WSUS Driver Synchronization Still Supported: Is It Relevant in Today’s Endpoint Management Landscape?

Arksoft
May 22
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Microsoft’s update management strategy is evolving quickly. With the increasing adoption of Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopatch, and programmatic driver management, many IT administrators are questioning the future of legacy tools like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

In late 2023, rumors suggested that Microsoft might discontinue driver synchronization support in WSUS, causing concern in enterprises relying on centralized update control. However, after strong community feedback, Microsoft officially confirmed that WSUS will continue to support driver synchronization.

In this article, we’ll explore what this means, how it aligns with Microsoft’s modern endpoint management direction, and what IT professionals should consider when planning their update infrastructure.

What Is Driver Synchronization in WSUS?

WSUS is a well-established solution for distributing Microsoft updates — including Windows patches, security fixes, and feature updates — from a central on-premises server. By enabling the “Drivers” classification, WSUS can also sync WHQL-signed drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

This feature is especially valuable in environments where:
- Internet access is restricted or unavailable
- Hardware diversity is high across the organization
- Strict control over update deployment and approval is required

In the “New Service Properties” window:

Startup: Set to Automatic – so the service starts at boot.
Service name: CustomService – this must match the actual service name.
Service action: Choose Start service – ensures the service is running.
Wait timeout if service is locked: Set a wait time (e.g., 30 seconds) if the service is temporarily locked.
Log on as: Leave as “No change” unless you need it to run under a specific account.

Was WSUS Driver Synchronization Really Being Deprecated?

Microsoft’s “Deprecated Features for Windows Client” documentation sparked confusion when it emphasized cloud-based management tools like Intune and Windows Update for Business, without explicitly mentioning WSUS.

Though WSUS was not officially deprecated, the shift in focus raised concerns. Fortunately, Microsoft later clarified the situation:

WSUS driver synchronization is still supported. This reassurance means organizations using WSUS for driver deployment can continue doing so confidently, at least for now.

Enables centralized control over critical services.
Ensures consistent startup behavior across all endpoints.
Eliminates the need for manual intervention by IT staff.
Helps maintain security and service reliability, especially for custom-built or security-related services.

The Emergence of Intune for Driver Update Management

Microsoft is clearly steering towards a cloud-native management model. According to the official Windows Driver Update Management in Intune documentation, Intune offers:

Automatic driver targeting based on hardware
Compatibility validation to avoid driver misapplication
Policy-based deployment to specific groups or device collections

These capabilities provide increased automation and flexibility — ideal for hybrid and remote workforces.

Windows Autopatch and Programmatic Driver Controls

For larger, more advanced environments, Microsoft promotes Windows Autopatch with programmatic control over driver and firmware updates. These features enable IT admins to:

Define driver update policies and deployment windows
Target specific device groups for rollout
Programmatically include or exclude drivers

This modern approach supports automated update orchestration, but requires Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and Intune integration.

Should You Still Use WSUS in 2025?

Despite the push toward modern solutions, WSUS remains a vital tool — particularly for organizations with:

Offline (air-gapped) environments
GPO-based (Group Policy) management
SCCM (ConfigMgr) integrations
A need for manual control and approval workflows

The continued support for WSUS driver sync confirms its ongoing relevance in traditional IT infrastructures.

Recommended Scenarios for Update Management

Using WSUS Only:

Continue using WSUS for driver synchronization. Microsoft has confirmed support, so if your environment depends on it and it works — no changes are necessary.

Using WSUS + SCCM (ConfigMgr):

Leverage SCCM’s powerful driver management and packaging features while using WSUS in the background for update synchronization. This hybrid model provides robust deployment control.

Planning a Move to Intune:

Begin using Intune’s native driver update capabilities, which offer dynamic targeting, automatic compatibility checks, and policy-based control — perfect for modern cloud-managed devices.

Hybrid Environment (WSUS + SCCM + Intune):

Split responsibilities across platforms:

Use Intune for cloud-managed devices
Use SCCM for task sequence and image-based deployments
Use WSUS as the centralized update source

This layered approach enables a gradual transition while maintaining full update control.

Conclusion: WSUS vs. Modern Management Tools

WSUS may not be cloud-native, but it’s still:

Reliable
Controllable
Cost-effective

Especially for static environments, legacy systems, or tightly regulated networks, WSUS remains indispensable.

That said, Microsoft is clearly investing in Intune, Autopatch, and AI-enhanced update automation. Forward-thinking IT teams should consider adopting these tools gradually to benefit from advanced targeting, analytics, and reduced manual effort.