Windows Home Server - Setup, Features & Alternatives

Windows Home Server: A Six-Month Review

For approximately six months, I’ve been evaluating Windows Home Server (WHS). This article details my experiences with this novel offering from Microsoft.

Essentially, WHS functions as a centralized computer designed for placement within your home network. Its primary purpose is to distribute multimedia content to a variety of devices throughout the house.

Key Features and Functionality

The system allows for the creation of individual user accounts. Users can then stream both music and video content, alongside the capability to establish backups directly to the home server.

Multiple users can simultaneously enjoy different media. For example, children can stream a film on their computer while another family member listens to music.

File backups operate similarly to those in a professional environment, functioning as a network drive for storing important data.

Storage and Expansion

An automatic backup system is included, providing incremental backups of all PCs on the home network to the server. Expanding storage capacity is remarkably straightforward.

Simply connecting an additional external USB hard drive will integrate it into the server’s overall storage space. It’s important to note that the drive will be incorporated as part of a unified storage pool, rather than remaining a separate, independent drive.

Underlying Technology

Upon startup, Windows Home Server Beta 2 displays a Windows Server 2003 splash screen. This is due to the fact that WHS is constructed utilizing Server 2003 technology.

Whether this splash screen will persist in the final release version remains uncertain. However, WHS is considerably less complex than Server 2003, making it more accessible to a wider range of users.

Unlike Server 2003, WHS does not require Active Directory. This allows users to manage a server within a home environment without needing extensive IT expertise.

Future Content

Over the next few weeks, more detailed guides and tutorials will be added to this site. When Windows Home Server is officially released to the public, this will serve as a resource for quickly and efficiently learning how to utilize its features.

Tech Lingo: USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that enables easy plug & play connectivity for peripherals to your PC, such as an external hard drive.