Delete updates from WSUS console with PowerShell

Menta Elise 215 Reputation points
2023-07-24T15:53:49.96+00:00

I have a WSUS used with SCCM, I see too many unwanted updates in WSUS console, can I delete multiple updates manually by PowerShell?

Additionally, does SCCM recognize that deleted updates no longer exist and automatically remove the updates in SCCM console?

Microsoft Security Intune Configuration Manager Other
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  1. AllenLiu-MSFT 49,311 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2023-07-25T01:56:33.58+00:00

    Hi, @Menta Elise

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Q&A forum.

    Yes, you can delete updates in WSUS using PowerShell. However, it's recommended to decline updates instead of deleting them to ensure there are no unforeseen consequences on the SCCM server's update management.

    SCCM recognizes that declined updates no longer need to be installed on clients and won't deploy them unless they're approved again in WSUS. SCCM can also synchronize with WSUS and remove declined updates from its list of updates available for deployment.


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  1. Adam J. Marshall 10,281 Reputation points MVP
    2023-07-27T14:31:49.8633333+00:00

    Yes, it's possible to delete updates from the database using PowerShell's APIs - this is what WSUS Automated Maintenance (Full disclosure - WAM is our software) does.

    Declining does help as computers will no longer scan against declined updates, but keeping things nice and clean sometimes requires removals.

    Ensure you're revisiting your Product list (in your case, from the Software Update Point Component Properties in ConfigMgr) every few months (we recommend twice a year) and removing that are no longer in your environment or adding products that you now have in your environment.

    https://www.ajtek.ca/wsus/how-to-setup-manage-and-maintain-wsus-part-8-wsus-server-maintenance/

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