How to Turn Metered connection On or Off with Cellular Connection in Windows 11

How 🪟 Windows 11 Handles Metered Connections

Windows 11 saves your data when it knows your connection is metered by pausing large updates and reducing background activity from apps. This helps prevent you from using up your data allowance too quickly, ensuring you don’t face unexpected charges.

• Windows Updates: Big updates might not download by themselves. You’ll usually see a message and can choose to download them later when you’re on 📶 Wi-Fi or have extra data.
• App Behavior: Some apps will use less data. They might sync less often, use lower quality for videos, or stop using data in the background.
• Background Data: Apps that use data when you’re not actively using them might be stopped. This stops hidden data use.

Remember, not all apps will respect this setting. Some might keep using data as normal, so it’s wise to check your apps’ individual data usage settings, especially if your data plan is tight.

Setting Your Cellular Connection as Metered

Setting your cellular connection as metered in Windows 11 is an effective way to manage your data usage. Open your Settings, go to ‘Network & internet,’ and then choose the option to mark your connection as metered to start saving data.

1. ⚙️ Open Settings: Click the ⊞ Start button, type “Settings,” and select ⚙️ the Settings app. Or, press the Windows key + I keys on your keyboard.
2. Go to Network & internet: In ⚙️ the Settings window, click on “Network & internet” in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Cellular: Find and click on the “Cellular” option.
   Tip: If you don’t see “Cellular,” your computer doesn’t have this feature, and this guide won’t apply.
4. Find Metered Connection: Under Cellular settings, look for “Metered connection.” For cellular connections, this is usually “On” or “Set data usage limit.”
5. Adjust as Needed: You’ll likely see a switch or a dropdown menu.

    

   • If the switch is “On,” your connection is metered. Windows will manage data use.
   • You might see “Set data limit.” Clicking this lets you enter your data limit and when your billing cycle ends. Windows will warn you when you get close to your limit.
   • If you need to turn this off for a specific reason (not usually recommended for limited plans), you might be able to switch it to “Off.”

What Happens When You Turn Metered Connection On or Off?

Turning the metered connection on in Windows 11 tells your computer to save data by pausing updates and limiting background apps. When it’s off, Windows assumes you have unlimited data and will download updates and run apps without these restrictions.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/cellular-settings-in-windows-905568ff-7f31-3013-efc7-3f396ac92cd7#windowsversion=windows_11

Summary

Setting your connection as metered in Windows 11 helps your computer use less data, which is great for cellular plans to avoid extra charges and prevent unexpected data usage.