Only 90 days left: WSUS Driver Synchronization before the end
The distribution of driver updates via WSUS will come to an abrupt end on April 18. Microsoft is now reminding us of this.
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Microsoft is now reminding admins that the time has come in 90 days. The manufacturer will then remove the WSUS function for importing and distributing drivers from the software.
Microsoft had already announced the change for WSUS in the middle of last year. Now the company is reminding users in the Windows Release Health Message Center of the change that will soon come into effect. “If you use Driver Synchronization Updates via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), prepare for changes. The service is on the deprecated features list for April 18, 2025,” writes Microsoft.
Function will be obsolete in less than three months
The company adds: “For on-premises environments, drivers will remain available through the Microsoft Update Catalog, but you will no longer be able to import them into WSUS.” Those affected would have to use one of the alternative solutions available, such as Device Driver Packages. Or use cloud-based driver services for the organization, such as Microsoft's Intune and Windows Autopatch.
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For more detailed explanations, admins should read Microsoft's original announcement again –. However, the server only throws access errors at the time of reporting, but the Internet Archive helps out here. There is little more there than is summarized in our message, only links to the commercial WSUS alternatives mentioned can be found there in addition.
The change is part of the “slow death knell for WSUS”. The update software has been on the list of deprecated features since last fall. Microsoft is no longer investing in new functions, and requests for them are no longer being accepted. However, the final end for WSUS is approaching rather slowly. The previously available functions will be retained and updates will continue to be distributed via the WSUS channel. WSUS is also still available in Windows Server 2025. Based on the available extended support period for the young server operating system, WSUS services will therefore probably remain usable until 2034.
(dmk)
