14 DAY TRIAL // On November 24th, 2009, Microsoft made available for download the third major upgrade for its home server operating system and, as is the general case with Microsoft, the company accompanied the release with the documentation designed to assist customers with their deployments. Windows Home Server users can, in this regard, not only grab Power Pack 3 via Windows Update, but also the release documentation from the Microsoft Download Center. Just as Windows Home Server PP3, the release documentation can be accessed for free from the Redmond giant.
“These documents contain late-breaking information to help you install and run Power Pack 3 for Windows Home Server. They are divided into three sections: pre-Installation contains information that you need before you install. Installing contains information about installation. Post-Installation lists any issues that affect how the product functions. Information may also be included to correct or enhance performance, reliability, or security,” Microsoft explained.
As far as major Windows upgrades go, Power Packs are for Windows Home Server what Service Packs are for the client and server flavors of Microsoft’s platforms. Users currently running Windows Home Server PP2 can enable Automatic Updates and have PP3 automatically delivered and installed on the home server machines. At the same time, Microsoft is making it easy for new users to test drive Windows Home Server. In this regard, the company has made available for download a free, evaluation version of Windows Home Server PP3 as an ISO image.
“With Windows Home Server as your media server, your digital memories will be kept in a central location so that you can access what you want from any computer on the network. Integration with Windows 7 libraries means that your Windows Home Server will automatically add and store your digital memories in the libraries. This enables you to quickly access what you want from any computer on the network and save time by having all your things in one place,” noted Microsoft’s Nicole Berett.
Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 Evaluation is available for download here.