[Tip] Enable or Disable Automatic Updates in Microsoft Edge Over Metered Connection

This article will help you in enabling or disabling automatic updates download in Microsoft Edge web browser over metered Internet connection.

Metered connection is a type of Internet connection where you get a fixed amount of data (such as 20 GB) to use within a fixed time period (such as 1 month) and if you cross the data limit, either your Internet connection speed is reduced by the ISP or your Internet connectivity gets blocked until you recharge. One example of metered connection is cellular network.

Since Metered connection users get limited data usage and bandwidth, they need to use the Internet data wisely and block unnecessary apps and programs from accessing Internet.

Windows 10 operating system allows users to set their Internet connection as Metered Using Network and Internet section present in Settings app. You can also open connections list by clicking on Network icon present in Taskbar notification area and then click on Properties link showing under your active Internet connection. It’ll open your Internet connection properties window where you can set the connection as Metered.

Once you set your Internet connection as Metered, many built-in apps stop consuming Internet data. Also Windows Update stops downloading optional updates.

Now Microsoft has also added a similar and useful feature to Microsoft Edge web browser. You can now allow or disallow Microsoft Edge from automatically downloading and installing new updates over metered connections.

By default, Microsoft Edge automatically scans for new available updates and as soon as it finds a new version update available, it starts downloading it.

If you are using a metered connection and want to prevent or restrict Microsoft Edge from automatically downloading new updates to save your Internet connection bandwidth, you can now block it by modifying a new option added to Microsoft Edge Settings page.

Now you have control over Microsoft Edge automatic updates. If you want to allow Microsoft Edge to download updates over metered connection, you can enable the new option and if you want to block Microsoft Edge from downloading new updates, you can disable the option.

Following steps will help you in enabling or disabling Microsoft Edge from automatically downloading and installing new updates over metered connection:

1. Open Microsoft Edge browser and click on the 3-dots menu button present at the right-side of the toolbar. Now select Settings option from the main menu.

Alternatively, you can press ALT+F keys together to show Edge Menu and then press S key to open Settings page. You can also directly open Edge Settings page using edge://settings/ URL in address bar.

2. Now click on About Microsoft Edge tab in left sidebar and in right-side pane, you’ll see Download Updates over metered connections option. Its description says “Automatically download updates over metered networks (for example, cellular network) and apply them on browser restart. Charges may apply.”.

If you want to allow Microsoft Edge to automatic download and install updates, enable Download Updates over metered connections option i.e. set the toggle button to ON.

If you want to block Microsoft Edge from automatic downloading and installing updates, disable Download Updates over metered connections option i.e. set the toggle button to OFF.

That’s it.

BONUS TIP:

If you want to permanently block automatic updates feature in Microsoft Edge web browser, following tutorial will help you:

How to Disable or Remove MicrosoftEdgeUpdate.exe Process Running in Task Manager?