Windows Server 2003 - WSUS Folder

Hi,

As a initial step, you can run WSUS cleanup wizard to remove old updates, unwanted updates, superseeded updates etc. So, that you will get little more free space. Which drive is holding the content store and DB files? If it's C then i would suggest you to move it to another drive.

How to move? refer this article https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/sbs/2009/09/23/how-to-move-wsus-content-and-database-files-to-a-different-volume/ 

PS - Though it's for Essentials and Small business, the steps are same

Hello, yes is C. I dont have any other drive available. Can I add an External HDD and move the WSUS folder there? What will happen in that case if I reboot server? Also what will happen if I stop the WSUS service which I dont need it and delete WSUS folder (or just back up it).

Also can I just shrink the mdf file? i dont have any SQL client in that server. Can I do it on another server and move mdf back there after shrinking it?

Hi,

Yes, you can connect an external USB drive and move the content. Once you moved the C drive will get free up space automatically. So, reboot won't be any harm in that case.

It's always recommend to use WSUS in order to get Windows updates for the server and machines in the network. But, in your case, it's 2003 server and MS stopped releasing updates for 2003 server and they no longer support. So, you remove WSUS if you don't want.

So If I:

1. Cut WSUS Folder and paste it on external DRIVE just for Backup Reasons

2. Then via IIS (if I am not mistaken) go and stop the WSUS service (how is actually working)?

3. Reboot the server, will the machine face issues while restarting? Or WSUS has nothing to do with OS so I will not face issues if I just kill that service and manually delete the folder?

Hi,

1) Stop the WSUS related services from services.msc
2) Go to IIS and stop the WSUS administration website
3)  Cut WSUS Folder and paste it on external DRIVE just for Backup Reasons
4) Reboot the server, this won't harm the server as WSUS isn't system state, it's a role.

OK, Before mark this as the BEST SOLUTION here are my final questions:

1. Related services are Update Services and WSuCertServer? Should I also disable them?
2. From IIS to stop the WsusPool?

Thanks! Which means that if I actually disable Updates Services and Stop the WsUsPool the SUSDM.mdf file shall remain with the same filesize as well as SUSDB_log.ldf forever? No other service revokes their attention to write and expand their size, correct? or there is something i miss here?

Hi,

Yes, that's correct. But you need to stop and disable the 'Windows Internal Database' service as well, as this is the WSUS database which will try to re-instate the WSUS DB in the background. Also, along with Wsuspool, you need to stop the WSUS administration website as well.

Cool! Where will i see WSUS administration website so I can stop it?

Hi,

Go to IIS and locate the WSUS Administration site. If you are unable to see it then probably this would have configured under 'Default Website'.

this is what i see

It's under Default Website in your case

Excellent Assistance!