Microsoft has formally introduced that Home windows Server Replace Companies (WSUS) is now deprecated, however plans to take care of present performance and proceed publishing updates by the channel.
This transfer is not stunning, 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 might additionally quickly deprecate WSUS driver synchronization.
Launched in 2005 as Software program Replace Companies (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 presents centralized management over updates moderately than having every machine obtain them individually from Microsoft’s servers.
Whereas new options and improvement for WSUS will stop, Microsoft mentioned immediately that it plans to proceed supporting the service’s present performance and updates, which can nonetheless be distributed, even after deprecation.
“Particularly, which means that we’re now not investing in new capabilities, nor are we accepting new characteristic requests for WSUS,” Microsoft’s Nir Froimovici mentioned on Friday. “Nonetheless, we’re preserving present performance and can proceed to publish updates by the WSUS channel. We may also help any content material already revealed by the WSUS channel.”
The change impacts enterprise environments that depend on WSUS to handle updates delivered to many units however does not impression house customers or these utilizing Microsoft Configuration Supervisor.
After WSUS’ deprecation, Microsoft encourages companies to undertake cloud-based options for shopper and server updates, comparable to Home windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Replace Supervisor.
“Whereas the WSUS position stays obtainable in Home windows Server 2025, we suggest organizations transition to cloud instruments, together with together with Home windows Autopatch and Microsoft Intune for shopper replace administration and Azure Replace Supervisor 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 formally deprecated NTLM authentication on Home windows and Home windows servers, advising builders to transition to Kerberos or Negotiation authentication to forestall future issues.