Limit bandwidth for Win 10 updates?

Ductape wrote:
I know there are some real pros on here, hopefully someone has knowledge on this topic. Google has failed me. Win 10 consumes all the available bandwidth on my home network for updates (1.5 mbps). So nothing else is functional, can't even browse when updates take over. I run 10 pro on two machines, whatever the latest build is, it's on auto update.

I have tried the fix I found, which are the policy constraints for bandwidth for BITS and WUDO. Neither functions to limit the updates, and I see I'm not the only one to complain of this. Is there no option internally; is add on software for network management the only option?

Many thanks!

you're not alone as a google search on limiting Win10 update bandwidth proved. since MS has decided that their users are too stoopid and must be force fed about all you can do is determine when the updates are applied. check this link to learn how to do that.

another alternative is to turn off the Windows 10 update service. if you do this then no updates will be done. if/when you want to update Win10 just turn the update service back on again. click here to learn how to do that.

maybe MS will listen and revert their updates back to the way they were prior to Win10. yeah, right.

Set your network connection to metered, it will not download updates while on a metered network. This is a great option for a cellular hotspot while on the road as well. The only trick with Win10, is that eventually you will be forced to do updates as features may stop working correctly. Just manually every month or so, turn off metered connection for a night and let the updates download after hours, then switch back to metered in the morning.

rwbradley wrote:
Set your network connection to metered, it will not download updates while on a metered network. This is a great option for a cellular hotspot while on the road as well. The only trick with Win10, is that eventually you will be forced to do updates as features may stop working correctly. Just manually every month or so, turn off metered connection for a night and let the updates download after hours, then switch back to metered in the morning.

"Metered" setting ONLY works for WIRELESS as in WiFi or Hot spot.

When you connect a Win10 PC to a hardwired Ethernet connection the "metered" setting IS IGNORED..

That is fine if you do not mind living with a 54MB wireless connection the rest of your life. Myself I would go crazy with anything less than a 100 MB Ethernet connection preferring a gigabit Ethernet and I am NOT streaming or using high bandwidth intensive stuff.. In fact I have 1.5Mbs Internet connection myself that works fine with 3 PCs, three tablets and three cell phones with Wifi running on my Internet connection.. But I do not have Win10 (XP and Win7 yes, but not "10")..

As far as the OPs concern goes, no, no way to "limit" the bandwidth, but do check to make sure MS is NOT USING YOUR PC CONNECTION FOR UPDATING OTHER PEOPLES PCs. The default for Win10 is to allow MS to use your PC to help distribute their updates, using YOUR Internet connection and YOUR PC instead of theirs..

Just say "no." There's Linux, MacOS, and even Android. Many people only need web/email/basic document (word processing/spreadsheet, etc.) apps, and either will do those just fine. Microsoft turned to the dark side long ago, and Apple is following their path (so beware).

Turn off the updates completely. I have had mine off since 11/15. Still working fine.
Doing the metered thing does not work as you have to remember to turn it on every time you go to a new WIFI. If not it will start downloading updates and block use. Then when it fails due to limited bandwidth you will have a mess. I know.

Gdetrailer wrote:

rwbradley wrote:
Set your network connection to metered, it will not download updates while on a metered network. This is a great option for a cellular hotspot while on the road as well. The only trick with Win10, is that eventually you will be forced to do updates as features may stop working correctly. Just manually every month or so, turn off metered connection for a night and let the updates download after hours, then switch back to metered in the morning.

"Metered" setting ONLY works for WIRELESS as in WiFi or Hot spot.

When you connect a Win10 PC to a hardwired Ethernet connection the "metered" setting IS IGNORED..

That is fine if you do not mind living with a 54MB wireless connection the rest of your life. Myself I would go crazy with anything less than a 100 MB Ethernet connection preferring a gigabit Ethernet and I am NOT streaming or using high bandwidth intensive stuff.. In fact I have 1.5Mbs Internet connection myself that works fine with 3 PCs, three tablets and three cell phones with Wifi running on my Internet connection.. But I do not have Win10 (XP and Win7 yes, but not "10")..

As far as the OPs concern goes, no, no way to "limit" the bandwidth, but do check to make sure MS is NOT USING YOUR PC CONNECTION FOR UPDATING OTHER PEOPLES PCs. The default for Win10 is to allow MS to use your PC to help distribute their updates, using YOUR Internet connection and YOUR PC instead of theirs..

Ya you are right, can't do it on Wired, and I would take a wired connection (even 100mb) over WIFI any day for stability, even my 802.11AC enterprise wifi system where I can connect at 700mb+ cannot compete stability wise with wired. However I thought I was one of the few who tries to use wired whenever possible. It seems most people connect WIFI just because it is easier than running cable thru existing walls in their house, but I have the tools and training to do this. So ya this will not work for wired, but if they are using WIFI at home, it is still an easy (but manual) option to prevent updates from killing bandwidth during the day.

If this guy had a 100MB connection I really doubt he would be concerned about the Win10 updates taking up all of his bandwidth. I suspect his best option is to connection via Wi-Fi and set a metered connection. The other option is to move in with gdetrailer and use his super connection.

Gdetrailer wrote -


As far as the OPs concern goes, no, no way to "limit" the bandwidth, but do check to make sure MS is NOT USING YOUR PC CONNECTION FOR UPDATING OTHER PEOPLES PCs. The default for Win10 is to allow MS to use your PC to help distribute their updates, using YOUR Internet connection and YOUR PC instead of theirs..

I'd appreciate hearing more about this - What setting do I look at and How do I change it. Only had Win10 for a month so many things about it are new.

Thanks.

as a professional nerd, there is NO way I'd be caught dead on a Windows PC with updates turned off.

That's like walking into a Biker Bar in Sturgis and calling them Kawasaki Loving Sissies.

I use Linux at home and Windows at work.
Windows simply has to get the security patches frequently.

pconroy328 wrote:
as a professional nerd, there is NO way I'd be caught dead on a Windows PC with updates turned off.

That's like walking into a Biker Bar in Sturgis and calling them Kawasaki Loving Sissies.

I use Linux at home and Windows at work.
Windows simply has to get the security patches frequently.

HEY !!!

I loved my Kawasaki H-1 !!