In the tenth modification of Windows, there is a rather interesting possibility of using the so-called limited connection of Windows 10, which for some reason most users ignore, considering its activation absolutely unnecessary and not understanding what the advantage of setting restrictions may be. Let's try to figure out what it is, how to activate it and why it is sometimes useful to use them.
What is a metered connection in Windows 10?
First, let's define the term itself. Some users are somewhat biased towards this feature, believing that using a metered Windows 10 connection can cause the Internet speed to drop significantly or installed programs that may require mandatory Internet access during operation will not work correctly. This is an absolute fallacy!
The limit is set on the use of traffic for having a connection on stationary computer terminals or laptops, and for mobile networks and devices it is active by default (for example, when you connect to the Internet via a smartphone modem or a mobile operator service). Roughly speaking, activating a metered connection in Windows 10 on desktop computers and laptops can save traffic and not go beyond the amount of data reception / transmission that is provided to you by your provider. This is especially clear in cases where you do not have unlimited Internet, but all additional gigabytes that go beyond the contract must be paid separately.
What is the advantage of setting traffic limits?
The most important advantage when activating this option in Windows 10 64 bit or x86 is that this technique can ensure that even updates to the system or built-in protection components (Windows Defender) will not be automatically downloaded and installed. But without this, it is impossible to disable the same "Update Center" in the tenth modification of the system after receiving recent (forced updates and upgrades) by any other methods. Packages are installed automatically, regardless of your desire (and sometimes even at the most inopportune time). Obviously, you can set a limit and get rid of the annoying installation of everything you don't need.
How to set a metered connection in Windows 10?
This option is activated insection of networks, which is called up through the options menu. Since this type of restriction works mainly with Wi-Fi-based wireless networks (although you can set a limit for Ethernet if you wish), you need to go to the Wi-Fi item in the menu on the left.
Here, first click on the name of your connection, and then move the switch to the right in the metered connection block, setting it to on.
If there are other available networks that you use at home, the limits are activated in the same way.
An easier way to access the activation parameters is to call the menu of available connections in the system tray by clicking on the wireless connection icon, after which you need to click on the "Properties" hyperlink. Next, the same section will open.
Basic settings
To set the required options, click on the button to set the limit, then in the window with the presented parameters, select the type of limit, units of measure and traffic limit.
Most importantly, don't forget to set the start date so that the system knows from what time to start applying the restriction for the custom network.
For morelimit the use of traffic by system services and even the “Store”, activate the permanent limit item (“Always”) a little lower. This will limit background data transfer (as the name of the parameter block itself implies).
By and large, one could describe setting limits for Ethernet-based connections, which is done through rather complex registry manipulations and changing the owner and permissions for the DefaultMediaCost directory. However, at the moment it is unlikely that someone else has not installed the Creators Update (and this method only works for systems that have not received such an update), therefore, in all updated modifications, it is easiest to use the same network and Internet section in options menu, but instead of the Wi-Fi menu, use the Ethernet section and set the required restrictions in the same way.
Deactivate restrictions
As for how to disable a metered connection in Windows 10, you probably don't need to be seven spans in your forehead to guess that deactivation is done by performing the reverse steps. And in the case of mobile devices, when a limited connection is established automatically, you can simply move the fader to the inactive position, after which all limits will be reset. The most interesting thing is that when the limit itself is deactivated, the previously set options do not need to be reset.
