Monitoring automatic internet connectioins

I'm on a metered hotspot so when I use my laptop I don't want applications to autormatically connect to the web for updates or otherthings without my knowledge and approval. I know it's possible to limit this automatic access when first setting up applications and windows, but now I have so many. Windows doesn't seem to be a problem because it only updates when I allow (usually when I'm at McDonald's ). But the other day my hotspot went dead because a fish screensaver was updating without my knowledge. I promptly uninstalled it rather than figure out how to tame it. Is there another way to limit this auto access?

A firewall will do, just make sure to remove all pre-configured rules, which allow safe apps.
Either use an extension for Windows firewall to control outbound or use another firewall.

http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php or http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html

https://www.privacyware.com/personal_firewall.html