wsus

WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) is a Microsoft tool that allows administrators to manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in a corporate environment.

WSUS works by connecting to the Microsoft Update servers to download the latest updates and then distributing them to client computers on the network. It allows administrators to control how updates are deployed, when they are installed, and perform monitoring and reporting on update status.

Some benefits of using WSUS include: centralized control over updates, bandwidth savings by downloading updates once and distributing them locally, improved security by ensuring all machines are up to date, simplified update management through a single console, and reporting capabilities to track update compliance.

WSUS can be used in any organization that wishes to manage and control the deployment of Windows updates to their computers. It is particularly beneficial for larger organizations where managing updates manually becomes impractical.

WSUS primarily focuses on managing Microsoft updates. However, starting with WSUS 3.0, it also supports the distribution of some third-party updates using the Microsoft Update Catalog.

WSUS itself is free to use as it comes bundled with Windows Server. However, it requires a Windows Server license to operate and additional resources for server hardware and storage.

The system requirements for installing WSUS vary depending on factors such as the number of client computers, the amount of updates to be stored locally, and network bandwidth. Generally, it requires a Windows Server operating system and sufficient hardware resources.

Yes, WSUS can be used to deploy feature updates for Windows 10 and Windows Server. Administrators can choose to approve and distribute feature updates as they would with regular updates.

WSUS can be managed through the WSUS administration console, which provides an interface for configuring update synchronization, approving updates, monitoring deployment status, and generating reports. Alternatively, PowerShell cmdlets can be used for automation and scripting tasks.

Yes, there are alternatives to WSUS such as SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) which provides more comprehensive endpoint management capabilities. Additionally, some third-party tools offer similar patch management functionalities.