Why does Windows want me to stop Onedrive?

Q

For the last few weeks I keep seeing a message that says, ‘This PC is on a metered network. Pause Onedrive to reduce network charges.’ I have no idea why. I’ve been with BT for many years and, on the whole, I’m happy with the service. Is this a new charge from Microsoft, or something to do with BT? John Canning

A

It’s not a charge from anyone. Rather, it’s a warning that Windows believes you’re using what’s known as a metered internet connection. This typically means that your computer is tethering via a 3G or 4G mobile phone, where data is typically charged by the megabyte or gigabyte. Alternatively, a traditional, landline-based broadband package with capped usage could count as metered. As Onedrive is always uploading and downloading content it uses a lot of data, so it’s sensible to disable it on a metered connection — to avoid using up your data allowance.

As you’re with BT we’re pretty confident that you have a traditional broadband package. But we think that at some point recently you’ve used a hidden Windows 10 feature that halts the download and installation of Windows 10 updates — and that’s the ‘Set metered connection switch’. It’s easy to enable, but also just as easy to forget that you’ve done so. The recent appearance of the Onedrive message supports our theory, because it’s exactly what would happen when the switch is in the On position.

There’s nothing to worry about and, assuming you’re PC isn’t connected via a 3G/4G mobile phone or on a capped broadband package, keeping Onedrive active won’t see you racking up any unexpected charges — so feel free to ignore the message.

If it bothers you, you’ll either need to pause Onedrive or tell Windows you’re not on a metered connection. To do the former, right-click the Onedrive icon in your notification area, then point to Pause Syncing and choose a duration (see screenshot). For the latter, click Start followed by the Settings cogs, then click ‘Network & Internet’ followed by Wi-fi, and then your router’s name (at the top). In the ‘Metered connection’ section, click to switch ‘Set as metered connection’ to Off.