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 via the channel.
This transfer is not shocking, as Microsoft first listed WSUS as one of many “options eliminated or now not developed beginning with Home windows Server 2025” on August 13. In June, the corporate additionally revealed that it could 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 massive company networks that require constant and managed updates for giant numbers of Home windows units. It acts as an middleman and gives centralized management over updates slightly than having every system obtain them individually from Microsoft’s servers.
Whereas new options and improvement for WSUS will stop, Microsoft mentioned at present that it plans to proceed supporting the service’s present performance and updates, which is able to nonetheless be distributed, even after deprecation.
“Particularly, which means that we’re now not investing in new capabilities, nor are we accepting new function requests for WSUS,” Microsoft’s Nir Froimovici said on Friday. “Nonetheless, we’re preserving present performance and can proceed to publish updates via the WSUS channel. We may even help any content material already revealed via 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, equivalent to Home windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Replace Supervisor.
“Whereas the WSUS function stays obtainable in Home windows Server 2025, we suggest organizations transition to cloud instruments, together with together with Windows Autopatch and Microsoft Intune for consumer replace administration and Azure Update Manager for server replace administration,” Froimovici mentioned.
“Keep in mind: WSUS stays operational however is now not investing in new options,” he added.
In June, Microsoft additionally introduced that it had officially deprecated NTLM authentication on Home windows and Home windows servers, advising builders to transition to Kerberos or Negotiation authentication to stop future issues.
