Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WSUS Offline Update VS System Center Configuration Manager

Compare WSUS Offline Update VS System Center Configuration Manager and see what are their differences

WSUS Offline Update logo WSUS Offline Update

Using "WSUS Offline Update" (formerly known as "ct offline update" or "DIY...

System Center Configuration Manager logo System Center Configuration Manager

Simplify your datacenter and IT management for increased agility and performance with Microsoft System Center 2016.
  • WSUS Offline Update Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-25
  • System Center Configuration Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-22

WSUS Offline Update features and specs

  • Offline Update Capability
    WSUS Offline Update allows users to download updates and apply them to systems that are not connected to the Internet, ensuring security updates are applied in isolated or restricted environments.
  • Bandwidth Efficiency
    Reduces internet bandwidth consumption by downloading updates once for multiple installations, which is particularly beneficial in environments with many computers.
  • Controlled Update Deployment
    Offers more control over which updates are applied and when, allowing for thorough testing before deployment to prevent disruptions.
  • Compatibility
    Supports multiple versions of Windows and Microsoft Office, making it a versatile solution for environments with diverse software versions.

Possible disadvantages of WSUS Offline Update

  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Setting up WSUS Offline Update can be complex for users unfamiliar with the tool, including configuring correct update selections and download options.
  • Manual Process
    Requires manual updates and maintenance to download and apply the latest updates, which can be time-consuming compared to automated systems.
  • Limited by Disk Space
    The storage medium for the updates can quickly fill up, as update packs can be large, necessitating regular maintenance and monitoring of disk space availability.
  • No Real-time Updates
    Unlike direct internet-based update services, WSUS Offline Update only provides updates as current as the last time the tool was run and updates were downloaded.

System Center Configuration Manager features and specs

  • Comprehensive Endpoint Management
    System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) provides a unified platform for managing a wide variety of endpoint devices including desktops, servers, and mobile devices. This comprehensive approach helps streamline IT operations and enhances security.
  • Integrated with Microsoft Ecosystem
    SCCM is seamlessly integrated with other Microsoft products such as Windows, Active Directory, and Azure, which facilitates easier management and deployment of software, updates, and patches within a Microsoft-centric IT environment.
  • Scalability
    SCCM can scale to manage a large number of devices, making it suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises. Its architecture supports growing organizations by allowing for hierarchical organization and remote site management.
  • Automation Capabilities
    SCCM offers extensive automation capabilities, including scripts and task sequences, which reduce the need for manual intervention and help streamline routine tasks such as software distribution, OS deployment, and compliance settings.
  • Extensive Reporting and Compliance
    The solution includes robust reporting tools that provide insights into the managed environment, ensuring that IT departments can maintain compliance and security standards through detailed audits and real-time data.

Possible disadvantages of System Center Configuration Manager

  • High Initial Setup and Maintenance Cost
    Implementing SCCM requires significant investment in terms of licensing, setting up the infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. Small to medium-sized organizations may find these costs prohibitive.
  • Complexity
    Given its extensive feature set, SCCM can be quite complex to set up and manage. IT staff need specialized training and expertise to effectively utilize the full potential of the platform, which can be challenging for organizations with limited resources.
  • Performance Issues
    As the number of managed devices grows, the system can experience performance bottlenecks. Ensuring that the infrastructure can handle the load is crucial, which might necessitate additional hardware and optimization efforts.
  • Limited Support for Non-Windows Environments
    While SCCM does support multiple platforms, its capabilities are more advanced for Windows-based systems. Managing devices running other operating systems, such as macOS or Linux, may not be as seamless or feature-rich.
  • Dependency on Microsoft Ecosystem
    Organizations heavily invested in non-Microsoft technologies might find SCCM less effective or harder to integrate with their existing infrastructure. This dependency can limit its applicability in diverse IT environments.

WSUS Offline Update videos

Update Windows Offline with WSUS Offline Updater

More videos:

  • Review - Install all windows updates fast - WSUS Offline Update

System Center Configuration Manager videos

System Center Configuration Manager Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WSUS Offline Update and System Center Configuration Manager)
Monitoring Tools
46 46%
54% 54
Patch Management
75 75%
25% 25
IT Management
0 0%
100% 100
IT Asset Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using WSUS Offline Update and System Center Configuration Manager. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WSUS Offline Update seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

WSUS Offline Update mentions (6)

  • Windows updates on an air gapped network.
    I think he was talking about https://wsusoffline.net/ Which I used forever ago but seems like it's abandonware since 2020. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Windows Update Error 0x80073712
    That being said, you can try generating a full update package with WSUSOffline and let it pull all the latest available updates, and then use that to update the problematic servers and see if you're lucky. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Windows Server for Internet Cafe to Push updates offline.
    It doesn't sound like there's anybody around with sufficient knowledge to properly administer Active Directory; so you should probably avoid it. There are also any number of RMM utilities that handle Windows patch management. And there are also manual tools like WSUSOffline that could be leveraged. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Rebuilt 2012r2 DC. Twice. Anyone have advice on applying patches? It hung on one, and I don't know which.
    Use WSUS Offline to bring your base install as up-to-date as possible first, and then run against WSUS or Windows Update for anything left. Source: over 3 years ago
  • What would you do if asked to manually install Windows Updates on 50+ PCs?!
    Https://wsusoffline.net/ is an option if you can't make a dedicated WSUS server. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

System Center Configuration Manager mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of System Center Configuration Manager yet. Tracking of System Center Configuration Manager recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing WSUS Offline Update and System Center Configuration Manager, you can also consider the following products

WHDownloader - A lightweight and easy to use Downloader which allows you to find and apply the latest Microsoft Windows updates....

ManageEngine Desktop Central - Desktop Central is a Desktop Management and Mobile Device Management Software for managing desktops in LAN and across WAN and mobile devices from a central location. It supports managing Windows, Mac and Mobile devices running iOS 4 and above

Batchpatch - Stop dreading Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday every month and finally take control of your patching...

Freshservice - Freshservice: the one-stop cloud solution for all your IT management needs.

AutoPatcher - AutoPatcher is an offline updater and alternative to Microsoft Update that can be used for...

Goverlan - Goverlan Reach provides IT systems support and remote management software solutions enabling innovative and simplified ways for businesses to address remote IT administration needs.