Microsoft testing Home Server update

Microsoft is aiming to release an update to its Windows Home Server product ahead of Windows 7's commercial launch in October. The Power Pack 3 update includes improved support for Windows 7 and Netbooks, among other features.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft on Friday said it has launched beta testing of a new update to its Windows Home Server product.

The software maker said in a blog post that "Power Pack 3," as the feature pack is known, will add improved compatibility with Windows 7 and Netbooks, as well as improved backup of TV shows.

Power Pack 3 will be a free update for existing Home Server owners, Microsoft said.

"Timing of the Power Pack 3 final release has not been determined," Microsoft said. "With your help to test the beta, we hope to release the update prior to the Windows 7 general-availability date of October 22."

Pitched as a way to manage multi-PC households and backup data, the notion of a home server has been a tough sell. Microsoft first announced the product at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show.

The last update to Windows Home Server, Power Pack 2, was released in March. An earlier Power Pack update, released last year, fixed an important data corruption bug.

[Havoc70]

Where can i get my hands on this ? I have WHS with PP2 now and i love it

[Havoc70]

Nevermind found it, funny part was i am a member of the WHS test on Connect but it didnt show up on the list

[RTFM]

WHS is the BEST! I have 10 pcs and to restore the COMPLETE system is a breeze. I even back up my parents pc from a far using a DD-WRT router VPN. It is a MUST buy for anyone that has multiple pcs and needs fault tolerant and easily expandable storage. Not to mention all the other features. 2 TB and growing with 3 of the new seagate 1.5 TB drives.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I have to admit I keep forgetting this product even exists. It's on an even lower radar level than Media Center.

[CylonCheese]

I have plans to buy and set one of these up in my home in the next two weeks and was wondering about Windows 7 support. Glad to hear they are active on the service packs & updates.

Anyone know how the Windows 7 compatibility is currently with the release candidate 7? I have a mixed bag of systems at home right now... XP, Vista, Windows 7.

[joboehl]

Altough Windows Home Server is far from a hit, using a 18 months old news about the rough beginning of the product is not good or fair. A lot have happened (different and new products, new features) and appears no other hardware than a "recently introduced" HP exists, witch´s not true.

I don´t think Home Server is supposed to be on anyones radar. On the contrary. Its a consequence of buying a backup or storage device. How many people know whats inside a Time Capsule?

Anyway, nice to see the product evolving. Hope it gets a greater push overseas as well. Continued investiment on MediaCenter is also a good news at this point.

[anonymuos]

Does it alllow timed turn on, back up and turn off completely?