Step 1: Install the WSUS Server Role

Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

The next step in the deployment of your WSUS server is to install the WSUS server role. The following procedure describes how to install the WSUS server role by using Server Manager.

To install the WSUS server role

1. Log on to the server on which you plan to install the WSUS server role by using an account that is a member of the Local Administrators group.

2. In Server Manager, click Manage, and then click add Roles and Features.

3. On the Before you begin page, click Next.

4. In the select installation type page, confirm that Role-based or feature-based installation option is selected and click Next.

5. On the select destination server page, choose where the server is located (from a server pool or from a virtual hard disk). After you select the location, choose the server on which you want to install the WSUS server role, and then click Next.

6. On the select server roles page, select Windows Server Update Services. Add features that are required for Windows Server Update Services opens. Click Add Features, and then click Next.

7. On the select features page, retain the default selections, and then click Next.

   Important

   WSUS only requires the default Web Server role configuration. If you are prompted for additional Web Server role configuration while setting up WSUS you can safely accept the default values and continue setting up WSUS.

8. On the Windows Server Update Services page, click Next.

9. On the Select Role Services page, leave the default selections, and then click Next.

   Tip

   You must select one Database type. If the database options are all cleared (not selected), post installation tasks will fail.

10. On the Content location selection page, type a valid location to store the updates. For example, you can create a folder named WSUS_database at the root of drive K specifically for this purpose, and type k:\WSUS_database as the valid location.

11. Click Next. The Web Server Role (IIS) page opens. Review the information, and then click Next. In select the role services to install for Web Server (IIS), retain the defaults, and then click Next.

12. On the Confirm installation selections page, review the selected options, and then click Install. The WSUS installation wizard runs. This might take several minutes to complete.

13. Once WSUS installation is complete, in the summary window on the Installation progress page, click Launch Post-Installation tasks. The text changes, requesting: Please wait while your server is configured. When the task has finished, the text changes to: Configuration successfully completed. Click Close.

14. In Server Manager, verify if a notification appears to inform you that a restart is required. This can vary according to the installed server role. If it requires a restart make sure to restart the server to complete the installation.