Microsoft has formally introduced that Home windows Server Replace Providers (WSUS) is now deprecated, however plans to keep up present performance and proceed publishing updates by way 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 big numbers of Home windows gadgets. It acts as an middleman and provides centralized management over updates moderately than having every machine obtain them individually from Microsoft’s servers.
Whereas new options and growth for WSUS will stop, Microsoft mentioned at present that it plans to proceed supporting the service’s current performance and updates, which can nonetheless be distributed, even after deprecation.
“Particularly, which means that we’re not investing in new capabilities, nor are we accepting new function requests for WSUS,” Microsoft’s Nir Froimovici mentioned on Friday. “Nevertheless, we’re preserving present performance and can proceed to publish updates by way of the WSUS channel. We may also help any content material already revealed by way of the WSUS channel.”
The change impacts enterprise environments that depend on WSUS to handle updates delivered to many gadgets however does not affect dwelling customers or these utilizing Microsoft Configuration Supervisor.
After WSUS’ deprecation, Microsoft encourages companies to undertake cloud-based options for consumer and server updates, similar 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 mentioned.
“Bear 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 forestall future issues.