Request for Windows 10 alternatives to reduce data usage

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Request for Windows 10 alternatives to reduce data usage

D1023319

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#225389 16-Nov-2017 09:37

I'd appreciate suggestion how to resolve my problem outlined below

I installed Win10 on my mums PC and turned off all the automatic updates as she only has a cellular internet connection with a limited datacap.
However no matter what I do to the Win 10 configuration - Win 10 keeps doing updates and wiping her datacap out.

Noting it took mum a while to get used to the look and feel of Outlook and Chrome,
other than reverting to Win7 - I am interested to know if there are alternative operating systems that you can remain connected to internet but restrict when it updates?

Thoughts

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Biddle Corp

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#1902607 16-Nov-2017 09:56

One person supports this post

Do you have the connection set to a metered connection?

D1023319

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1902618 16-Nov-2017 10:09

yes - but Win 10 seems to override it at times.

I should also have said that a uncapped broadband connection cannot be considered due to irrational decision making that too complicated to go into here. :-(

sbiddle

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#1902655 16-Nov-2017 10:50

Yip it will override it for some critical updates but it will stop 99% of updates.

Short of doing that you can't do anything else. It's just the way the world works.

ripdog

472 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1902658 16-Nov-2017 11:03

Hmm, I hate to say it, but if you want complete control of how the computer works, Linux is your best bet. Chrome works there, and most webmail is pretty similar to Outlook. Assuming her hardware is well supported, it should be fairly stable. You would have full control of when to run updates, could choose a distro like Debian which only gets security updates during update cycles, and could be informed as to how much data would be used when you do update, before you update.

Of course, someone else (presumably you) would have to administer the computer.

nicmair

124 posts

Master Geek

#1902660 16-Nov-2017 11:11

what would happen if you disabled the windows update service?

D1023319

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1902661 16-Nov-2017 11:15

I did disable via various means but there appears to be a overide somewhere

ripdog

472 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1902663 16-Nov-2017 11:16

4 people support this post

Windows 10 enforces updates for a good reason. It's not safe to leave a computer on the internet without receiving security updates.

TwoSeven

1409 posts

Uber Geek

#1902677 16-Nov-2017 12:05

What version of Windows 10 is it - home, professional etc. ?

Software Engineer

D1023319

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1902683 16-Nov-2017 12:20

is Home upgraded from original win 7

1101

2009 posts

Uber Geek

#1902772 16-Nov-2017 14:49

D1023319:

I did disable via various means but there appears to be a overide somewhere

Various means ????

run services.msc & stop & disable it in there
Ive done this on a few PC's and it has stopped Win updates installing.

Could be other updates happening as well, AV & other programs updating. Could be cloud services running. Can even be an online
backup running you dont know about. Make sure Itunes,Icloud etc isnt installed
Is she watching any online movies & clips via the browsers. Or websites riddled with autorunning vids ?

Win10 may not be a good choice to run via cellphone data plan.
Perhaps get an android tablet & keyboard instead .

How much data usage per month are we talking about ?

D1023319

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1902786 16-Nov-2017 15:45

yes - your suggest approach was one of things I did.

no - she watches no movies - just email and occasional browsing for links from email to shopping.
Theres no itunes or other backups.

I am sorry - cant remember the cap but it is very low on a 2 degrees vodem.

So I was thinking at alternative operating system like Android installed on her PC may be way to go as she said she doesn't want to hold a tablet

1101:

D1023319:

I did disable via various means but there appears to be a overide somewhere

Various means ????

run services.msc & stop & disable it in there
Ive done this on a few PC's and it has stopped Win updates installing.

Could be other updates happening as well, AV & other programs updating. Could be cloud services running. Can even be an online
backup running you dont know about. Make sure Itunes,Icloud etc isnt installed
Is she watching any online movies & clips via the browsers. Or websites riddled with autorunning vids ?

Win10 may not be a good choice to run via cellphone data plan.
Perhaps get an android tablet & keyboard instead .

How much data usage per month are we talking about ?

blackjack17

943 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1902791 16-Nov-2017 16:10

What about an android/iPad tablet with a keyboard? Or even try sourcing a surface RT. Still use mine for movies, browsing is slow but works

djtOtago

577 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1902901 16-Nov-2017 19:16

One person supports this post

Maybe look at a Chromebook. I've never used one, but maybe others can comment on experience.

You mentioned outlook. Is she using outlook web, or outlook the desktop application?.

If the outlook application, it is likely constantly checking for new emails in the background even if you think you have closed it. That will us a bit of data. Plus I think it will have its own updates, separate from windows.

Does the computer have an anti virus program? It will be updating its signatures / database at least once a week. I've seen some big downloads for virus updates.

ANglEAUT

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#1903019 16-Nov-2017 22:20

blackjack17: What about an android/iPad tablet with a keyboard? Or even try sourcing a surface RT. Still use mine for movies, browsing is slow but works

Unfortunately, any tablet / phone type device is a bad idea in this situation. The reason is apps. Even if the OS doesn't update often, the apps update even more frequently than the monthly Windows cycle. An they can be anything from 10MB to 200MB for MS Excel & MS Word.

If you really only want minimal updates, consider a Linux Long Term Support (LTS) distro.

PS If you don't want to download security updates, you might as well install WinXP. The experience will be the same. Security these days is not a 'necessary evil', but absolutely required.

Of course, you could always do your mom a favour ... and go on a data hunt. I easily picked up 900MB just tonight by doing some driving in my neighbourhood.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

blackjack17

943 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1903024 16-Nov-2017 22:29

IcI:
blackjack17: What about an android/iPad tablet with a keyboard? Or even try sourcing a surface RT. Still use mine for movies, browsing is slow but works

Unfortunately, any tablet / phone type device is a bad idea in this situation. The reason is apps. Even if the OS doesn't update often, the apps update even more frequently than the monthly Windows cycle. An they can be anything from 10MB to 200MB for MS Excel & MS Word.

If you really only want minimal updates, consider a Linux Long Term Support (LTS) distro.

PS If you don't want to download security updates, you might as well install WinXP. The experience will be the same. Security these days is not a 'necessary evil', but absolutely required.

Of course, you could always do your mom a favour ... and go on a data hunt. I easily picked up 900MB just tonight by doing some driving in my neighbourhood.

If the device is for a non it person I would avoid Linux. My phone (android) goes through less than half a gig a month that is with extensive browsing plus 3 email address. One of which is a work account which has up to a couple of hundred emails a day. Half of my day is on WiFi.

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