Windows 7 / Getting Started

Creating Computer Groups on WSUS

A significant improvement of WSUS over earlier versions is the ability to approve updates for specific groups of computers. In other words, you can choose to approve updates for one group of computers but not others.

In order to support this with WSUS, you create computer groups and then move the computers into the appropriate group. How this is done.

Creating Computer Groups

  1. If WSUS is not launched, start WSUS on the server by clicking Start → Administrative Tools → Windows Server Update Services.
  2. Click the plus (+) symbol next to Computers to open it. Select All Computers. Change the Status drop-down box to Any and click Refresh. This will show a list of all computers known by the WSUS server. At the very least, the name of the WSUS server should be here.
  3. Right-click All Computers, and select Add Computer Group.
  4. Type in Servers as the Name and click Add.
  5. Select Unassigned Computers. Right-click the server name and select Change Membership.
  6. Select the Servers group and click OK.
  7. Select the Servers group. Select Any from the Status drop-down box, and click Refresh.
    You will see the single server you've added in the Servers group. In the graphic, you may notice that there are two computers, though only one is shown in the Servers group. In my small network, I have a Windows 7 computer that is still in the Unassigned Computers group.
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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows 7 and Other software Up to Date
  2. Understanding Windows Live
  3. Updates versus upgrades
  4. Why updates are important
  5. Windows Update
  6. Windows Update: The essentials
  7. Types of Updates
  8. Completing an Update
  9. Configuring automatic Updating
  10. Windows Update Applet and Functions
  11. Manually Install Updates Using Windows Update
  12. Action Center
  13. Updates Do Not Install Properly
  14. Other Windows Update Settings
  15. Configuring Windows 7 Update to Use a Proxy Server
  16. Can't Find Hidden Update
  17. Viewing and Changing Installed Updates
  18. Can't Uninstall Current Update
  19. Upgrade Windows Anytime
  20. Understanding Windows Server Update Services
  21. Windows Update Policies
  22. Updating Drivers
  23. Using Device Manager to Update Drivers
  24. Windows Update Driver Settings
  25. Windows 7 Service Packs
  26. Basic Service Pack Information
  27. Installation of Service Packs
  28. Installing and Removing Software
  29. Installation via CD or DVD
  30. Problem Installing from Disc
  31. Installation via Downloaded Program
  32. Viewing and Changing Programs
  33. Uninstalling Software
  34. Compatibility Issues in 64-Bit Version
  35. Upgrade Issues with 64-Bit Windows 7
  36. Other Program Compatibility Issues
  37. Side-by-Side Installs and Virtual Registries
  38. Removing Updates from Windows 7
  39. Thwarting Exploits with DEP
  40. Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer
  41. Picking Computers to Scan
  42. Vulnerability Checks
  43. Installing MBSA
  44. Running the MBSA
  45. Running the MBSACLI
  46. MBSACLI Location
  47. Running in an Isolated Environment
  48. Using Windows Server Update Services
  49. WSUS Updates
  50. WSUS Requirements
  51. Installing, Configuring, and Using WSUS
  52. Adding the Application Server and Web Server (IIS) Roles
  53. Installing the Report Viewer
  54. Installing WSUS
  55. Configuring Group Policy Settings for WSUS
  56. Creating a GPO to Configure Clients to Use WSUS
  57. Verifying That Clients Are Using GPO Settings for WSUS
  58. Verifying That Clients Are Using GPO Settings with GPResult
  59. Creating Computer Groups on WSUS
  60. Approving Updates in WSUS
  61. Viewing WSUS Reports