How do I prevent automatic downloads, I have limited data

rogerbid

New Member
Messages
5
Hi Everyone,

I have just bought a new laptop which came with Windows 8 preinstalled. I have since updated to 8.1 Pro with Media Center and so far, touch wood, things appear to be running well.

Having used Windows 7 for ages, I found the change to 8 somewhat difficult but I am slowly figuring it out. There will undoubtedly be things I cannot sort for myself but straight off the bat I have one question:

Where can I change a setting to stop in 8.1 from automatically going on line and downloading stuff I don't want? I do not want to prevent automatic downloading of Windows Updates etc, but I have just turned on and been greeted with a message telling me that Windows has downloaded 9 new apps - Alarms, Calculator, Food & Drink, Health & Fitness, Help & Tips, Reading List, Scan, Sound Recorder, Bing Desktop, and MS Silverlight (yes, I know, this is 10!)

I particularly want to keep this new Laptop free of unnecessary software which I will never use, basically all I want is Word, Excel, email capability, the ability to view TV (when away from home caravanning, hence the upgrade to 'Pro with Media Center') but little else. I will soon be abandoning my home cable internet connection and will be relying on a much reduced plan and so will not want the limited data used up because the O/S automatically loads the computer with rubbish.

Thanks for any suggestions offered, best wishes,

Roger
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS F551CA-SX240H
    Browser
    I.E.
    Antivirus
    McAphee
Hi Roger, welcome to the Eight Forums.

There's quite a lot you can do. First of course is to change Windows Update settings. Best option for you would be to check for updates but letting you to decide which of them if any you want to download. Tutorial: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-automatic-updating-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

Second setting to change is the Store App Auto Update. Open Windows Store, open Charms Bar > Settings, select App Updates and turn the automatic app updates off. Tutorial: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-automatic-download-updates-windows-8-a.html

Next, set your WiFi connection as a metered connection. Open Charms Bar > Connections, right click your Wifi connection and set it metered. Tutorial: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...set-unset-metered-connection-windows-8-a.html

Please notice that a wired connection cannot be set as metered. Read more: Metered Internet connections: Frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows Help.

Even if not set as metered you can always monitor your WiFi bandwidth usage by right clicking the connection and selecting Show estimated data usage:

2014-06-29_12h56_11.png


Now you can see how much data you have uploaded and downloaded since last reset:

2014-06-29_13h02_14.png


I hope this helps you at least to get started.

Kari
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
First of course is to change Windows Update settings. Best option for you would be to check for updates but letting you to decide which of them if any you want to download. Tutorial: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...-automatic-updating-turn-off-windows-8-a.html
You probably want to accept the defender updates (which are daily) if you use this as an AV. Personally I find it easier to leave it turned on - you could turn it off before the second Tuesday in the month in case MS decide to provide some really big update.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
A good point Adam.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
Thanks so much Adam and Kari for your replies and for the welcome!

Kari, your screen shots are very helpful and I appreciate the detailed advice. I also welcome your suggestion Adam and will bear this in mind when I determine the best Anti virus strategy. Is Windows Defender enough as an AV do you think?

I think the critical thing for me is to disable the Apps in Store App Auto Update as you mention, and allow Windows itself to update and if I get walloped with a larger update so be it! I am keen to have Win 8 running smoothly without burning the laptop with unwanted software.

Thanks again, and best wishes,

Roger
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS F551CA-SX240H
    Browser
    I.E.
    Antivirus
    McAphee
Impossible to answer.

I have never had an a/v block anything that would have been harmful.

I am now using the least intrusive and least annoying one I could find. Baidu.

It is called Pro, but is always free. They have nothing to sell, and no annoying popups trying to get you to buy the paid version. You can turn off streaming updates.

baidu.jpg


Baidu Antivirus | Professional Antivirus + Ultrafast Cloud Security
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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