In rural communities, satellite internet users often have very restrictive monthly data caps. Some of them are given unlimited data for a few hours in the middle of the night (i.e. Galaxy). I have been asked how to best take advantage of these hours for downloading Netflix shows. Here is the answer!

This article focuses on the Windows 10 Netflix app, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store app within Windows 10 for free on any Windows 10 PC. The app works in a similar way to how downloads work on your mobile devices or tablets. You find the TV show or movie you want to watch and if Netflix has it available for download, you simply tap the icon next to the title’s name and download it to the device.

However, Netflix has not yet integrated a download scheduling service into its application. Several start-ups have addressed this issue and offer solutions such as Playon and Nightshift, among the most famous. These apps let customers schedule recordings for the middle of the night and hide them locally so they can be viewed on any device connected to a home Wi-Fi network. However, there is a charge for these solutions. Is it possible to do it for free? Yes, with a bit of elbow grease!

The solution is based on the following: when the Netflix app is launched and downloads are in progress, if your Wi-Fi network adapter is deactivated, Netflix app will automatically pause your downloads. When the Wi-Fi network adapter is reactivated, the Wi-Fi connection is re-established and downloads resume where they left off. The trick is to program your computer to establish your Internet connection at the time your unlimited data plan starts and stop when your unlimited data slot ends.

Step 1: Create a batch file

Create a new text document and paste the following code:

@echo off

netsh wlan show networks | FIND “Wi-Fi” /I /C

if %errorlevel% equ 1 (netsh interface set interface Wi-Fi enabled) else (netsh interface set interface Wi-Fi disabled)

Name this file as you like and give it the .bat extension since it is a batch file that must be readable by your shell. In short, this little code searches for your “Wi-Fi” network adapter and changes its status to “enabled” if it is disabled or vice versa.

Step 2: Schedule this program to run at the times of interest.

To do this, we use Task Scheduler, a native Windows tool that automatically executes the tasks you give it at the times you specify. Open the Windows Task Scheduler. Create a new task; choose the .bat file you created previously as the program to run; define the triggers that will trigger the execution of the task (start and end times of your unlimited downloads).

Step 3: Choose the shows to download.

Now that your computer is set up to turn its Wi-Fi adapter on/off at specific times, all you have to do is open the Netflix application and choose the shows you want by clicking “Download”. Please note, however, that downloads will begin immediately. The last step is to manually run the batch script you’ve created so that your Wi-Fi connection is disabled. Netflix should now show you that your downloads are paused.

Now, leave your computer on with the Netflix app open. Your shows will be downloaded overnight, and your data quota will not be impacted!