How to set a metered connection on Windows

A metered connection tells Windows to limit background data. Learn where to find the switch for Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and how to watch your use.

A metered connection is a network where you pay by the amount of data or have a cap, such as a mobile hotspot. Marking it as metered tells Windows to be more careful with background downloads.

Where to find the setting

Settings differ slightly between Windows 10 and Windows 11, so use the path that matches your PC.

Wi-Fi: open Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi, select the network’s properties and turn on Metered connection.

Ethernet: open Settings → Network & internet → Ethernet and turn on Metered connection on the connection’s page.

What it changes

Windows may delay some large background downloads on a metered connection. It does not stop apps from using the network, and many third-party programs ignore the setting.

Combine it with monitoring

A metered setting is a request, not a limit. To see what really happens:

Keep a live readout on the taskbar.
Hover over it to see the totals sent and received since the program started.
Check Windows Data usage for per-app totals over 30 days.

NetSpeedDisplay’s totals reset when the program starts, so they suit a single session such as an evening on a hotspot. Your provider’s meter is the one that counts for any cap, so treat every figure on the PC as an estimate.

Hotspots and tethering

When you tether a laptop to a phone, the phone’s link is the adapter carrying traffic. If your display shows zero, pick the right adapter. See also monitoring network speed on laptops.

How to monitor data usage on Windows

Find per-app data usage in Windows and keep track of traffic during a session.

How to reduce bandwidth usage on Windows

Practical ways to cut unwanted network traffic on a Windows PC: find heavy apps, pause backups, set metered connections and verify the result.

Published 2026-10-17