I don’t like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), but it’s the free alternative many companies select over the higher cost alternatives like Intune or Systems Center. So, today I had to repair a damaged WSUS installation. Turns out someone uninstalled SQL Server 2005 Express not realizing WSUS was using it. Now firing up the WSUS console just yielded an error complaining about the missing SQL database. So like any good troubleshootin IT guy the first thing I tried was to uninstall WSUS…sadly, however the product would not uninstall or re-install. Here’s how I finally got rid of it:
[the problem]
[the solution]
[step 1] Open REGEDIT in and locate: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Update Services\Server\Setup
[step 2] Change the value of “wYukonInstalled” to 0×0 (zero) and ensure that the value of “SqlInstanceIsRemote” is oxo (zero).
[step 3] Download and run the WSUS 3.0 SP2 installer. You should now be able to remove the product using the installer. Select none of the check boxes (to remove database, logs or updates), we can remove these manually later.
[step 4] Download and install SQL Server 2008 Express R2 (or SQL Server 2005 Express). Make sure you can connect to the instance you create with SQL Server Management Studio.
[step 5] Run the WSUS 3.0 SP2 installer again and (this time it should allow you to install). Install the Full product including management console.
[step 6] Select a location with plenty of space to store the downloaded updates (I recommend at least 20GB of space).
[step 7] Select the option to use an existing database server.
[step 8] It should find the SQL Server 2008 Express instance you installed and tested in [step 4].
[step 9] Create a separate Windows Update Services website (I don’t recommend using the default IIS website).
[step 10] Step through the WSUS configuration wizard.
That’s it.
Glad I found this. It let me uninstall. Thanks for publishing it!
You’re welcome. Glad it worked for you.
Ditto. Thanks for posting. I don’t undertand why microsoft does not have a kb for this.
Thanks perfect
David, you’re a legend! I love solutions that work. Applied to a number of broken WSUS installations and it fixed every one of them. Thank you very much.
Hi David,
thanks for your Post. This resolved my WSUS problem.
nice posting, works for me
Thanks. This work for me.
Excellent info. Just what I needed.
Thanks, great info! Problem sorted.
[...] bit of Googling turned up the following post: http://davidvielmetter.com/tricks/wsus-wont-uninstall-or-re-install/ by David [...]
Thanks a lot. This solution worked like a charm
GREAT fix!! I’ve had this issue on a few different servers (2008 R2 & SBS 2008) and have tried to find the fixes in the past, but nothing worked. This was soo easy and worked the first time. Thank you. Micorosoft should be so helpful.
THANKS a lot. WORKS !!! This goes to my standard WSUS fixing tools, saved days of work.
This helped me uninstall and reinstall WSUS. You have no idea how grateful I am. Thank you so much for your detailed post!
You’re very welcome! Glad I could help.
David
Many thanks !!!!!!!!!
Thanks alot. This info helped me uninstall and reinstall WSUS. Many thanks to you.
That was very helpful, thanks a lot! Finally i could get rid of this monster. 5 MS arcticles could not help me nearly as you could. Thanks again!
This article should be listed at the top of any google wsus search.
Thanks a million!
You’re very welcome. Glad to know it works.
David Vielmetter