Microsoft Unveils First Windows Home Server Update

Launched last month, Windows Server is on its way to becoming one of the most popular Microsoft releases in recent years, according to solution providers, who applaud its ability to connect multiple PCs in the same household and allow users to store, manage, back up, and remotely access their digital content.

Microsoft is making the Windows Home Server update available to customers through Windows Update and has also pushed the update to its OEM and distribution partners, including Hewlett Packard, which will incorporate the update in its HP MediaSmart Server, which is due to launch this fall.

As part of the update, additional documentation will be added to cover the remote access features of Windows Home Server, to deal with and troubleshoot problems that have materialized with home network router/firewall and broadband providers' software.

Another portion of the update strengthens the backup features in Windows Home Server, enabling users to back up data on home PCs if a network interruption occurs.

Microsoft is also providing additional details on how host-based firewall software can cause installation of the Windows Home Server Connector software to fail, and is warning users not to reboot Windows Home Server while updates are being downloaded and applied.

Mark Crall, president of Charlotte Tech Care Team, a Microsoft partner in Charlotte, N.C., hasn't dealt with any of these issues firsthand, but says Windows Home Server "definitely seems to be gaining momentum" in the IT professional community.

"Some people were worried that Best Buy and others were going to be selling this, but a lot of solution providers are recognizing an opportunity for us to do custom deployments," said Crall.