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Microsoft Windows Server Update Services pros and cons

Vendor: Microsoft

3.9 out of 5

52 reviews
86% willing to recommend

Pros & Cons summary

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services provides centralized management for security updates, eliminating the need for internet at each node. It offers scalability and integrates with Group Policy Objects for efficient update deployment. Its low cost adds significant value, supporting compliance and security. However, it requires improved reporting, better third-party integration, and enhanced engine fixes for clients. Larger organizations face scalability issues, and cross-platform patch management is needed.

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services provides a central management interface for deploying updates, allowing users to manage updates efficiently across all clients and servers without internet dependency.

Its ability to decrease network internet usage and its integration with Group Policy Objects are highly valued features, making it efficient for large-scale deployments.

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services is praised for its stability, scalability, and effective performance in handling extensive services and workloads.

The platform offers robust security patch-level services essential for maintaining network security and has reduced application crashes by ensuring updated versions.

Cost-efficiency is notable, requiring no additional licensing fees, making it a favorable choice for organizations.

CONS

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services requires improvements in scalability and performance for larger organizations.

There is a need for enhanced integration with third-party management and applications.

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services should address issues with deployment and reliability to ensure effective functionality on client systems.

Additional tools are necessary to fix engine issues, and more patch management options across platforms are desired.

Support and reporting features of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services need significant enhancements, as current capabilities lag behind competitors.

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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NN

IT Manager at Handi Quilter, Inc.

Jul 2, 2025

Microsoft support is the best support of all support, at a certain level.

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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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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: October 2025.

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Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees

Oct 30, 2025

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services supports our regular requests for reliable systems, and updates are part of the process of keeping those systems stable, reliable, and confidential.

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MR

Manager at Stark International

Oct 31, 2022

The performance has been okay.

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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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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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Senior Oracle DBA at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees

Oct 30, 2025

I would like the updates to be less often and more rarely because they have a high impact on our team since we use these machines for some operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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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: October 2025.

873,003 professionals have used our research since 2012.

MR

Manager at Stark International

Oct 31, 2022

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

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Senior Technical Engineer at Hitachi Systems, Ltd.

Jul 2, 2025

Microsoft Windows Server Update Services should improve its patching solution by providing offline patches because most customers are not willing to provide direct internet access to Microsoft cloud and don't want to expose their workstations through the internet.

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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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Product Categories

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Popular Comparisons

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Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Microsoft Windows Server Update Services

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