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Reverend Jim 6,665 Hi, I'm Jim, one of DaniWeb's moderators.

I thought this was only me, but apparently there are other users who have noticed that somewhere in the last few Microsoft Updates, the option to set a wi-fi connection as metered has been removed. Fortunately, you can still set/unset this option from the command line. For details, and a vbScript option to make it idiot proof please see this thread. This may also work for Ethernet (cabled) interfaces although I have not tried it because I never use a cabled connection.

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A short, practical update and troubleshooting checklist to complement ’s pointer about alternate (command-line / script) ways to control the setting.

In current Windows releases the simplest way is the Settings UI: Network & Internet → Wi‑Fi → click the connected network and toggle Metered connection, and for wired links use Network & Internet → Ethernet → click the network and toggle Metered connection. (support.microsoft.com)

If that toggle is missing or grayed out it is commonly because the machine is managed (Group Policy/MDM) or a policy has been applied that controls network cost. Also note that older registry hacks targeted the DefaultMediaCost key but newer Windows builds store per-adapter cost under the DusmSvc/Profiles area, so scripts written in 2016–2017 that change DefaultMediaCost may fail on modern builds. Check for an applied policy (Windows Connection Manager / “Set metered network”) before changing system settings. (learn.microsoft.com)

If a manual fix is needed: prefer the Settings UI when possible. Editing registry keys (DefaultMediaCost) or taking ownership of protected keys will work on older systems but is risky and often unnecessary on up-to-date machines; take a backup and proceed only with admin rights. For Ethernet specifically, Windows added a UI option in later feature updates (Creators Update era) so Registry edits are less often required today. (howtogeek.com)

Practical next steps: verify whether the PC is domain‑joined or MDM‑managed, use gpedit/gpresult or your management console to look for a “Set metered network” policy, try the Settings UI on a local admin account, and only then consider registry edits or updated scripts that target the DusmSvc profile keys. If the device belongs to an organization, route changes through IT rather than forcing local edits.

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