The first Beta for Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server is right on track for delivery by the end of this month to selected testers, and then in a subsequent release to the general public in May. Just as it is tradition at Microsoft, all operating systems are updated by Service Packs, and Windows Home Server is by no means an exception to this rule. This with the small mention that Power Pack 1 is the equivalent of a service pack for Windows Home Server. As such the release will include added functionality as well as performance, stability and reliability fixes. But more importantly, Microsoft now plans to resolve the data corruption issues. The move was determined by customer input.

"We took your feedback into consideration during a recent set of team meetings. The Windows Home Server Storage and Test teams feel strongly that a combined release is the best option because it will result in a better quality product. The current plan of record is to combine the fix for the data corruption bug (KB article #946676) with the release of Power Pack 1," revealed a member of the Windows Home Server team.

Initially Microsoft planned to deliver the Power Pack and the fix for the data corruption problems separately. However, the company's plans have shifted and involve now the melting of the patch with the Power Pack. The fix for the data corruption vulnerability was slated for June 2008, and with two Betas of Power Pack 1 scheduled for April and May, it is now clear that the update for Windows Home Server will also be made available in June.

"The team is making great progress on the data corruption issue. We plan on releasing a beta of Power Pack 1 with the data corruption bug fix to our hardware and software Partners, Microsoft MVPs, Windows Home Server Insiders, and Microsoft Employees in April. And then based on feedback and additional testing, we currently plan on releasing a public beta in May. If you are interested in participating in a future public beta, go to http://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer to register. When the Power Pack 1 software is ready for public testing, we will contact the people that have already registered at the Windows Home Server Connect site with more details on the public beta program," Windows Home Server team member added.