Check if Windows 10 is "Eating" Your Mobile Data.

eatwell365 on 08/06/2016 - 06:23

Just a quick note to my fellow OZB.

Not IT experts like many here. However, like many OZBers here, I have upgraded to Windows 10 for families and friends. Loving it especially on older laptops. It runs faster.

Last night, caught up with in laws.
He only uses mobile data at home for his laptop.
Found that the data meter clocks up about 500Mb every time he uses his laptop with the new Windows 10 and "eats" up the few Gb data he has.
I checked his laptop settings and googled.

Unlike early Windows OS, which you select whether to download Windows or virus updates and/or install.
Looks like Windows 10 is set to do updates automatically.
It is made pretty hidden if you would like to stop this auto update.

No time to google and post solution link this morning but think to give heads up on this if you have recently upgraded to Windows 10 and not notice the issue.
Basically, go network, advanced option, your mobile wifi, turn it off to metered data.

Others can comment.

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Comments

  • the-mal on 08/06/2016 - 08:36
    +1

    For the vast, vast majority of cases auto-update enabled by default is a good thing. It means vulnerabilities and virus definitions are updated for non tech savvy people without them having to remember. And I'd say 95% of people wouldn't notice the data.

    Certainly in your in laws edge case it was annoying because of their tiny data allowance. But I still think having it on as default saves many more hassles than it creates.

    Wasn't there about option when Win 10 installed that asked whether you wanted Auto Updates? I thought I remembered being asked.

    Either way, the easy way to turn it off is here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-10/getstarted-cho…

    • eqv on 08/06/2016 - 11:14

      That link doesn't really show how to disable updates, only the restart option. Setting connection as metered connection as whgb mentioned below would probably be the way to go to prevent auto update.

  • the frost on 08/06/2016 - 09:46
    +4

    You can help ease the pain by setting the network as metered. Then certain apps and services will limit the background data.

    To do so, open your Start menu and select Settings to launch it. Click or tap the “Network & Internet” icon, select “Wi-Fi,” and select “Advanced options” at the bottom of the list of nearby Wi-Fi networks. Activate the “Set as metered connection” option here.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2016 - 10:02
    +1

    Worth noting that Windows 10 also uses a P2P update model - so rather than you hitting just the Windows Update servers, updates are shared between machines not dissimilar to the way Torrents work; so even if your machine isn't actively updating itself, it still may be sharing the updates it's downloaded with others (though this is something that's easily disabled in the options.)

    • JH100 on 08/06/2016 - 13:06

      OT - Wasn't there security concerns about Win 10 sharing data by default, not just serving updates. Was that addressed in the OS or do you still have to DIY?

      • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2016 - 13:29
        +1

        It's a configurable out-of-box option (the screen where you set up all the options before you see the desktop for the first time.)

  • scupper on 08/06/2016 - 15:08
    +2

    Try adding adblockers on their web browsers. Just browsing the web without one could be tripling the size of webpages.

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