Since Windows 2016 server, it is possible to install the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) directly with a SQL Server database.
In this article we will see how to proceed.
Prerequisites
To install WSUS with a SQL Server database you need:
- Windows 2016 or 2019 server for the WSUS role
- An instance of SQL Server (Express) that can be installed on the WSUS server.
Install the WSUS role
From the server manager, click Add Roles and Features 1 .
![Server manager](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-01-600x284.png)
When launching the wizard, click Next 1 .
![Features wizard](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-02-562x400.png)
Select Role Based Installation or 1 Functionality and click Next 2 .
![Select role](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-03-564x400.png)
Select server 1 and click Next 2 .
![Select server](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-04-563x400.png)
Check the box for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
![Select WSUS](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-05-564x400.png)
Validate dependencies by clicking Add features 1.
![validate dependencies](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-06-367x400.png)
Click Next 1 .
![valid feature](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-07-564x400.png)
Click Next 1 , no functionality is needed.
![click next](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-08-563x400.png)
A summary of the WSUS role is displayed, click Next 1 .
![Resume WSUS](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-09-567x400.png)
Uncheck WID connectivity 1 box and check SQL Server Connectivity 2 then click Next 3 .
![Select SQL Server](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-10-565x400.png)
Configure the storage location for 1 updates on the server and click Next 2 .
![Configure folder](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-11-1-562x400.png)
Configure access to the SQL server (SERVER\INSTANCE) 1 and click on Check connection 2 .
![specify sql server](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-12-561x400.png)
Once the connection is validated 1 , click the Next 2 button.
![connection established](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-13-563x400.png)
A summary of the IIS role is displayed, click Next 1 .
![IIS overview](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-14-562x400.png)
Validate IIS features by clicking Next 1 .
![IIS Features](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-15-565x400.png)
Confirm the installation by clicking Install 1 .
![Start install](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-16-564x400.png)
Wait during the installation …
![wait](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-18-564x400.png)
When the installation is complete, exit the wizard by clicking Close 1 .
![installation completed](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-19-563x400.png)
Now that WSUS roles and features are installed, you must run the post-installation tasks that will create the database. On the server manager, click on the notification icon 1 and then on Launch post-installation tasks 2 .
![tasks post install](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-20-600x279.png)
Wait during the execution which may take several minutes.
![wait](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-21-600x348.png)
The WSUS service is now installed and ready to be configured.
![ready to configure](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-22-600x319.png)
At the location configured to store the databases on the SQL Server instance, you can see that the SUSDB database files have been created.
![Databases files SUSDB](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-23-600x340.png)
Configuration
Launch the WSUS Administration Console to launch the configuration wizard.
![Console WSUS](https://rdr-it.io/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/wsus-on-sql-24-300x67.png)
For the rest of the WSUS configuration, I invite you to read the tutorial: Installing and Configuring WSUS on Windows Server that explains how to configure and install the service.