Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2 Support
Migrate to WSUS 4.0 by 2020
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a key component for most organizations, allowing IT administrators to manage the distribution of updates to computers. While WSUS 4.0 is integrated into Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, WSUS 3.0 SP2 is a separate product that could be installed on Windows Server 2008 R2 and earlier Windows Server releases.
Originally, support for WSUS 3.0 SP2 was scheduled to end in 2017. However, this was not aligned with the support lifecycle for Windows Server 2008 R2, which is supported until January 14, 2020. As a result, the support lifecycle for WSUS 3.0 SP2 has been extended to January 14, 2020.
Although this gives additional time to migrate from WSUS 3.0 SP2 to later versions, performing this migration for all WSUS servers across a large organization is by no means an overnight operation. Therefore, now is the time to start planning this migration to WSUS 4.0 to take advantage of new functionality available in that version:
Support for deployment of Windows 10 feature updates (added via KB3159706). (WSUS 3.0 only supports the installation of Windows 10 quality updates, i.e. monthly patches.)
PowerShell cmdlets to support automating WSUS administrative tasks.
Additional documentation is available to help with the migration process, both for WSUS itself and for products that leverage WSUS:
Migrate Windows Server Update Services to Windows Server 2012 R2. This document describes the process to migrate an existing Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 SP2 server role to a destination server that is running Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2.
Migrate from System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to Configuration Manager current branch.
Migrate from System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to Configuration Manager 2012.
Migrate from Windows Small Business Server 2011 to Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials. These guides provide information about how to migrate to Windows Server Essentials from an existing installation of Windows Small Business Server or Windows Server Essentials, and include information about how to prepare and plan for specific Windows Server Essentials migration scenarios.