How to configure Workgroup to receive updates from WSUS

Question

Hi Guys I have WSUS server and is working fine with active diectory. but how can I connect workgroup pcs running on windows xp to WSUS without joining them to AD? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I use the following batch script to flip-flop systems on and off WSUS. It works great to quickly get formatted systems updated before we give them away.

Change [SERVER] to your WSUS server under the :USEWSUS section.

@echo off
:START
cls
echo Temporary WSUS Script
echo ==============================
echo This script will flip between using the internal WSUS server and Microsoft's servers.
echo.
set /p WSUSSETTING=Type [W] to use WSUS or [C] to clear the setting and use MS servers: 

IF /i (%WSUSSETTING%) == (W) goto CONTINUE
if /i (%WSUSSETTING%) == (C) goto CONTINUE

echo.
echo Error: Invalid selection
pause
goto START

:CONTINUE
echo Stopping Update Services...
net stop wuauserv
echo Deleting timeout registry entries (Safe to ignore errors)...
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update" /v LastWaitTimeout /f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update" /v DetectionStartTime /f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update" /v NextDetectionTime /f

IF /i (%WSUSSETTING%) == (W) goto USEWSUS
IF /i (%WSUSSETTING%) == (C) goto USEMS

:USEWSUS
echo Changing update server to local WSUS server...
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v WUServer /t REG_SZ /d "http://[SERVER]:8530" /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v WUStatusServer /t REG_SZ /d "http://[SERVER]:8530" /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v NoAutoUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v AUOptions /t REG_DWORD /d 3 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v AutoInstallMinorUpdate /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v UseWUServer /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
goto COMPLETE

:USEMS
echo Clearing WSUS update server...
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v WUServer /f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /v WUStatusServer /f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" /v UseWUServer /f
goto COMPLETE


:COMPLETE
echo Starting Update Services...
net start wuauserv

:END
echo ---
echo Complete.
pause

Answer 2

You can make the same changes required by updating the registry directly; a quick search brought me to this link which looks like it has the correct information. If not, a little bit more thorough search on your part will likely get you the information you're missing.

Answer 3

If it is Professional Edition, you can use local Group Policy as well. Run gpedit.msc and browse to "Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update".