Administrators utilizing Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) are poised for a significant shift, as Microsoft prepares to phase out active development for this longstanding feature. As Windows Server 2025 remains in preview, the tech giant has begun to clarify which tools will be deprecated in the upcoming release, with WSUS being among them.
Transitioning from WSUS
This change is particularly impactful for many IT professionals who depend on WSUS for efficiently deploying and managing updates within enterprise environments. The utility of WSUS extends even to networks that are disconnected from the internet; administrators can download patches to a connected machine, transfer them via removable media, and then import them into a WSUS server offline, ensuring that systems remain up-to-date.
One administrator shared their thoughts with El Reg, stating, “We are migrating to Intune. It’s a lot more complicated than WSUS, and it takes a lot longer to get set up.” This sentiment reflects the challenges that come with transitioning to newer cloud-based solutions.
Microsoft’s guidance, as expected, leans towards encouraging users to adopt cloud tools. Options include Intune for comprehensive device management, Windows Autopatch for client updates, and Azure Update Manager for server updates. Additionally, a variety of third-party tools, such as Ansible, are available to assist in this transition.
The announcement has sparked a range of reactions from the community. One user remarked, “Congratulations, you just made centralized automated patching subject to internal politics and budget constraints. I survived the era of Melissa, SQL Slammer, and other challenges that were addressed when we no longer had to choose between paid patch management or trusting admins of every server to do the right thing. For those of you that did not live through that, buckle up!”
It is essential to note that while WSUS is being deprecated, it will not be immediately removed. Unlike features such as the IIS 6 Management Console, SMTP email server, and WordPad—which are slated for removal in Windows Server 2025—Microsoft’s announcement simply indicates that WSUS will no longer receive active development. This serves as a crucial reminder for administrators still relying on WSUS to begin planning their migration strategies sooner rather than later.
