If you google how to delete or move a WSUS database based on WID, you most likely will run into blog posts based on WSUS 3.0 and Windows 2008. But with Windows 2012, their advise is not valid anymore, because basically all these post are making use of SQL Server Management Studio 2005 or 2008 Express and the Server Name “\\.\pipe\Microsoft##SSEE\sql\query“.
For Windows 2012 you will need the following updated information:
- WSUS for Windows 2012 is up to version 4. If you read a blog post about 3 something you know (now?) the info is wrong.
- The WSUS 4 WID database is in the following location: C:\Windows\WID\Data\SUSDB.mdf. Delete or move this database at the file level is not an option, you have to use the SQL Management Studio.
- Install SQL Server Management Studio 2012 Express (Download SQLManagementStudio_x64_ENU.exe).
- Once installed run SQL Management Studio 2012 with Run As Administrator.
- Make the connection with Server Name: \\.\pipe\Microsoft##WID\tsql\query
- Now you can use most posts to delete or move the WSUS database.
Thanks a Bunch! Exactly what I was looking for.
This makes no sense…
Connect via Management Studio to ServerName\\.\pipe\Microsoft##WID\tsql\query ??
What in the **** are you talking about?
Make sure you start the SQL Management Studio as Administrator otherwise it will NOT work!
In the server name field paste: “\\.\pipe\Microsoft##WID\tsql\query”. This way you can connect to the database.
“Run as Admin” – the one thing they all keep leaving out. Thanks mate!
Still unable to connect to the database. See attached message.
TITLE: Connect to Server
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Cannot connect to \\.\pipe\Microsoft##WID\tsql\query.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 – Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 2)
For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft%20SQL%20Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=2&LinkId=20476
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The system cannot find the file specified
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BUTTONS:
OK
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Very good post.. Its working for me
If you are moving a WSUS 4.0 instance from WID to SQL on a remote server, then the guidance for editing the registry is slightly different from W2K8 R2 to W2012. You only need to change the SQLSERVERNAME value.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\UpdateServices\Server\Setup\SqlServerName
the wYukonInstalled and SqlInstanceIsRemote values don’t exist in W2012 WSUS 4.0
This ‘simple’ secret has saved a client of ours who is re-architecting their business. Made this reply to give a thumbs up to the author!
It would be nice if there were an option to clear/remove the database when you uninstall WSUS, then this would be unnecessary. Thank you very much, you made my day a lot easier.
Thank you!
Thanks a Ton
Thanks buddy.
Hi Guys,
I deleted WID folder with WSUS installed in my server 2012, my “server manager” stopped, It’s can’t add or removal features and functions. How I can to remove manually WID?
Tks
Luiz
I Solved, I recreated data folder with templates mdf.