220-1102 Question 187
Single answerMetered connections and limitationsA salesperson is working remotely from a hotel and connects their Windows 11 laptop to a mobile hotspot with a limited data plan. They report that after connecting, the laptop quickly used several gigabytes of data because updates and cloud syncing started automatically. You need to reduce background data usage immediately while still allowing normal web browsing and email. Which action should you take first?
- A
Set the hotspot Wi-Fi network as a metered connection in Windows
- B
Disable the wireless adapter in Device Manager until updates are finished
- C
Turn off User Account Control so background prompts do not appear
- D
Change the network profile from Public to Private
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, setting a connection as metered is a standard best practice when using cellular hotspots or other limited-data links. A metered connection tells Windows to reduce nonessential background network activity. This can affect behaviors such as automatic app updates, some Windows Update downloads, and sync operations, helping conserve data while keeping the system usable for essential tasks like web access and email. For A+ Core 2, technicians should recognize that metered connections are specifically intended to help manage bandwidth and data caps. Microsoft documentation for Windows networking and update settings describes metered connections as a way to control data usage on limited plans.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Marking the Wi-Fi network as a metered connection is the appropriate first step in Windows when a user is on a limited-data connection. A metered connection helps reduce background data usage by limiting certain automatic downloads and sync activity, such as some Windows updates and app/background syncing behavior. It still allows the user to browse the web and use email normally.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Disabling the wireless adapter would stop all network connectivity, which prevents browsing and email as well as updates. This is too disruptive and does not solve the problem in a practical way for a user who still needs access.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. User Account Control is a security feature related to elevation prompts and administrative changes. It has nothing to do with limiting network data usage on a constrained connection. Someone might pick this if they confuse system prompts with background update behavior.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Changing a network from Public to Private affects network discovery, sharing, and firewall-related behavior, not data consumption limits. This is a common misconception because network profile settings sound related to connection management, but they do not control background data usage in the way a metered connection does.