Microsoft Postpones WSUS Driver Sync Deprecation: Essential Updates for IT Professionals

Key Update on WSUS Driver Synchronization

Microsoft has responded to extensive customer feedback by indefinitely postponing the removal of driver synchronization in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), ensuring administrators continue to receive critical service updates.

Customer Feedback Drives Decision

Customer-focused revision: As many organizations transition to cloud-based alternatives, Microsoft initially planned to phase out WSUS driver synchronization. However, after hearing from users about challenges in disconnected environments, Senior Program Manager Paul Reed confirmed, “We’ve revised our approach based on your invaluable input.” WSUS driver sync will remain available beyond its originally scheduled end date of April 18, 2025.

Timeline Adjustments and Future Plans

New timelines being drafted: Microsoft is now working on a new timeline to phase out WSUS driver sync while enhancing overall service efficiency. They continue to encourage IT administrators to consider modern cloud-based solutions for managing updates.

Past Announcements and Migration Encouragement

Over the past year, Microsoft had issued several notifications about their plan to discontinue WSUS driver synchronization. They encouraged the shift towards innovative cloud solutions such as Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Update Manager, aiming to streamline update processes.

WSUS: A Staple in IT Administration

Launched nearly two decades ago, WSUS has been an essential tool for IT administrators to distribute and manage updates across extensive network systems, thereby reducing the dependency on individual endpoint updates from Microsoft’s central servers.

Additional Deprecations and Recommendations

In tandem with WSUS updates, Microsoft in June 2024 also deprecated the Windows NTLM authentication protocol, recommending a shift to more secure systems like Kerberos or Negotiation authentication to avoid potential security issues in the future.

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