Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a free add-on application offered by Microsoft that can download and manage updates and patches for Windows Server operating systems. It is the successor of the previous Software Update Services (SUS) program. It helps in the constant updating of the wide range of operating systems and related applications provided by Microsoft. It enables the IT administrators of small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) to effectively manage the distribution of updates released to the computers in their network.
Some of the features provided by WSUS are:
- Bandwidth management and network resource optimization
- Automatic download of updates and category-wise downloads
- Targeted download of updates to specific computer or sets of computers
- Enhanced reporting capabilities
- Multiple language support
WSUS controls the distribution of Microsoft updates and packages within an organization and gives the adminstrator the ability to decide whether or not a particular update should be installed on the servers and/or workstations, when it is to be installed and the manner in which it si to be installed. You can decide if it installs automatically, or if it downloads to the machine and notifies the user that an update is ready to install.
It tracks what has been installed per machine and what needs to be installed. A great way of ensuring all our your machines are at the correct patch level. You can also ensure that end users cannot circumvent or disable corporate patching policy. WSUS is available as a free download from Microsoft.
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