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Microsoft Windows Server Update Services pros and cons

Vendor: Microsoft

3.9 out of 5

49 reviews
87% willing to recommend

172 followers

Pros & Cons summary

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services offers centralized update management with automated deployment, enhancing security and reducing crashes. It is stable and scalable, though larger organizations face challenges. The platform leverages Active Directory for efficient updates without extra licensing fees. However, reporting features and third-party integration need improvement, and the setup process can be complex. Limited management console features and connectivity issues are concerns for tech buyers.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services provides a central management interface for deployment, offering limitless possibilities and a wide range of uses.

With automatic installation and distribution of Microsoft security patches, it eliminates the need for an internet connection for server and client updates.

It is highly stable, ensuring efficient updates with minimal crashes and improved performance.

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is cost-effective, requiring no additional licensing fees if Microsoft servers are already licensed.

The platform enhances network security through security patch-level services and simplifies patch management, reducing the need for manual intervention.

CONS

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services lacks support for operating systems like Linux and has limited compatibility with third-party applications.

The reporting and database management features need enhancement, particularly in large environments.

Several scalability issues exist, making it less effective for larger organizations.

Deployment is complicated, and reliability is a concern as policies sometimes do not work effectively with clients.

Patch management and connectivity need improvements, with better handling of third-party patches and platform updates.

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Pros review quotes

SK

System Administrator at Confidential

Nov 2, 2022

Instead of leaving each server to download their own updates, with WSUS you have a centralized management tool for all the updates alongside a log for all the servers. By creating and deploying a WSUS server that will download the updates from the internet and dispatch them to the other servers, you can have control over the entire deployment process.

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RJ

CIO at a logistics company with 51-200 employees

Jul 30, 2019

The solution has great potential and leaves the user with almost limitless possibilities. It is truly a product with a million uses.

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MR

Manager at Stark International

Oct 31, 2022

The performance has been okay.

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Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

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Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Windows Server Update Services. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.

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TEM Practice at Expleogroup

Apr 12, 2023

I am absolutely happy with its stability and performance. It is a stable product.

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JO

Computer network and Data Center administrator at a sports company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Apr 1, 2021

The most important aspect is that we can centrally deploy the updates that are necessary for the organization. It's important.

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Consultant at Pi DATACENTERS

Nov 23, 2022

We can easily download particular patches, and we can apply them on a group basis and policy basis.

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Mashood Atitebi

Global Core Infrastructure Engineer at Finning International Inc

Dec 12, 2023

The noteworthy aspect is the system's capability to handle an extensive range of services and workloads, with the potential for almost unlimited scalability.

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Network Architect at a construction company with 51-200 employees

Jan 15, 2025

It's free. Basically, as long as you have licensed Microsoft servers, you should be good to go.

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Lead - Technical Services at Impetus

Jan 29, 2025

The simplicity of the configuration is a valuable feature for me.

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AI

AleksandarIvanovic

Head of IT department at Monetars

May 13, 2024

The tool's most valuable feature is Active Directory.

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Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Cons review quotes

SK

System Administrator at Confidential

Nov 2, 2022

The main problem with WSUS is that the management console doesn't allow you to do a lot of operations. It's actually quite a primitive console, and has been since day one. In order to be more effective, you need to use another tool from Microsoft that can take advantage of WSUS and also offer you the extra features you need.

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RJ

CIO at a logistics company with 51-200 employees

Jul 30, 2019

Because you have to pay for the product and there may be other good free solutions, this may not be the best choice for a cost-minded organization.

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MR

Manager at Stark International

Oct 31, 2022

A few bugs need to be figured out for the security side.

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Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Free Report: Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Reviews and More

Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Windows Server Update Services. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: February 2025.

839,319 professionals have used our research since 2012.

TEM Practice at Expleogroup

Apr 12, 2023

The only complex part was the solution’s tricky setup phase.

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JO

Computer network and Data Center administrator at a sports company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Apr 1, 2021

The reporting is not as practical as I would like it to be.

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Consultant at Pi DATACENTERS

Nov 23, 2022

They should offer patch management across platforms.

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Mashood Atitebi

Global Core Infrastructure Engineer at Finning International Inc

Dec 12, 2023

One area for potential improvement involves the administrative portal, where numerous options, including asset management and patch management, are integrated.

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Network Architect at a construction company with 51-200 employees

Jan 15, 2025

Typically, they are hesitant to provide good service when a competitor has a better service.

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Lead - Technical Services at Impetus

Jan 29, 2025

Sometimes, I encounter issues with the Windows internal database.

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AI

AleksandarIvanovic

Head of IT department at Monetars

May 13, 2024

The challenges exist according to the planning. For example, if you plan to implement and apply updates to your infrastructure, including servers and clients, you must provide storage information and have a clear plan for that from start to end.

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Product Categories

Product Categories

Patch Management

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Product Categories

Product Categories

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Popular Comparisons

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Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

BigFix vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

NinjaOne vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Kaseya VSA vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Atera vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Automox vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

GFI LanGuard vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Ivanti Neurons Patch for Intune vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Vicarius vRx vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

SanerNow CyberHygiene Platform vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Ivanti Security Controls vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

Qualys Patch Management vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

ManageEngine Patch Connect Plus vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

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