May 15th, 2008

Microsoft cuts backup from Windows Home Server PowerPack

Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 4:05 pm

Categories: Windows server, Database, Corporate strategy, Windows Home Server, Channel, System builders, OEMs, Resellers, Service Pack

Tags: Microsoft Windows Home Server, Server, Microsoft Corp., Backups, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Mary Jo Foley

Microsoft won’t be delivering database backup as one of the new features promised for the first “PowerPack” update for Windows Home Server when it ships later this year.

The independent “We Got Served” Home Server blog acknowledged the feature cut in a May 9 entry. According to the post by site owner Terry Walsh:

“Unfortunately, due to interplay issues with the Windows Home Server Connector install, and to prevent the risk of users encountering a corrupted backup database, the ability to create a backup of your backup database has now been removed from the latest builds. The good news is that shared folder backup is unaffected.”

Earlier this year, Microsoft officials decided to delay the release of PowerPack 1 in order to incorporate a fix for a serious data-corruption bug. Microsoft officials said to expect a beta of the combined PowerPack1-data-corruption fix in May, with a final release some time in the second half of 2008.

CRN noted that channel partners are none too happy about Microsoft’s decision to cut backup from PowerPack 1.

Microsoft is positioning Windows Home Server as a “’stay-at-home’ server that delivers the benefits of powerful server technology used by many people at work within a simple, easy-to-use solution for the home.”