How to Disable Metered Wi-Fi Connection in Windows 10: A Complete Guide

Have you ever encountered a situation where Windows 10 suddenly limits Wi-Fi speed, even though your provider's tariff allows you to use the internet at full capacity? The system can automatically activate the "limited connection" — a feature designed to save data on mobile networks, but often triggers on home Wi-Fi networks as well. As a result, pages load more slowly, updates are paused, and background tasks (such as synchronization) OneDrive or download games in Steam) just don't start.

In this article we will look at all ways to disable the limit mode — from standard settings to registry editing and the command line. You'll learn why Windows activates restrictions even on unlimited plans, how to check the current connection status, and what to do if settings reset after a reboot. And for advanced users, we've prepared methods for automatically managing limits via PowerShell And Group Policy.

Before making any changes, make sure the issue is truly with your Windows settings and not with restrictions from your ISP or router. To do this, simply connect another device (smartphone or tablet) to the same network and compare the speeds.

What is a "metered connection" and why is it activated?

Mode limited connection (Metered Connection) was introduced in Windows 8 and inherited Windows 10/11 To save mobile data. In this mode, the system:

• 🔄 Pauses automatic OS and app updates from Microsoft Store.
• 📥 Limits background data loading (e.g. synchronization) OneDrive or updating tiles in the Start menu).
• 🎮 Reduces the quality of streaming video in some applications (for example, in Xbox Game Pass).
• ⚡ Reduces energy consumption by limiting network activity.

By default, Windows may automatically enable this mode for mobile networks (3G/4G) or connections with paid data. However, sometimes the system mistakenly marks home Wi-Fi networks as metered. Reasons:

• 📶 Incorrect router settings (for example, the mode is enabled Hotspot 2.0 or Captive Portal).
• 🔄 A Windows update that resulted in network settings being lost.
• 🖥️ Manual activation of the mode by the user (for example, to save traffic while traveling).
• 🛠️ Service outages Network List Service.

Interestingly, some providers (for example, Beeline or MTS) can transmit connection "limit" labels to Windows via DHCP-options. In this case, disabling the mode in the OS settings won't help—you'll need to configure the router.

How to check if metered mode is enabled on your Wi-Fi

Before disabling restrictions, make sure the problem lies with Windows settings. To do this:

1. Open Windows Settings (Win + I).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Select your current network (click on its name).
4. Scroll down to the block Set as metered connection.

If the slider is enabled (blue), your connection is limited. If it's grayed out and speed issues persist, check your settings via PowerShell:

Get-NetConnectionProfile | Select-Object Name, NetworkCategory, Metered

In the results, pay attention to the column Metered:

• True — the mode is on.
• False — the mode is disabled.

Also worth checking out connection speed through services like Speedtest.net or Yandex.InternetometerIf the speed is more than 30% lower than what the provider claims, the problem may be with the router or the operator.

Method 1: Disabling metered mode via Windows Settings

The simplest method is to use the graphical interface. It's suitable for most users and doesn't require technical skills.

1. Open Parameters (Win + I).
2. Go to Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
3. Click on the name of your network (e.g. TP-Link_1234).
4. In the section "Limited connection" move the slider to the position Off.

If the slider is unavailable (grayed out), it may mean:

• 🔒 You do not have administrator rights.
• 📡 Connection is controlled via Group Policy (in corporate networks).
• 🔄 The network is configured as public (Public Network).

Make sure you are connected to the correct network|Check your administrator rights|Run PowerShell for diagnostics|Restart the router (if the slider is grayed out)-->

After disabling the mode, we recommend restarting your computer for the changes to take effect. If the settings reset after restarting, proceed to the registry editing method (Method 3).

Method 2: Managing Limit Mode via PowerShell

For advanced users or cases where the graphical interface does not work, this is suitable management via PowerShellThis method allows you to disable restrictions for all networks at once or set up automatic control.

To disable metered mode for the current network, execute:

Set-NetConnectionProfile -Metered $false

For disable all Wi-Fi networks:

Get-NetConnectionProfile | Where-Object {$_.NetworkCategory -eq "Public" -or $_.NetworkCategory -eq "Private"} | Set-NetConnectionProfile -Metered $false

If necessary, on the contrary, enable traffic saving mode (for example, on a mobile hotspot), use:

Set-NetConnectionProfile -Metered $true

PowerShell also allows create a rule to automatically disable the limit mode when connecting to a home network. To do this, save the following script to a file disable_metered.ps1 and run it as administrator:

$profile = Get-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi"
if ($profile.Metered -eq $true) {
Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Wi-Fi" -Metered $false
Write-Host "Metered mode disabled for Wi-Fi."
} else {
Write-Host "Limited mode is already disabled."
}

To make the script run automatically when you log in, add it to Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc).

Method 3: Editing the Windows Registry (Advanced)

If the settings are reset after a reboot or changes made through Settings are not saved, the problem may be damaged registry keysIn this case, manual editing will help.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrectly editing the registry can cause system failures. Before making changes create a restore point.

To disable the limited mode via the registry:

1. Click Win + R, enter regedit and confirm (Enter).
2. Follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\DefaultMediaCost
3. Find the parameter Wi-Fi (or Ethernet, if you are using a cable) and set the value 1 (without restrictions).
4. Restart your computer.

Parameter values ​​in DefaultMediaCost:

If the key DefaultMediaCost No, it can be created manually:

1. Right click on the folder NetworkList → Create → Section.
2. Name the new section DefaultMediaCost.
3. Create a parameter inside DWORD (32 bits) with a name Wi-Fi and meaning 1.

Method 4: Configuring via Group Policy (for Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise)

In corporate or educational networks, Wi-Fi settings can be managed through group policy (Group Policy). If your version of Windows supports gpedit.msc, follow these steps:

1. Click Win + R, enter gpedit.msc and confirm.
2. Follow the path: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Manage Windows Wireless Connections
3. Find a policy "Disable the use of metered connections".
4. Set value Disabled or Not set.

If the policy is enabled (Included), the system will ignore your settings in Windows Settings. In this case:

• 🔧 Contact your network administrator (if the PC is in a domain).
• 🛠️ Try disabling the policy through the registry (key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator, parameter NoActiveMeteredNetwork with meaning 0).

Also in gpedit.msc can be customized automatic detection of limited networks:

1. Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Manage Windows Wireless Connections → Windows Connection Manager.
2. Find a policy "Allow metered connections".
3. Set value Disabled.

Method 5: Reset network settings (if nothing helps)

If all the above methods did not work, the problem may lie in deep network stack failuresIn this case, a complete reset of network settings will help.

To reset settings:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Status.
2. Scroll down and click Network Reset.
3. Confirm the action and restart your computer.

After reset:

• 🔄 You will have to reconnect to all Wi-Fi networks (passwords will not be saved).
• 📡 Router settings (e.g. static IP) will also be reset.
• 🛠️ Limit mode will be disabled for all networks.

⚠️ Attention: A network reset deletes all user VPN connections and proxy settings. If you're using a corporate VPN, back up your configuration files beforehand.

An alternative reset method is via the command line (cmd as administrator):

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Additional tips: how to avoid automatic activation of limit mode

To prevent Windows from enabling restrictions automatically, follow these guidelines:

• 🔧 Configure your router: Disable options Hotspot 2.0, Captive Portal And Band Steering (if they are not needed). These features can cause Windows to consider the network as "public" or "metered".
• 📡 Use a static IP: Assign a fixed IP address to your PC in your router settings. This will reduce the likelihood of connection failures.
• 🔄 Update your drivers: Outdated Wi-Fi adapter drivers may cause the metered connection feature to malfunction. Download drivers only from official Microsoft website or the website of the adapter manufacturer (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom).
• 🛡️ Check your antivirus: Some antiviruses (for example, Kaspersky or Avast) have traffic management modules that may conflict with Windows settings.

If you frequently connect to different networks (for example, at home, at work, in a cafe), create PowerShell script for automatic management of the limit mode:

$homeSSID = "Your_home_Wi-Fi"
$currentSSID = (netsh wlan show interfaces | Select-String "SSID").Line.Split(":")[1].Trim()

if ($currentSSID -eq $homeSSID) {
Set-NetConnectionProfile -Metered $false
Write-Host "Home network - metered mode disabled."
} else {
Set-NetConnectionProfile -Metered $true
Write-Host "Public network - metered mode enabled."
}

Save the script to a file wifi_metered.ps1 and add it to startup.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about metered connections in Windows 10

Set-NetConnectionProfile -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -Metered $false