Maximum PC:How to Build a Kick-Ass Windows Home Server

In case you missed it, Maximum PC recently released one of the most comprehensive how-to article on building your own Windows Home Server that we have ever seen. The article is generating a lot of buzz, and you can check it out online here or head down to your local bookstore and peruse the 10-page, full-color spreads. The article walks through all the key features of Windows Home Server – including automatic backups, file sharing, remote access, media streaming throughout the home, and hard drive expandability. And according to Maximum PC: “More than just a stripped-down version of Windows Server 2003, WHS has numerous features that make it ideal for small home networks.” This is a fact we have been proudly touting for some time. You can check out more information on Windows Home Server for SOHO on our Web page, which features information for small businesses, including case studies and video interviews with some of our customers.

The second part of Maximum PC’s review walks you step-by-step – including handy photos to illustrate the process – on how to build your own server. If you don’t want to do it yourself, check out the reviews at the end of the HP MediaSmart LX195 and the Acer EasyStore H340 – great products from our partners. You can also read about some of the cool add-ins developed by our Windows Home Server community that extend the functionality of your Windows Home Server, including Advanced Admin Consol, Disk Management, Web Folders 4 Windows Home Server, Photosync, and My Movies, just to name a few. There have been so add-ins built for Windows Home Server by our passionate community of technical enthusiasts that we’ve almost lost count! I believe we’re at more than 100 add-ins and counting. Find out more about add-ins here – they will help simplify your family's digital lifestyle and enhance the functionality of your Windows Home Server.

You don’t have to build your own Windows Home Server to enjoy Maximum PC’s article. It’s chock full of all the great features, benefits, and tips for getting the most out of your Windows Home Server. You don’t want to miss this one! 

- Dave Berkowitz, Senior Product Manager, Core Infrastructure Marketing, Microsoft

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It can be frustrating to get a shiny new technology gadget and then realize that it will be another couple of days until you can actually start using it due to confusion and long installation times. Happily, this is not the case with Windows Home Server – it is quite the opposite. Windows Home Server has an uncomplicated, self-explanatory installation process that will have you up and running with minimum time and effort.

According to a Cnet review, an advantage of Windows Home Server is the, “straightforward hardware and software setup.” The Windows Home Server team and our hardware partners have continued to make improvements to the installation and setup of the home server. Many consumers, including blogger Steve Smith, make it clear that there is no need for you to be computer savvy to set up and install Windows Home Server as it only takes 3 simple steps:

1. Plug it in
2. Turn it on
3. Install the software on your computer

The software will take you through a quick set-up wizard, and then the installation is complete! You can even follow along with a series of screen shots of the Windows Home Server installation process, or read a "How To" to make sure that you are on the right track.



*Screen shot of the Windows Home Server Connector during installation

You can see for yourself how impressed Windows Home Server owner, Steve Smith, was with his HP MediaSmart. His first reaction to his new Home Server after un-boxing it was, “Wow, this thing is small!”



*HP MediaSmart’s size compared to a Blackberry Pearl phone

In Steve's blog, he then goes on to describe how fast the installation was and ends by showing a final screen shot of the Windows Home Server console, only 40 minutes after opening the box! If you prefer videos, Ian Dixon walks through an HP MediaSmart Server installation here.

For those who are not intimidated by computer installations and would consider building their own home server, Norman Chan has produced a terrific article in October’s Maximum PC on this topic. This step-by-step guide will you take you through the process of building your own home server. Click here to check out the online version.

If you still on the fence about building your own home server or installing a preconfigured system, you can now feel confident that others have already successfully gone down the path.

To learn more about Windows Home Server, please visit our Web page at: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx

-Nicole

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