This article covers the steps to install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server. Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 2 (WSUS 3.0 SP2) provides a comprehensive solution for managing updates to your network.

The installation of WSUS 3.0 SP2 is basic and can be completed quickly. Whats important is the WSUS configuration and managing the WSUS.

WSUS is a computer program developed by Microsoft that enables administrators to manage the distribution of updates and hotfixes released for Microsoft products to computers in a corporate environment.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

WSUS downloads these updates from the Microsoft Update website and then distributes them to computers on a network. The WSUS infrastructure allows automatic downloads of updates, hotfixes, service packs, device drivers and feature packs to clients in an organization from a central server(s).

WSUS 3.0 SP2 Lab Setup

We will be installing WSUS role on a separate server. Our lab requirements are listed below :

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 1
WSUS 3.0 SP2 Lab Setup

The name of the domain will be PRAJWAL.LOCAL. The Domain controller AD.PRAJWAL.LOCAL will be running DNS service along with Active Directory Domain Services.

The WSUS role will be installed on WSUS.PRAJWAL.LOCAL machine. We will use an account named “wsusadmin” to install and configure WSUS. The WSUS installation and configuration will be performed using this account, the user account wsusadmin will be the member of domain admins group.

To log in to the client machine CLIENT.PRAJWAL.LOCAL, we will use a test user account.

For WSUS hardware requirements, database requirements and prerequisites, please refer to this link.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites

We will now install all the prerequisites required for WSUS 3.0 SP2. Login to Windows Server and launch the Server Manager. Right click Features and select Add Features.

On the Select Features Page click .NET Framework 3.5.1 Features, a window pops up asking you to install additional role services, click on Add Required Role Services. Click Next.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites
Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites

Once you have selected the required features, click Next.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites
Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites

The following IIS services must be installed and running for WSUS to work:

  • HTTP Static Content
  • ASP.NET
  • Windows authentication
  • Dynamic content compression
  • IIS Metabase Compatibility
Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites
Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 Prerequisites

On the Confirmation window, click Install.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 5

The selected services have been installed. Click Close.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 6

Install Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008

Before we install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on our server, we require another software called Microsoft Report viewer redistributable 2008.

The Microsoft Report Viewer 2008 Redistributable Package includes Windows Forms and ASP.NET Web server controls for viewing reports designed using Microsoft reporting technology.

Run the report viewer setup file and click Next.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 7
Install Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008

Accept the license terms and click Install.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 8
Install Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008

The Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 setup is complete. Click Finish.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 9
Install Microsoft Report Viewer Redistributable 2008

You may want to restart the server after installing the report viewer.

Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server

Let’s install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server. You can install the WSUS 3.0 SP2 by launching the Server Manager > Roles > Add Roles > Windows Server Update Services.

Since we have already downloaded the setup file we will use the setup file to launch the installation of WSUS.

Right-click WSUS30-KB972455-x64.exe and run as administrator. On the Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2 Setup Wizard page click Next.

Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server
Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server

Select Full Server installation including Administrator Console. click Next.

Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server
Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server

Read the license terms and click on I accept the terms of the license agreement. Click Next.

Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server
Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server

On the Select Update Source page, you must specify a location to store the WSUS updates. You can store the updates locally (on the same server) or choose a network location.

We will store the updates locally and the updates will store on other drive E. It’s not recommended to store the updates on C drive because if the OS crashes then the updates are also lost along with it. Click Next.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 13
Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server | Select Update Source

Click the first option, Use the existing IIS Default website (recommended). Click Next.

Installing WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server Snap 14

The WSUS 3.0 SP2 takes approximately. 2-3 minutes to complete installation. Once the installation is complete, click Finish.

Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server
Install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server

This completes the steps to download and install WSUS 3.0 SP2 on Windows Server. Check out the next set of guides that you need to configure WSUS.

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Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.