Windows Home Server 2011
{{Short description|Home server operating system by Microsoft released in 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox OS version
| name = Windows Home Server 2011
| version of = Windows NT
| logo = Windows Home Server 2011.png
| screenshot = Windows Home Server 2 Desktop.png
| caption = Windows Home Server 2011 desktop
| developer = Microsoft
| website = {{URL|http://www.microsoft.com/windows/homeserver}}
| source_model = {{ubl
| Source-available (through Shared Source Initiative)
}}
| license = Proprietary commercial software
| supported_platforms = x86-64
| kernel_type = Hybrid
| updatemodel = Windows Update
| first_release_date = {{Start date and age|df=y|2011|4|6}}{{Cite web |url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2011/04/05/windows-home-server-2011-now-available-for-technet-and-msdn-subscribers-to-download-today.aspx |title=Windows Home Server 2011 now available for TechNet and MSDN Subscribers to Download today! |last=Kean |first=Kevin |date=6 April 2011 |website=Windows Home Server Blog |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408162800/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2011/04/05/windows-home-server-2011-now-available-for-technet-and-msdn-subscribers-to-download-today.aspx |archive-date=8 April 2011}}
| preceded_by = Windows Home Server (2007)
| succeeded_by = Windows Server 2012 Essentials (2012)
| support_status = Unsupported as of April 12, 2016
| other_articles =
|date=May 2012}}
Windows Home Server 2011, code named Vail,{{Cite web |url=http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/windows-home-server-vail-to-get-more-entertainment-hooks/1217 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223152904/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/windows-home-server-vail-to-get-more-entertainment-hooks/1217 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2010 |title=Windows Home Server 'Vail' to get more entertainment hooks |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |date=25 February 2008 |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive}} is a home server operating system by Microsoft designed for small office/home offices{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/which-should-a-small-business-choose-windows-home-server-or-windows-server-foundation/ |title=Which should a small business choose: Windows Home Server or Windows Server Foundation? |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |date=9 November 2009 |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2 February 2010 |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025022154/https://www.zdnet.com/article/which-should-a-small-business-choose-windows-home-server-or-windows-server-foundation/ |url-status=live }} and homes with multiple connected PCs to offer protected file storage, file sharing, automated PC backup, remote access, and remote control of PC desktops.{{Cite web |url=https://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/08/bill-gates-unveils-windows-home-server-at-the-2007-international-consumer-electronics-show/ |title=Bill Gates Unveils Windows Home Server at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show |date=8 January 2007 |website=News Center |publisher=Microsoft |location=Las Vegas |access-date=8 January 2007 |archive-date=9 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409010657/http://news.microsoft.com/2007/01/08/bill-gates-unveils-windows-home-server-at-the-2007-international-consumer-electronics-show/ |url-status=live }} It was released on 6 April 2011{{Cite web|date=29 March 2011|title=Windows Home Server 2011 is Ready for Release|url=http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2011/03/29/windows-home-server-2011-is-ready-for-release.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401133946/http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2011/03/29/windows-home-server-2011-is-ready-for-release.aspx|archive-date=1 April 2011|website=Windows Home Server Blog|publisher=Microsoft}}
{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-releases-windows-vail-server-to-manufacturing/ |title=Microsoft releases Windows 'Vail' server to manufacturing |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |authorlink=Mary Jo Foley |date=29 March 2011 |website=ZDnet |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=5 July 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731180823/https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-releases-windows-vail-server-to-manufacturing/ |url-status=live }} following the release of Power Pack 3 for its aging predecessor, Windows Home Server. Windows Home Server 2011 is the last Windows Home Server release{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-confirms-enthusiasts-fears-no-more-versions-of-windows-home-server/ |title=Microsoft confirms enthusiasts' fears: No more versions of Windows Home Server |date=5 July 2012 |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive}} and was succeeded by Windows Server 2012 Essentials.{{Cite web|title=Windows Server 2012 Essentials Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/B/2/0B22F531-338D-4843-B43B-814D922EB724/Windows%20Server%202012%20Essentials%20FAQ.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831153812/http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/B/2/0B22F531-338D-4843-B43B-814D922EB724/Windows%20Server%202012%20Essentials%20FAQ.pdf|archive-date=31 August 2012|access-date=29 December 2012|publisher=Microsoft|pages=4–5}}
Windows Home Server 2011 is based on Windows Server 2008 R2 and requires x86-64 CPUs (64-bit), while its predecessor worked on the older IA-32 (32-bit) architecture as well. Coupled with fundamental changes in the structure of the client backups and the shared folders, there is no clear method for migrating from the previous version to Windows Home Server 2011.{{Cite news|last=Clark|first=Jim|date=11 April 2011|title=How to: Upgrade to Windows Home Server 2011 (Part 1)|work=We Got Served|url=http://wegotserved.com/2011/04/11/upgrade-upgrade-windows-home-server-2011/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413164112/http://wegotserved.com/2011/04/11/upgrade-upgrade-windows-home-server-2011/|archive-date=13 April 2011}}
Features
Windows Home Server 2011 includes additional entertainment capabilities, and an add in feature with an app store. Including web-based media functionality.{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/early-version-of-windows-home-server-vail-leaks-to-the-web/ |title=Early version of Windows Home Server 'Vail' leaks to the Web |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |authorlink=Mary Jo Foley |date=27 January 2010 |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=5 July 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522055045/https://www.zdnet.com/article/early-version-of-windows-home-server-vail-leaks-to-the-web/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-home-server-vail-a-web-based-media-center/ |title=Windows Home Server 'Vail': A web based media center? |last=Whittaker |first=Zack |date=28 January 2010 |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive}}{{Cite web|last=Thurrott|first=Paul|date=2 September 2011|title=Windows Home Server 2011|url=http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-home-server-2011-140443|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007145643/http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-server/windows-home-server-2011-140443|archive-date=7 October 2011|website=SuperSite for Windows|publisher=Penton}}
Initial speculation by technology columnist Mary Jo Foley fueled the idea that 'Vail' would integrate with Windows Media Center. This prompted the response "Time will tell" by Microsoft Windows Home Server Product Planner Todd Headrick, but by the time of the public beta Microsoft had decided not to integrate Windows Media Center with 'Vail'.{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Terry|date=26 April 2010|title=What's New in Windows Home Server Vail?|url=http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/08/16/windows-home-server-vail-rc0/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819225512/http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/08/16/windows-home-server-vail-rc0/|archive-date=19 August 2010|website=We Got Served}}
= System requirements =
| class="wikitable"
|+ System requirements{{Cite web |url=http://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/windowshomeserver2011/system-requirements-2.aspx |title=System Requirements |date=30 March 2011 |website=Windows Home Server 2011 Online Help |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224214908/http://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/windowshomeserver2011/system-requirements-2.aspx |archive-date=24 December 2011 |url-status=dead}} | |
| Component | Required specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | 1.3 GHz dual core or 1.4 GHz single core; x86-64 architecture |
| RAM | 2 GB (8 GB Maximum) |
| Hard disk space | At least one 160 GB drive |
=Drive Extender removal=
On 23 November 2010, Microsoft announced that Drive Extender would be removed from Windows Home Server 2011.{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2010/11/23/windows-home-server-code-name-vail-update.aspx |title=Windows Home Server code name "Vail"– Update |last=Leworthy |first=Michael |date=23 November 2010 |website=Windows Home Server Blog |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429101220/http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowshomeserver/archive/2010/11/23/windows-home-server-code-name-vail-update.aspx |archive-date=29 April 2014 |url-status=dead}} This announcement has led to "astonishment and outrage" from testers and users.{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/11/has-microsoft-just-ruined-windows-home-server.ars |title=Has Microsoft just ruined Windows Home Server? |last=Bright |first=Peter |date=26 November 2010 |website=Ars Technica |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=15 June 2017 |archive-date=9 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409040227/http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/11/has-microsoft-just-ruined-windows-home-server.ars |url-status=live }} Criticism of Drive Extender's removal is mainly related to it being seen as a core feature of Windows Home Server and a key reason for adoption. Windows Home Server 2011 developer Michael Leworthy expressed concern that the implementation of Drive Extender might lead to "data error issues."{{Cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-microsoft-can-clean-up-the-mess-in-its-home-and-small-business-server-business/ |title=How Microsoft can clean up the mess in its home and small business server business |last=Bott |first=Ed |date=30 November 2010 |website=ZDNet |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=5 July 2024 |archive-date=21 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621015802/https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-microsoft-can-clean-up-the-mess-in-its-home-and-small-business-server-business/ |url-status=live }} As a result, third-party products entered the market to fill the void left by Drive Extender, including Drive Bender (Division M) and DrivePool (StableBit).{{Cite news|last=Walsh|first=Terry|date=10 October 2011|title=Drive Bender Public Release Arriving This Week|work=We Got Served|url=http://www.wegotserved.com/2011/10/10/drive-bender-public-release-arriving-week/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012081044/http://www.wegotserved.com/2011/10/10/drive-bender-public-release-arriving-week/|archive-date=12 October 2011}}
The volume spanning feature of Drive Extender, in which two or more drives are used as one large storage volume, is available using the Dynamic Disks feature as in any other Windows Server release.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Microsoft Windows family}}