Turn On or Off Metered Internet Connections for Devices in Windows 8

This tutorial will help you to turn on or Off Metered Internet Connections for Devices in Windows 8.

Metered and unlimited internet connections

Most of the 3G or 4G mobile broadband connections have usage limits. Windows 8 has its own usage counter to keep record of how much data the user has used through over the current billing cycle. In Windows 8 some applications also treat metered connections differently from non-metered or unlimited connection to reduce data usage such as fetching low-resolution preview images instead of high-resolution images, allowing a low-definition instead of high-definition video stream, or a header-only instead of full-sync of email.

Not only that, while connected to a metered connection Windows Update defers the background download of all updates unless it is a critical security update, until you connect to a non-metered network.

If Metered Internet Connections option is set to off, then device software will not be downloaded when your PC is connected to a metered connection.

Steps to Turn On or Off Metered Internet Connections for Devices in Windows 8

1. Open the Charms Bar by pressing (Windows + C) keys, and click on the Settings option. Or you can press (Windows + I) keys to open Settings charms bar directly.

2. Now, click on More Settings option.

3. Metro Control Panel Window will appear. Select Devices option in the left pane.

4. In the right pane you will see Metered Internet connections option, move the slider right or left to turn it on or off.

That’s it. Thus by turning the slider to off you can save your internet usage while connected to a metered wireless network. If you wish to download device software while connected to a metered wireless connection you just need to turn on the slider.