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I would like to set a network connection as metered. I can't find how to do this; it seems to have changed in the upgrade from Windows 8 to 8.1.

I tried following the steps in the official metered connection FAQ. However, when I open the connection, there is no Data Usage heading nor a Set as a metered connection option. I tried this on two different computers, both running Windows 8.1. I also tried doing this for both wireless and ethernet adaptors.

Here's what the connection screen looks like. I've cropped the empty space from the image. Network connection without metering options or information

How can I set the connection to metered?

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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I found that there were two separate causes of this:

Ethernet connections can't be set to metered

I discovered a note under the What are the recommended settings? heading that says:

Ethernet network connections can't be set to metered.

Wireless adaptors can't be set to metered

I realised that only individual wireless networks can be set to metered. Wireless adaptors themselves cannot be. So to make a wireless connection metered, you have to first connect to the wireless network and then follow the normal instructions.

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  • If a set a wifi ad hoc connection by hand, Do you know how set it as a metered connection? Normal instructions doesn't work.
    – Jose Nobile
    Jul 3, 2014 at 13:25
  • @JoseNobile, I only really know how to do what I covered in the answer! Did you make sure that the connection was active before trying to change the setting?
    – Sam
    Jul 4, 2014 at 0:24
  • Yes, the connection was active before try to set as metered connection.
    – Jose Nobile
    Jul 12, 2014 at 17:38
  • @Sam You can actually change it. See my answer below
    – chmod
    Jan 10, 2017 at 2:46
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Actually it's possible to set Ethernet and WiFi connection as metered connection. You just have to change them in the registry.

Here's how

  1. Open registry editor (Run --> regedit)
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\DefaultMediaCost

  3. Back up registry key (File --> export)

  4. Take ownership of DefaultMediaCost key (Right click --> permission ---> advance --> change [owner])

  5. Give yourself full control permission

  6. On right hand side, double click on Ethernet [REG_DWORD], change the value to "2"

  7. Restart your computer

  8. Done!

FYI: value 2 means metered, value 1 means unmetered, you can also change the metered setting for other connection type as well.

If you need full details, step by step (with screenshot), please see the reference link.

Reference : http://www.howtogeek.com/262477/how-to-set-an-ethernet-connection-as-metered-in-windows-8-and-10/

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