Windows 8/Windows 8.1 Showing up as Windows 6.3 in WSUS on Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard

I upgraded two computers and they came with Windows 8 on them.  I updated them to Windows 8.1, but I noticed something odd in Windows WSUS.  It was showing up as Windows 6.3.  I followed all the Microsoft Steps:

Step 1:
An update for Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Service Pack 2 is available (KB2734608)

Step 1a:
Additional note on KB2734608 regarding WSUS, Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 (Link)

Even after all that, still not showing patches, but also still reporting at Windows 6.3.

Here is how to change the Windows 6.3

Log on to the WSUS server and open notepad.  Paste in the following text:

UPDATE SUSDB.dbo.tbComputerTargetDetail
SET OSDescription = 'Windows 8.1 Pro'
WHERE OSMajorVersion = 6 AND OSMinorVersion = 3 AND OSBuildNumber = 9600

Do file save as Add-W81-to-WSUS.sql and save it to C:\temp

Now run this in an elevated windows command prompt:

sqlcmd -I -i"C:\temp\Add-W81-to-WSUS.sql" -S \\.\pipe\MSSQL$MICROSOFT##SSEE\sql\query

It will say X number of rows affected.  The X should match how many Windows 6.3 machines are showing up in WSUS.

Now just as aheads up... if you aren't getting any Windows 8/8.1 patches double check that you are synchronizing them haha!

Source: Link

UPDATE:  I just noticed that it reverted back.  Will look more in to this.  From past experience you might have to commit the update.

"Error: Connection error" An error occurred trying to connect the WSUS Server.

This was fixed by deleting the wsus file in %appdata%\Microsoft\MMC\.  I've had other instances where it wasn't this simple.  I'll continuelly update this post as I find new solutions on how to fix WSUS when it decides to quit working.

Sources:  Link Link

How to transfer WSUS to a New Partition

I'm not even going to try to explain it since this person did it so well.  Hit the link and enjoy!

Source:  Link

Just 1 thing...  The person that explains how to do this says SQL Server 2005 and I was using SQL Server 2008 R2.  Just substitute what he says with SQL Server 2008 R2 and you'll be fine.

I used this link before I found the better link above.

Source:  Link

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) error 0x80072ee6, won't contact server

Are you getting some error like this?

WU client succeeds CClientCallRecorder::BeginFindUpdates from AutomaticUpdates with call...  WU client executing call ... of type Search Call
DownloadFileInternal failed for fs03/SelfUpdate/wuident.cab: error 0x80072ee6
IsUpdateRequired failed with error 0x80072ee6

The reason you are getting that is in the GPO under

Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Admin Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update:

"Specify intranet Microsoft update service location"


You probably entered the hostname as wsus.test.com when it should be http://wsus.test.com

Source:  Link

How to move WSUS content from drive C to D

Open a command prompt (start -> run -> CMD)
Navigate to C:\Program Files\Update Services\Tools.
Create a new directory on the root of the new drive -> D:\WSUS\wsuscontent
Then type the following command:  wsusutil movecontent D:\WSUS\wsuscontent C:\WSUS\wsusmove.log

Source: Link

If you need to move the database here is a good article on how to do that:  Link

Configuring Windows Server Update Service (WSUS)

You will need to go here to download the installer:  Link

If you are looking for 32 bit WSUS download the x86 File and if 64 Bit WSUS, select x64.

Once you have it downloaded, run it and just install the default install settings.  You can change the port if you want but it is easier if you leave it on port 80.

The WSUS configuration wizard will pop up.  The defaults are still good until you reach the "Choose Language".  You must click connect to move forward. The next selection is the products you want WSUS to download patches for.  I recommend only selecting the ones you actually have installed because every patch downloaded takes up space.

Next section is the "Choose Classifications".  I like to choose all of them except for drivers, Feature Packs, and Tools.  Drivers can really screw machines up.  Drivers are best downloaded from the manufacture's website.

Configure the server to synchronize automatically sometime in the middle of the night so you are able to download all necessary patches without increasing the load time on the server.

Click Finish.

The next step is configuring group policy to tell the workstations where to get their updates from.  Open the group policy editor.  There is many ways to do this, any of them work.

Go to Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Updates

** IF by some chance you select that and there is only two settings listed, the WSUS template was not added.  To add it right click "Administrative Templates" and click "Add/Remove Templates".  The Windows Update is called "wuau".  If it isn't listed select add and locate the file C:\Windows\inf\wuau.adm.  Click open, then ok and the page will refresh and they should show up now. Source: Link

The minimum that needs to be configured are "Configure Automatic Updates" and "Specify Intranet Microsoft Update Service Location".

Under "Configure Automatic Updates", Select Enable, 4 - Auto Download and schedule the install.  Most commonly the patches are installed during the night to not interrupt the user. So you want to choose 0- Everyday and a time > 12:00 AM.

Under "Specify Intranet Microsoft Update Service Location", Select Enable, and enter http://thefullyqualifieddomainname.

The computer will check in with the server within the next 0-30 minutes to get any changes to group policy.

If you want to force this sooner, on the client machine open a command prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd or command) and type gpupdate /force.  After it pulls down the new policy, it can be checked by running rsop.msc from the command prompt.  Navigate to Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Updates.  You should see settings that match what you just entered.

To force it to check in with the WSUS server run wuauclt /detectnow from the command prompt.  After running the command run the wuauclt /reportnow for the machine to push what updates it needs to the WSUS server.

Some other commands that can be used with wuauclt are listed below:

/DetectNow
/ReportNow
/RunHandlerComServer
/RunStoreAsComServer
/ShowSettingsDialog
/ResetAuthorization
/ResetEulas
/ShowWU
/ShowWindowsUpdate
/SelfUpdateManaged
/SelfUpdateUnmanaged
/UpdateNow
/ShowWUAutoScan
/ShowFeaturedUpdates
/ShowOptions
/ShowFeaturedOptInDialog
/DemoUI


Source: Link

After a while, check back in the WSUS console and your workstations should start showing up.