Windows Server Update Services (WSUS, I say “wuss”) is sort of a local “Microsoft Update” service that allows an administrator to set up a repository of updates and make them available to client machines. Replaces the old System Update Server (SUS).

Among the things that it does better than SUS are:

• Office updates (woohoo!)
• Keeps track of which machines connected when, what updates they need to install, and some rudimentary inventory information
• Computer groups, which can have different update policies
• Better information about updates, what they require (user input, reboot, etc)
• Reporting.
• at a glance “Home page” showing which updates need approved, machines with update problems, etc.

Notes:

To have a client automatically go through the detection phase: wuauclt.exe /detectnow