WSUS Low Disk Space? Clean Up and Move the Content Folder and SUSDB Database

WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) can quickly fill a drive. Here are three ways to fix low disk space: run the Server Cleanup Wizard, move the content directory, and move the SUSDB database to another drive.

1. Run the WSUS Server Cleanup Wizard

1. In the WSUS administration console, select Options → Server Cleanup Wizard.
2. By default it removes unneeded content and computers that haven’t contacted the server in 30 days or more. Select all options and click Next.
3. When it finishes, review the summary and click Finish.

2. Move the WSUS Content Directory

1. Create a new content folder on another drive.
2. Open a Command Prompt and go to the WSUS Tools folder, typically C:\Program Files\Update Services\Tools.
3. Run the command below, where NewContentPath is the new folder and MoveLog is the path and file name for the log.

wsusutil movecontent NewContentPath MoveLog

For more on WSUSUtil, see “Managing WSUS 3.0 from the Command Line” in the WSUS Operations Guide.

3. Move the SUSDB Database

1. Open a Command Prompt and stop the WSUS service: net stop wsusservice
2. Detach the SUSDB database.
3. Copy SUSDB.mdf and SUSDB_log.ldf to the new location.
4. Attach SUSDB from the new location.
5. Start the service again: net start wsusservice
6. Once everything is working, delete the old SUSDB.mdf and SUSDB_log.ldf.