With Windows Home Server released to manufacturing in mid July, Microsoft is already focusing on the upcoming version of its latest operating system. At this point in time, there are little details about what comes next for Windows Home Server. Still, according to Microsoft, the next release of its home server operating system will drop in the first half of 2008. The product initially introduced in January 2007 and codenamed Quattro or Q stirred up quite an interest with over 100,000 beta testers by the end of the development phase, although it was virtually the best kept secret over at Microsoft before the beginning of this year.

"The Windows Home Server team works on a "major" / "minor" / "major" rhythm when it comes to thinking about new product releases. We shipped the first "major" release this summer and helped introduce a whole new category of products - "home servers". We are working on a "minor" release that will come out in the first half of next year, the exact timing and the features are still to be determined. As we lock things down - we will be sure to share them", revealed Todd Headrick, the product planner for the Microsoft Windows Home Server.

Currently, Microsoft has shipped Windows Home Server to original equipment manufacturers world-wide. HP, which was planned to be the first OEM partner to make available the operating system, preloaded on its MediaSmart Server, postponed the release as it waited for the first update for Windows Home Server. The Redmond company informed that the vast majority of OEM partners will have their product on the market by the holiday season. At this time, Microsoft has also delivered the system builders' version of Windows Home Server. The last release promised by the end of September that failed to materialize was a free 120-day evaluation edition.

"We are also starting to narrow the scope for the next "major" release of Windows Home Server as the planning process has started. It is way too early in the game to even postulate what will and won't make the cut for that release at this time and when it will ship. We have scoured the Community forums, and read every suggestion submitted through the Windows Home Server Connect site", Headrick added.