Microsoft has announced some important changes coming to Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). The company detailed in a blog post that customers will now have to use a PowerShell script to import updates for Windows devices.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a solution that allows IT admins to manage the distribution and installation of updates and patches for Windows and other Microsoft products. The service is designed to streamline the update deployment process and ensure that all Windows PCs are updated in a timely manner. It offers features like centralized management, automatic update synchronization, approval process, and as well reporting and monitoring capabilities.
Up until now, Windows Server Update Services allowed administrators to import updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog website. Microsoft says the Import Updates function was created using the legacy ActiveX technology. The company has now dropped ActiveX support in favor of modern technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript.
Starting this week, Windows Server Update Services will automatically redirect customers to a support page that contains a PowerShell script to import updates. “Regularly updating your devices and doing so in safest ways possible will help keep devices at your organization even more protected,” Microsoft explained.
How to use a PowerShell script to import updates into WSUS
To use the PowerShell script to import Windows updates into WSUS, IT admins will need to follow these steps:
- Saving the script as “ImportUpdatesIntoWSUS.ps1” on their computers.
- Opening the Microsoft Update Catalog site and searching for the updates that they want to import.
- Copying the “UpdateID” to use in the PowerShell script. IT Pros will need to mention each UpdateID on a separate line to import multiple updates.
Microsoft notes that administrators will need to open a PowerShell console and run the script with administrative privileges. However, it’s important to ensure that the imported updates have been downloaded successfully.