How do I disable WSUS for a single server?

Scenario:

• A few Windows 2003 servers, part of our corporate network
• Corporate IT has set up a WSUS server.
• But it seems Corporate IT is unable to operate the WSUS server properly. On "my" servers, I get 'unable to download updates'-messages in the event log regularly. And no patches are downloaded/installed to the servers.
• I have admin access to the servers, since there are a few things I support myself for our branch office.

Question:

• I want to disable my servers usage of the corporate WSUS server. I would like to configure it the "normal" way - use Microsoft's windows update.
• How and where do I change this setting? I have no idea how corporate IT has configured the servers in the first place - maybe using group policy?

Solution 1:

If it is set using a Group Policy, you probably cannot override the setting (that's the whole point of Group Policies), but you should be able to visit the Windows Update website and still download updates yourself, you just won't get the prompts and reminders of new updates.

You really should open a ticket with your Corporate IT department and work with them to resolve the issue. Likely there is something not configured properly between your server and their WSUS server.

Solution 2:

For temporarily disabling it you can do this:

Rename or delete:

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Restart the wsus client

net stop wuauserv
net start wuauserv