If you regularly connect your Windows 11 laptop to a mobile hotspot or use a limited data plan, background downloads can quickly consume your monthly data allowance. Windows 11 loves to download massive multi-gigabyte feature updates, app updates from the Microsoft Store, and OneDrive syncs completely silently in the background.
To prevent Windows from draining your data allowance without your permission, you must explicitly tell the operating system that your current Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection has a data limit. This is done by configuring a Metered Connection.
In this guide, you will learn how to enable a metered connection in Windows 11 and how to set a specific data limit to track your usage.
What Happens When You Enable a Metered Connection?
When you mark a network as “metered,” Windows 11 immediately changes its background behaviour to conserve bandwidth. Specifically, it will:
- Pause Windows Updates: Large feature updates and cumulative updates will no longer download automatically. You must manually click the “Download” button to install them. (Critical security patches may still download).
- Pause Microsoft Store App Updates: Apps will not automatically update in the background.
- Pause Peer-to-Peer Updates: Windows will stop uploading update files to other PCs on the internet to save bandwidth.
- Reduce App Data Usage: Certain apps, like the built-in Mail and Calendar apps, may stop syncing automatically or download lower-quality images.
- Pause Cloud Syncing: OneDrive may pause syncing large files until you connect to an unmetered network.
Step 1: How to Set a Wi-Fi Network as Metered
You can configure metered connections for specific Wi-Fi networks. For example, you can set your mobile hotspot to “metered” while leaving your home broadband as “unmetered.”
- Ensure you are currently connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to restrict (e.g., your smartphone’s hotspot).
- Click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon.
- In the left-hand menu, select Network & internet.
- Click on Wi-Fi.
- Click on the name of the Wi-Fi network you are currently connected to (the one listed under “Properties”).
- Scroll down the list of properties until you find the Metered connection section.
- Toggle the switch to the On position.
Windows will remember this setting for this specific network forever. Every time you connect to this exact hotspot in the future, it will automatically apply the metered restrictions.
Step 2: How to Set an Ethernet Connection as Metered
If your desktop PC is plugged into a cellular 4G/5G router via an Ethernet cable, Windows will assume it is an unlimited home connection by default. You must manually restrict it.
- Open the Settings app and navigate to Network & internet.
- Click on Ethernet.
- Scroll down to the Metered connection section.
- Toggle the switch to the On position.
Step 3: How to Set a Data Limit
Setting a connection as metered prevents automatic downloads, but it does not stop you from manually watching a 4K YouTube video and draining your data plan. To actively track your data usage against your monthly cap, you should configure a Data Limit.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
- Under the “More settings” section, click on Data usage.
- In the top right corner, use the dropdown menu to select your restricted network (e.g., your Wi-Fi hotspot).
- Click the Enter limit button.
- A dialog box will appear. Here, you can configure your billing cycle and limit:
- Limit type: Select “Monthly” if your data resets on a specific date, or “One time” for a prepaid data pass.
- Reset date: Enter the day of the month your data allowance refreshes.
- Data limit: Enter your exact data cap (e.g., 10 GB or 500 MB).
- Click Save.
Windows 11 will now track all incoming and outgoing data on this specific network. If you approach your designated limit, Windows will display a prominent warning notification, giving you time to disconnect before incurring expensive excess data charges from your provider.