Your days of driver sync via Windows Server Update Services are numbered
(2025/02/19)
- Reference: 1739975410
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/02/19/wsus_drive_sync_deprecated/
- Source link:
Microsoft has issued administrators a 60-day warning – driver synchronization using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) will be deprecated.
The [1]announcement was made in the Windows Message Center and is a reminder for administrators still unable to persuade the C-suite to take action that the countdown is approaching its terminal phase.
WSUS driver synchronization allows admins to deploy driver updates by synchronizing their WSUS server with the Microsoft Update Catalog. However, Microsoft wants customers to dispense with "their WSUS server" and manage their driver updates through its cloud services instead.
[2]
A Microsoft survey in 2024 showed that 34 percent of respondents used WSUS to synchronize drivers. It [3]said : "Most of this 34 percent reported that they are in the process of implementing a different solution." However, 8 percent were worried about the effects of deprecation.
[4]
[5]
Tired admins might question the size of the [6]survey . We've asked, but Microsoft has not given us a figure. The survey looked more like it was Microsoft testing the waters to understand how annoyed admins might be rather than asking if the change should be made.
[7]Microsoft hits go on Windows 11 24H2: Fresh features, bugs, and a whole lotta AI
[8]Admins using Windows Server Update Services up in arms as Microsoft deprecates feature
[9]Microsoft adds features to Windows 11 monthly – managing it is your problem
[10]VMware, Windows 11 shafted by Windows Server 2022
The service is scheduled for deprecation on April 18, 2025. "For on-premises contexts, drivers will be available on the Microsoft Update Catalog, but you won't be able to import them into WSUS."
There's always the option of [11]Device Driver Packages or a move to cloud-based driver services like Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch.
WSUS is also on the chopping block – Microsoft [12]added it to the deprecation list in September 2024 . The feature won't be removed for now, but Microsoft is no longer actively developing it and may retire it in the future.
[13]
Similarly, the deprecation of driver synchronization does not mean the feature will be removed, however, not being able to import drivers from the Microsoft Update catalog into WSUS is less than ideal.
It is more of a warning that admins should switch to a different solution to keep drivers up to date if haven't already. ®
Get our [14]Tech Resources
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows-message-center#3482
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/deprecation-of-wsus-driver-synchronization/4177831
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows-servicing/help-smooth-wsus-driver-sync-deprecation/4000189
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/02/windows_11_24h2/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/23/microsoft_wsus_deprecation/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/02/windows_11_continuous_innovation/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/16/microsoft_windows_server_vmware/
[11] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/device-drivers-and-deployment-overview?view=windows-11
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/23/microsoft_wsus_deprecation/
[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The [1]announcement was made in the Windows Message Center and is a reminder for administrators still unable to persuade the C-suite to take action that the countdown is approaching its terminal phase.
WSUS driver synchronization allows admins to deploy driver updates by synchronizing their WSUS server with the Microsoft Update Catalog. However, Microsoft wants customers to dispense with "their WSUS server" and manage their driver updates through its cloud services instead.
[2]
A Microsoft survey in 2024 showed that 34 percent of respondents used WSUS to synchronize drivers. It [3]said : "Most of this 34 percent reported that they are in the process of implementing a different solution." However, 8 percent were worried about the effects of deprecation.
[4]
[5]
Tired admins might question the size of the [6]survey . We've asked, but Microsoft has not given us a figure. The survey looked more like it was Microsoft testing the waters to understand how annoyed admins might be rather than asking if the change should be made.
[7]Microsoft hits go on Windows 11 24H2: Fresh features, bugs, and a whole lotta AI
[8]Admins using Windows Server Update Services up in arms as Microsoft deprecates feature
[9]Microsoft adds features to Windows 11 monthly – managing it is your problem
[10]VMware, Windows 11 shafted by Windows Server 2022
The service is scheduled for deprecation on April 18, 2025. "For on-premises contexts, drivers will be available on the Microsoft Update Catalog, but you won't be able to import them into WSUS."
There's always the option of [11]Device Driver Packages or a move to cloud-based driver services like Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch.
WSUS is also on the chopping block – Microsoft [12]added it to the deprecation list in September 2024 . The feature won't be removed for now, but Microsoft is no longer actively developing it and may retire it in the future.
[13]
Similarly, the deprecation of driver synchronization does not mean the feature will be removed, however, not being able to import drivers from the Microsoft Update catalog into WSUS is less than ideal.
It is more of a warning that admins should switch to a different solution to keep drivers up to date if haven't already. ®
Get our [14]Tech Resources
[1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/windows-message-center#3482
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/deprecation-of-wsus-driver-synchronization/4177831
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows-servicing/help-smooth-wsus-driver-sync-deprecation/4000189
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/02/windows_11_24h2/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/23/microsoft_wsus_deprecation/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/02/windows_11_continuous_innovation/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/16/microsoft_windows_server_vmware/
[11] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/device-drivers-and-deployment-overview?view=windows-11
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/23/microsoft_wsus_deprecation/
[13] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z7YOMjfmiQq7f-id6OA-jwAAARI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[14] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
I don't know why Nadella is doing its best to kill Windows...
kmorwath
... if you force people to the cloud, it might not be the Azure one, especially if you move away people from Windows - and your cloud runs Linux just like any other cloud.
Probably he dreams to fatten his bonuses even more cutting on software development costs as much as he can - but when he awakes, he may find it wasn't a smart move.
What a dick move ...
... But not unexpected. Move everything to the cloud, regulations be damned. This is going to be so much !!fun!!
I liked the headline, in my head it was delivered as in Phantom of the Opera, when they (André or Firmin) read out the letter to that ageing diva. And in my head it continued:
"Be prepared for a great misfortune
Should you attempt to migrate away."
Could somebody sing down a chandelier onto the MS headquarters?