This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Windows Update to automatically download updates over metered connections in Windows 11.
By default, Windows Update in Windows 11 will automatically download and install updates, except on metered connections where extra charges may apply. In that case, Windows Update will automatically download only those updates requited to keep Windows running smoothly.
If wanted, you are able to allow Windows Update to automatically download updates over metered connections.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Settings
- Option Two: Turn On or Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using REG file
- Option Three: Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Four: Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using REG file
1 Open Settings (Win+I).
2 Click/tap on Windows Update on the left side, and click/tap on Advanced options on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Turn On or Off (default) Download updates over metered connections for what you want. (see screenshot below)
4 You can now close Settings if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.
2 Turn On Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_ON_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]
"AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork"=dword:000000013 Turn Off Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_OFF_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]
"AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork"=dword:000000004 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections in Local Group Policy Editor
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
If you enable or disable the policy in this option, it will override Option One and Option Two above.
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Four below to configure this same policy.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience
3 In the right pane of Manage end user experience in Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Allow updates to be downloaded automatically over metered connections policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable), step 6 (disable), or step 7 (not configured) below for what you would like to do.
5. To Always Enable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
6. To Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Select (dot) Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
7. To Set this Policy to Default of Not Configured
This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)
8 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.
Enable or Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections using REG file
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
If you enable or disable the policy in this option, it will override Option One and Option Two above.
1 Do step 2 (enabled), step 3 (disabled), or step 4 (not configured) below for what you would like to do.
2. To Always Enable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_Enable_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork"=dword:00000001 3. To Disable Automatically Download Updates over Metered Connections
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Disable_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork"=dword:00000000 4. To Set this Policy to Default of Not Configured
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Default_user_choice_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"AllowAutoWindowsUpdateDownloadOverMeteredNetwork"=-5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Attachments
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Windows_Update.jpg -
Turn_OFF_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
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Turn_ON_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
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Always_Enable_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
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Default_user_choice_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
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Disable_download_updates_over_metered_connections.reg
Last edited:
