Backup and Restore WSUS Data

Applies To: Windows Server 2003 with SP2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, Windows Server Update Services, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Standard

You should regularly back up the WSUS database to safeguard the state of the WSUS network. The WSUS configuration information (administrative settings, computer groups, group membership, and the installation status of updates) is stored in the WSUS database.

You might also want to back up locally stored update files, but this is a less important maintenance task. You can always recover lost update content by synchronizing to Microsoft Update, although this process can take some time.

To back up locally stored update files, you must back up the WSUS\WSUSContent folder on the largest partition of your WSUS server. You should also back up the \WSUS\UpdateServicesPackage folder on the largest partition of your WSUS server. This folder contains .msi files that are used to repair locally published packages.

To back up and restore content folders, use the backup and restore utility that is used by your organization to back up other server content.

To back up and restore the WSUS database, see How to: Back Up a Database (SQL Server Management Studio) and How to: Restore a Backup from a Device (SQL Server Management Studio)