Download Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 Essentials RTM

Microsoft signed off on Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 Essentials on March 29th, 2011, the same day as the RTM of Windows Home Server 2011 (yes, the two platforms are related), and now the company is giving green light to downloads.

As of April 5th, customers interested in testing Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials RTM can download the operating system straight from the Redmond company.

What the software giant is providing is a fully functional copy of SBS 2011 Essentials as a trial release.

The OS is time-bombed and will expire at 180 days after installation, but half a year should be more than sufficient for small businesses to decide whether this server platform is for them or not.

Of course, downloads of SBS 2011 Essentials are provided free of charge, as is the case with all trial releases of Microsoft software.

“Built on Windows Server 2008 R2, SBS Essentials is an agile new product designed and priced as a solution for businesses that have fewer than 25 users and do not have a client/server network in place,” revealed Enrico Toro, Product Manager of Server and Cloud Platform Marketing.

“SBS Essentials gives small business customers an easy way to get their infrastructure in place using our simple-to-deploy server. At the same time, SBS Essentials ensures that business-critical data is regularly and automatically backed up, the health of the network is actively monitored, and users and computer management are easy and straightforward.

“In addition the comprehensive extensibility built into the product makes it easy to take advantage of a wide variety of cloud services and third-party additions.”

In addition to the trial release, Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials RTM downloads are also live for those with MSDN and TechNet subscriptions.

According to the software giant, SBS 2011 Essentials will hit commercial availability on May 1st, 2011.

Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 Essentials RTM is available for download here.