Shrink huge WSUS content folder in SBS 2008/2011

What:

Windows Small Business Server 2008/2011

Problem:

C:\WSUS folder grows to large, current size 65GB, it fills up C drive and Exchange stops email flow.

Solution:

Open up Server Manager, navigate to WSUS > Update Services > Updates > All

Decline all updates, no exceptions.

From Options run the Server Cleanup Wizard, I recommend to leave first option unticked as it might get stuck on Deleting unused updates...

• Unused updates and update revisions
• Computers not contacting the server
• Unneeded update files
• Expired updates
• Superseded updates

It will take a few minutes to process, so be patient, this will remove all files in the WsusContent sub-folder.

You can run cleanup again with only first option ticked, but be aware that it can take hours to finish and the only way to stop it, is to restart MSSQL$MICROSOFT##SSEE service.

In Update Services > Updates > All change the approval of all Declined updates, click "Approve" and set it to "Not Approved".

Run the Server Cleanup Wizard again to decline all expired updates.

If you don't want to use WSUS, go to Update Services > Options > Update Files and Languages and set "Do not store update files locally; computers install from Microsoft Update".
For SBS 2011 open up "Group Policy Manager" and edit "Update Services Common Settings Policy".
Set "Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Specify intranet Microsoft update service location" to "Not configured".

If you decided to use WSUS functionality approve needed updates and those will be re-downloaded.

Related post: SBS 2008 sqlservr.exe - MSSQL$MICROSOFT##SSEE high memory usage