Windows Home Server is designed to be the core of a home network and to deliver a range of capabilities from storage, to sharing and backup, but one thing that it will not provide is email functionality. Following user feedback, Todd Headrick the product planner for the Microsoft Windows Home Server, explained the reasons Microsoft did not add email functionality to WHS.

According to Microsoft's research made in preparation of Windows Home Server, consumers do not wish to switch from hosted email solutions to other alternatives. Approximately 86% of consumers from Microsoft's target group for WHS expressed their satisfaction with hosted email services.

"They often use the free e-mail accounts from their broadband provider and they also have a free e-mail account from 1 or more of the Big 4 (MSN Hotmail, Gmail, AOL, or Yahoo). They like the convenience of a hosted e-mail solution," revealed Headrick.

Additionally, integrating Exchange into Windows Home Server is not a viable strategy as long as Microsoft already has such a product on the market. Windows Small Business Server contains Microsoft Exchange. "If you really want to host your own on-premise e-mail server in your home - then use Windows SBS," added Headrick.

Additionally, the costs associated with Windows Home Server have to be maintained at a low level. Joel Sider, Sr. Product Manager, Windows Server PR Microsoft revealed to Softpedia that the Redmond Company estimates that WHS will cost in the range of a low-end PC.

However, Headrick said that according to Microsoft's research, the company's plans might change in order to tailor fit the demand.