Frequently Asked Questions

Windows Home Server helps families and home-based business with multiple computers to organize, share, and protect photos, videos, music, and other important documents. Windows Home Server automatically backs up all of the home computers, monitors network health, and provides a central, easily expandable storage resource for the whole family. It also allows users to access and share digital content with a built-in web page, and streams media to other devices in the home, such as Xbox 360. Users can expand the capabilities of the home server with a number of software and hardware add-ins such as home security, media streaming, and photo sharing.

Windows Home Server ships as an integrated hardware and software solution. Manufacturers (OEMs) set the final pricing for their products depending on hardware specifications, storage capacity, and additional capabilities. Prices range from $500 and up. The HP MediaSmart Server is available in two models, a 500GB version and 1TB model. System Builders and do-it-yourself users can acquire the software from a variety of online sources. Learn about the retailers that sell Windows Home Server.

File sharing and remote access is possible with Windows Vista, Windows XP, older versions of Windows, Apple Mac OS, and Linux. The Windows Home Server Connector software installs on Windows XP as well as both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, which is required for backup functionality. In addition, Windows Vista users benefit from central monitoring of computer health on the network.

Mac users benefit from almost all of the capabilities of Windows Home Server. Mac users can access Windows Home Server as a file server and have the ability to view and save files to shared folders. Mac-based computers can also remotely access Windows Home Server. Although the Windows Home Server automatic backup functionality is only available for Windows XP and Windows Vista computers, Mac users can run their own backup software that redirects backup files to the home server.

Up to 10 home computers can install and use the Windows Home Server Connector software which enables automatic backup and access to shared folders on the home server.

Windows Home Server was designed to support up to 10 computers. Small businesses may find some of the features of Windows Home Server compelling. Additionally, Microsoft offers Windows Small Business Server, that scales well beyond 10 users for more sophisticated home-based businesses or small businesses that plan on growing.

Windows Home Server offers the benefits of RAID, without the complexity. New hard drives of any size, either internal or external, can be added to Windows Home Server and the amount of available storage grows based on the size of the hard disk. On a system with two or more hard drives, Windows Home Server users can enable "duplication" on a shared folder basis and files are copied or "mirrored" on two separate hard drives. If a single hard drive fails, then a user will not lose any files in any folder that has "duplication" enabled. External hard drives can be added via USB, Firewire, or eSATA provided the Windows Home Server has the appropriate hardware inputs.

These products are complementary. Windows XP Media Center Edition and Windows Vista Home Premium are designed to run on personal computers and provide acquisition and management of media, such as TV programs, music, and photos. Windows Home Server is designed to make managing a home network with multiple computers, easier and more automatic. Windows Home Server provides a solution for storing, organizing, protecting, and streaming content.

Windows Live OneCare coordinates with Home Server as a backup option. OneCare searches for the Windows Home Server Connector software during installation OneCare identifies that Windows Home Server backups are occurring and users will not be prompted to configure OneCare backups.

Users can perform a Windows Home Server reinstallation using the Server Restore DVD. This will keep all existing files and the storage pool intact. Simply insert the DVD into a home computer that is attached via Ethernet cable to the router. For added protection, shared folders on the home server can be backed up to an external hard drive and moved offsite. In addition, Windows Home Server add-in software is available for off-site, Internet-based storage, and backup of important content.