Windows Server Update Services

Windows Server® Update Services (WSUS) enables information technology administrators to deploy the latest Microsoft product updates to computers that are running supported Microsoft operating systems. For information about supported operating systems and other system requirements for WSUS, refer to the WSUS Release Notes.

By using WSUS, administrators can fully manage the distribution of updates that are released through Microsoft Update to computers in their network. WSUS provides a management infrastructure that consists of the following:

• Microsoft Update: The Microsoft Web site that distributes updates of Microsoft products.
  
  
• Windows Server Update Services server: This component is installed on a server inside the corporate firewall. The WSUS server lets administrators to manage and distribute updates through the WSUS administration console, which can be installed on any Windows-based computer in the domain. In addition, a WSUS server can be the update source for other WSUS servers within the organization. At least one WSUS server in the network must connect to Microsoft Update for available update information. The administrator can determine, based on network security and configuration, whether other servers should connect directly to Microsoft Update.
  
  
• Automatic Updates: This component is built into supported operating systems. Automatic Updates enables both server and client computers to receive updates from Microsoft Update or from a WSUS server.
  
  

WSUS checklists and introductory topics