Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 Released
I am all about helping out companies with beta testing, and I really appreciate it when users do the same for us. However I only have one Windows Home Server, and it has my life on it in digital format. Needless to say, I am not going to risk that over a beta.
So today I was happy to finally get an email from the Windows Home Server Team telling me that the Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 has been released to manufacturing.
After six weeks of beta testing, this looks like a solid update to a great product. I am looking forward to getting it installed and seeing how it goes. Will keep you updated. Below is the email from Microsoft:
Please do not respond to this e-mail. This mailbox is not monitored. If you have questions about this message, please contact us at WHSBeta@microsoft.com Please note: due to Microsoft security requirements, the hyperlink(s) contained in this e-mail may not automatically open your browser. If this happens, please copy and paste the link into the address bar of your browser.
Dear Matthew R. Miller,
The Public Beta of Power Pack 1 for Windows Home Server has been available for just over 6 weeks and we’ve had a fantastic response. Thanks again to those who of you who have downloaded, installed and tested the update package or full ISO installs. The feedback items, requests for additional information and individual follow ups have all gone into making Power Pack 1 the best release it can be.
And now.The team is pleased to announce that Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 has been released to manufacturing (RTM) and is now available on the Microsoft Download Center!
Additional details can be found on the Windows Home Server team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/archive/2008/07/21/power-pack-1-come-and-get-it.aspx
How to download and install Windows Home Server Power Pack 1:
Download Power Pack 1
1. Browse to the Microsoft Web site at http http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/b/d/8bd7fe82-34cc-4026-b8e5-e9e10902312c/WHS-KB944289-v1-x86-ENU.exe
2. On the Download dialog, click Save and then save the file to the Software shared folder on your home server.
Uninstall any prerelease versions of Power Pack 1
1. On the Start Menu, type mstsc and then click OK. On Windows XP, click Run on the Start Menu, type mstsc and then click OK.
2. On the Remote Desktop Connection dialog type the name of your home server and then click Connect.
3. On the Log On to Windows dialog, type Administrator for the user name, and type your Windows Home Server password. This is the same password you use to open the Windows Home Server Console.
4. Minimize or close the Windows Home Server caution window.
5. On the Start Menu, select Control Panel and then click Add or Remove Programs.
6. In Add or Remove Programs check the box for Show updates, look for PRERELEASE Windows Home Server Power Pack 1 (KB944298) and click Remove.
7. Follow the Software Update Removal Wizard to remove the PRERELEASE version of Power Pack 1 and be sure to restart your Windows Home Server.
Install Power Pack 1
1. On the Start Menu, type mstsc and then click OK. On Windows XP, click Run on the Start Menu, type mstsc and then click OK.
2. On the Remote Desktop Connection dialog type the name of your home server and then click Connect.
3. On the Log On to Windows dialog, type Administrator for the user name, and type your Windows Home Server password. This is the same password you use to open the Windows Home Server Console.
4. Minimize or close the Windows Home Server caution window.
5. Double-click the Shared Folders shortcut on your home server desktop.
6. Double-click the Software shared folder.
7. Double-Click WHS-KB944289-v1-x86-ENU.exe and complete the installation wizard to install Power Pack 1. Your home server restarts after the wizard completes.
If you encounter any difficulty downloading, installing or removing a prerelease version of Power Pack 1, please use connect feedback items to report the problem. We will continue to collect and review feedback items until Power Pack 1 is available via Windows Update.
Thank you very much!
The Windows Home Server Team
Email: Whsbeta@microsoft.com
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HP released an update on the same day which includes free McAfee, among other things. MediaSmartHome.com has some good forums threads on how the PP1 is going, along with how to get the update and add-ins for WHS.