IT admins relying on Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to manage updates across their network need to consider alternatives. Microsoft has announced that it is no longer investing in new capabilities or accepting feature requests for WSUS.
WSUS has been a staple tool since its introduction in 2005 as “Software Update Services.” It allows IT teams to centrally manage and deploy updates across their Windows device fleets from a dedicated server. This capability is crucial for large organizations that need to test and validate updates before rolling them out to thousands of installed systems.
Microsoft has been dropping hints about WSUS’s impending deprecation for a while now. The company has listed WSUS as one of the “features removed or no longer developed” in Windows Server 2025. This week’s official announcement marks the beginning of WSUS’s life as a frozen-in-time legacy product.
Microsoft states that it will preserve current functionality and continue to publish updates through the WSUS channel even after its deprecated status. However, the long-term plan is for enterprises to migrate to Microsoft’s newer cloud-based update management solutions.
These solutions include:
These cloud-based solutions would replace the need to host local WSUS servers on-premises. However, they require an internet connection and may not be suitable for some highly secured corporate networks.