You might have seen a notification about an update for WSUS 4.0, specifically KB 3095113, and wondered, "What's this all about?" Especially if you're managing Windows updates, the term 'anonymous updates' can sound a bit mysterious, or perhaps even a little concerning. Let's break down what this update is really for and why it matters for how you handle Windows 10.
First off, let's clear up a common misconception. If your main goal is simply to get regular Windows 10 security updates and other 'quality' updates pushed out through WSUS, you might not actually need this specific patch. WSUS, in its core functionality, is designed to handle standard updates for Windows 10 just like it does for previous versions. So, if you're not planning on deploying the big feature updates – those major version upgrades that fundamentally change the operating system – you can likely continue as usual without installing KB 3095113.
However, Windows 10 is a bit different. Microsoft has shifted towards a 'Windows as a Service' model, meaning we're going to see more frequent, significant feature updates. Think of these as major overhauls rather than just minor fixes. To properly manage and deploy these feature updates through WSUS, your system needs a little nudge. That's where KB 3095113 comes in. It essentially enables WSUS to recognize and handle a new type of update content, specifically classified as 'Upgrades.'
Why is this distinction important? Well, imagine you're managing a large organization. Wiping and reloading machines with new Windows builds every time a major update rolls out is incredibly time-consuming and disruptive. The 'Windows as a Service' approach, facilitated by these feature updates, aims to make that process much smoother, almost like an in-place upgrade. But for WSUS to facilitate this, it needs to understand this new 'Upgrade' classification.
Now, about that 'boilerplate text' you sometimes see on hotfixes, like "do not install unless you are experiencing this issue." It can make you pause, right? The team released KB 3095113 as a hotfix to give administrators ample time to prepare before the Windows 10 1511 feature update arrived on WSUS. They've tested it thoroughly, just like any other Windows Update. So, there's no inherent risk in installing it on your WSUS 4.0 servers.
Here's the crucial part, the "important caution" to keep in mind: If you enable the 'Upgrades' classification in your WSUS options before installing KB 3095113, you might run into trouble. WSUS might see these feature updates, but it won't be able to download or deploy them correctly. This can lead to populating your WSUS database (SUSDB) with data that's essentially unusable. Recovering from this isn't a walk in the park, though it is possible. The simplest way to avoid this headache entirely is to install the patch first, and then enable the sync for 'Upgrades.'
So, what does this mean for your day-to-day? If you're happy with the traditional 'wipe and load' method for keeping your Windows 10 machines current, you can simply skip enabling the 'Upgrades' sync in WSUS. But if you want to fully embrace the 'Windows as a Service' model, deploy feature updates efficiently, and streamline your upgrade process for your enterprise, then installing KB 3095113 is a necessary step. It's the key to unlocking smoother, more frequent Windows 10 build deployments through your WSUS infrastructure.
