02
- Link checked
- Not yet
- Tested hands-on
- Not by Oddbyte.Me
Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every Windows build, so keep the undo handy.