Microsoft has formally introduced that Home windows Server Replace Providers (WSUS) is now deprecated, however plans to take care of present performance and proceed publishing updates by means of the channel.
This transfer is not stunning, as Microsoft first listed WSUS as one of many “options eliminated or not developed beginning with Home windows Server 2025” on August 13. In June, the corporate additionally revealed that it might additionally quickly deprecate WSUS driver synchronization.
Launched in 2005 as Software program Replace Providers (SUS), WSUS permits IT directors to handle and distribute updates for Microsoft merchandise throughout giant company networks that require constant and managed updates for giant numbers of Home windows units. It acts as an middleman and presents centralized management over updates fairly than having every gadget obtain them individually from Microsoft’s servers.
Whereas new options and growth for WSUS will stop, Microsoft stated right now that it plans to proceed supporting the service’s current performance and updates, which can nonetheless be distributed, even after deprecation.
“Particularly, which means we’re not investing in new capabilities, nor are we accepting new characteristic requests for WSUS,” Microsoft’s Nir Froimovici stated on Friday. “Nonetheless, we’re preserving present performance and can proceed to publish updates by means of the WSUS channel. We may also assist any content material already revealed by means of the WSUS channel.”
The change impacts enterprise environments that depend on WSUS to handle updates delivered to many units however does not affect house customers or these utilizing Microsoft Configuration Supervisor.
After WSUS’ deprecation, Microsoft encourages companies to undertake cloud-based options for consumer and server updates, corresponding to Home windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Replace Supervisor.
“Whereas the WSUS function stays accessible in Home windows Server 2025, we suggest organizations transition to cloud instruments, together with together with Home windows Autopatch and Microsoft Intune for consumer replace administration and Azure Replace Supervisor for server replace administration,” Froimovici stated.
“Keep in mind: WSUS stays operational however is not investing in new options,” he added.
In June, Microsoft additionally introduced that it had formally deprecated NTLM authentication on Home windows and Home windows servers, advising builders to transition to Kerberos or Negotiation authentication to stop future issues.
