Hey guys! Ever wondered how to keep your Windows Server 2016 up-to-date? Well, you're in the right place! In this article, we'll walk you through enabling Windows Update on your Server 2016, ensuring your system stays secure and performs optimally. Let's dive right in!

Why Enable Windows Update?

Before we get started, let's quickly cover why enabling Windows Update is super important. Think of Windows Updates as regular check-ups for your server. These updates include:

• Security Patches: These are like shields that protect your server from the latest cyber threats. Without them, your server is like an open door for hackers!
• Bug Fixes: No software is perfect, and updates often include fixes for those annoying little bugs that can cause crashes or other issues.
• Performance Improvements: Updates can also make your server run faster and more efficiently. Who doesn't want that?
• New Features: Sometimes, updates even include cool new features that can make your life easier.

So, enabling Windows Update is not just a good idea; it's essential for maintaining a healthy and secure server environment. Now that we know why it's important, let's get to the how-to part!

Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling Windows Update on Server 2016

Alright, let's get our hands dirty! Follow these steps to enable Windows Update on your Server 2016.

Step 1: Open Server Manager

First things first, we need to open Server Manager. If it doesn't automatically pop up when you log in, you can find it in the Start Menu. Just click the Start button and type "Server Manager." Click on the Server Manager icon to open it.

Step 2: Navigate to Local Server

Once Server Manager is open, look for "Local Server" in the left-hand pane. Click on it. This will display information about your server, including its hostname, IP address, and Windows Update status.

Step 3: Check the Windows Update Status

In the Local Server properties, find the "Windows Update" entry. You'll see its current status. If it says something like "Last checked: Never" or "Updates are available," it means Windows Update is not fully enabled or hasn't been configured yet. Click on the status to open the Windows Update settings.

Step 4: Configure Windows Update Settings

Now, you'll be in the Windows Update settings. Here, you have a few options to configure how updates are installed. You can choose to:

• Install updates automatically: This is the easiest option. Your server will automatically download and install updates. You can also specify the time when updates are installed to minimize disruption.
• Download updates but let me choose whether to install them: This gives you more control. Your server will download updates, but you'll be notified and can choose when to install them.
• Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them: This gives you the most control. You'll have to manually check for updates and then choose whether to download and install them.

To configure these settings, click on "Advanced options." Here, you can choose how updates are installed and whether you want to receive updates for other Microsoft products.

Step 5: Enable Automatic Updates (Recommended)

For most users, the easiest and most recommended option is to enable automatic updates. Here's how:

1. In the "Advanced options" screen, find the "Choose how updates are installed" dropdown menu.
2. Select "Automatic (recommended)." This will ensure that updates are automatically downloaded and installed.
3. You can also check the box that says "Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows" if you want to receive updates for other Microsoft software.
4. Click the back arrow to return to the main Windows Update screen.

Step 6: Check for Updates Manually (Optional)

Even if you've enabled automatic updates, it's a good idea to manually check for updates to make sure everything is up-to-date. To do this, click the "Check for updates" button on the main Windows Update screen. Windows will scan for available updates and display them.

Step 7: Install Available Updates

If there are updates available, click the "Install now" button to start the installation process. The server will download and install the updates. This may take some time, so be patient.

Step 8: Restart Your Server (If Required)

After the updates are installed, you may be prompted to restart your server. It's important to restart your server when prompted, as some updates require a restart to take effect. Save your work and restart the server.

Step 9: Verify the Update Installation

After the server restarts, log back in and open Server Manager. Navigate to Local Server and check the Windows Update status again. It should now say that your system is up-to-date. You can also click on "View update history" to see a list of installed updates.

Using PowerShell to Enable Windows Update

For those of you who prefer using the command line, you can also enable Windows Update using PowerShell. Here's how:

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

First, you need to open PowerShell with administrative privileges. To do this, click the Start button, type "PowerShell," right-click on "Windows PowerShell," and select "Run as administrator."

Step 2: Set the Automatic Updates Configuration

To configure automatic updates, you can use the Set-ItemProperty cmdlet. Here's the command to set automatic updates to "AutoDownloadAndInstall":

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name AUOptions -Value 4 -Type DWord

This command sets the AUOptions value in the Windows Registry to 4, which corresponds to "AutoDownloadAndInstall." Other possible values include:

• 2: Notify for download and notify for install
• 3: Auto download and notify for install
• 5: Allow local admin to choose setting

Step 3: Configure the Scheduled Install Day and Time (Optional)

You can also configure the day and time when updates are installed. To set the scheduled install day, use the Set-ItemProperty cmdlet with the ScheduledInstallDay parameter. For example, to set the install day to Sunday (0):

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name ScheduledInstallDay -Value 0 -Type DWord

To set the scheduled install time, use the Set-ItemProperty cmdlet with the ScheduledInstallTime parameter. For example, to set the install time to 3:00 AM:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" -Name ScheduledInstallTime -Value 3 -Type DWord

Step 4: Force a Check for Updates (Optional)

To force a check for updates, you can use the (New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.AutoUpdate).DetectNow() command:

(New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.AutoUpdate).DetectNow()

This command will initiate an immediate check for updates.

Step 5: Verify the Configuration

To verify that the settings have been applied, you can use the Get-ItemProperty cmdlet to retrieve the values from the Registry:

Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU"

This will display the current settings for Windows Update.

Group Policy Method

If you manage multiple servers in a domain environment, using Group Policy to configure Windows Update settings is the most efficient way to go. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Open Group Policy Management

On a domain controller or a server with the Group Policy Management feature installed, open the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC). You can find it in the Administrative Tools folder.

Step 2: Create or Edit a GPO

Navigate to the Organizational Unit (OU) where your servers are located. Right-click on the OU and select "Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here..." or select an existing GPO that you want to modify. Give the new GPO a descriptive name, such as "Windows Update Settings."

Step 3: Edit the GPO

Right-click on the GPO you created or selected and choose "Edit." This will open the Group Policy Management Editor.

Step 4: Configure Automatic Updates

In the Group Policy Management Editor, navigate to:

Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update

Here, you will find several policies related to Windows Update. The most important one is "Configure Automatic Updates."

Step 5: Enable and Configure the Policy

Double-click on "Configure Automatic Updates" to open its settings. Select "Enabled" to enable the policy. Then, choose one of the following options from the "Configure automatic updating" dropdown menu:

• 2: Notify for download and notify for install
• 3: Auto download and notify for install
• 4: Auto download and schedule the install
• 5: Allow local admin to choose setting

If you choose option 4, you can also specify the scheduled install day and time.

Step 6: Specify the Intranet Microsoft Update Service Location (Optional)

If you are using a WSUS server, you need to specify the intranet Microsoft update service location. To do this, enable the "Specify intranet Microsoft update service location" policy and enter the URL of your WSUS server in the "Set the intranet update service for detecting updates" and "Set the intranet statistics server" fields.

Step 7: Apply the GPO

Close the Group Policy Management Editor. The GPO will be automatically applied to the servers in the OU. You can force an immediate update of the Group Policy settings on the servers by running the gpupdate /force command in the Command Prompt.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to troubleshoot them:

• Updates Failing to Install: Check the Windows Update log files for error messages. You can find these logs in the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Logs directory. Common causes include corrupted update files or insufficient disk space. Try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
• Windows Update Service Not Running: Make sure the Windows Update service is running. Open the Services app (type services.msc in the Start Menu) and locate the "Windows Update" service. If it's not running, right-click on it and select "Start."
• Connectivity Issues: Ensure that your server can connect to the Microsoft Update servers. Check your firewall settings and make sure that the necessary ports are open.
• Group Policy Not Applying: If you are using Group Policy, make sure that the GPO is correctly linked to the OU and that the servers are able to communicate with the domain controller. Run gpupdate /force on the servers to force an update of the Group Policy settings.

Conclusion

Enabling Windows Update on your Server 2016 is crucial for maintaining a secure and stable environment. Whether you choose to use the GUI, PowerShell, or Group Policy, following these steps will help you keep your server up-to-date with the latest security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements. So, go ahead and get those updates rolling! Your server will thank you for it!