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2025-02-13
Microsoft announced on September 20, 2024, that Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), a no-additional-cost utility integrated into the Windows Server OS, will no longer be developed after Windows Server 2025. While Microsoft hasn’t set a hard end-of-life (EOL) date for WSUS, it’s clear that the tool will become obsolete with the release of the successor to Windows Server 2025. Microsoft is gradually phasing out WSUS functionality to push users toward its paid cloud-based patching and updating platforms, such as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), Windows Update for Business (WUfB), Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Update Manager.
Driver synchronization in WSUS will be deprecated on April 18, 2025, marking the beginning of its decline. This move forces Windows administrators to transition to paid solutions, adding operational costs for server maintenance.
Key Links:
- BleepingComputer’s article on the removal of driver sync in WSUS: https://lnkd.in/eQyS-vDy
- BleepingComputer’s post on the Microsoft announcement: https://lnkd.in/eujWNqqV
- List of features removed or no longer developed in Windows Server 2025: https://lnkd.in/eJ9Jzi27
- PDQ-Deploy, a non-Microsoft patching solution: https://lnkd.in/eweMyauK
Practical Commands and Tools for Transitioning Administrators:
1. Check WSUS Server Status:
Get-WsusServer
This command retrieves the status of your WSUS server, helping you monitor its functionality during the transition.
2. Migrate to Microsoft Intune:
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.Graph.Intune -Force
Use this command to install the Microsoft Intune module for PowerShell, enabling you to manage updates via Intune.
3. Azure Update Manager Setup:
az extension add --name azure-update-manager
Add the Azure Update Manager extension to your Azure CLI to manage updates in a cloud environment.
4. Windows Update for Business Configuration:
Set-WindowsUpdateConfiguration -AutoUpdateOptions "NotifyDownload"
Configure Windows Update for Business to notify before downloading updates.
5. PDQ-Deploy Command Example:
pdqdeploy.exe /package:"Patch Deployment" /target:"Server01"
Use PDQ-Deploy to automate patch deployments to your servers.
What Undercode Say:
The deprecation of WSUS marks a significant shift in how Windows Server administrators will manage updates. Microsoft’s push toward cloud-based solutions like Intune and Azure Update Manager reflects the industry’s broader move to cloud-centric IT management. However, this transition comes at a cost, both financially and in terms of learning new tools and workflows.
For administrators, this is an opportunity to explore alternative solutions like PDQ-Deploy or open-source tools such as Ansible for patch management. Linux-based systems, for instance, offer robust update mechanisms like `apt` and yum, which can be automated using cron jobs or scripts. For example:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
This command updates all packages on a Debian-based system.
Windows administrators can also leverage PowerShell for automation:
Install-WindowsUpdate -AcceptAll -AutoReboot
This command automates the installation of Windows updates and reboots the system if necessary.
In conclusion, while the deprecation of WSUS may seem like a setback, it’s a call to modernize and adopt more scalable, cloud-ready solutions. Whether you choose Microsoft’s ecosystem or third-party tools, the key is to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient update management for your servers. For further reading, explore the links provided above to stay ahead in this evolving landscape.
References:
Hackers Feeds, Undercode AI
