WSUS takes too much space on server

Thank you for your fast response.

That solution wouldn't lower the mdf and ldf size of the database, would it?

The size of the actual database compared to the space used by the umpteen unused windows updates is negligible.

If you REALLY NEED the space back. Add another hard disk and migrate WSUS data to a new drive letter on the server.

I have not used this but here is a link to guide on doing exactly what you are asking. If you can test in a test lab first, all the better.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/sbs/archive/2009/09/23/how-to-move-wsus-content-and-database-files-to-a-different-partition.aspx

It walks you though using the SBS wizard to migrate the actual WSUS content and then MSSQL studio to move the databases.

The mdf file is at around 25Gb, while the windows updates folder is at 20Gb. I just inherited this server and it looks like the guy before me left it to grow out of control. We might not even use WSUS at all but I didn't want to just go in there and delete stuff or uninstall WSUS all together. We might have to do that but I just want to make sure it will not affect anything else on the server.

The above two links should give you what you need

Just an FYI, the WSUS cleanup wizard only gains very minimal space back....Moving the content and database as suggested is the only way to go

@dstewartjr

Run on a regular basis yes but if, as the op suggests, this box has never had any maintenance run on it then it "Can" reclaim quite a bit.

Should I just uninstall it? I think it's an overkill to have it for 5 computers...

If never run, the length of time to run it is much better served by moving it :)

Uninstalling WSUS on SBS tends to break other things

So long as it is removed using SBS and not just deleted it has never caused me or anyone I know an issue.

I was just planning on doing it from 'Programs and Features'. Would that be a problem?


Thanks!