What Do You Want to See in Windows Home Server v2?

By on October 16, 2007 in WHS v2, Windows Home Server

If you read the Q&A that we did recently with the Windows Home Server team, you’ll have seen that they are now thinking about what new features and functionality should go into the next version of WHS.

Hopefully you’ve all been submitting your ideas to Microsoft Connect, but I’d really like to know what you want to see. Here’s my list:

1. System volume backup and restore
2. Media Center integration
3. Online Backup
4. Antivirus Integration
5. Windows Update Management
6. Family Diary
7. Family Website Templates
8. Parental Controls Filter
9. New WHS Console UI

Let me know what’s on your wish list for big new features and I’ll pass them through to the WHS team.


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • TGW

    the ability to have an backup done remotely, so if travelling abroad the users has the ability to have their laptop backed up whenever they have internet access.

  • Dan

    User control to map specific shares to specific drives.
    Support for GPT disk.
    2TB is the current home server limit, and anyone with a raid controller is already running into it. 1.5TB disks are releasing next month, and 3TB disks will already be available when V2 ships.

  • David

    Make it easy to encrypt external server backup drives. I store my backup drive offsite and the added security of encryption would be a welcome addition. How hard could it be to make this a simple checkbox within the existing interface?

  • Bas

    It would be nice that user profiles be shared between multiple client PCs (especially mail / Outlook PST files)

  • Roald

    - Less CPU hunger (for environmental reasons)
    - Mailserver functionality
    - Retail license policy

  • Andrew Macaulay

    I’d add votes for:
    1) Better reliability: especially around restoring clients from the tin, which I tried and failed recently
    2) Good media templates and facilities for web access for Photo, music, and video (with silverlight) to share media with friends & the family
    3) More polish : WS2k3 references, etc. as well as more flexibility (or hooks for flexibility) to change the Web layout – adding tabs with specific virtual directories, etc.
    4) More tools to fix problems, such as client not connecting, client drives being removed (permanently, so need to remove references to them)
    5) Better media integration and support for Vista facilities, e.g. good MCE integration (including option to run this for media sharing) and full support for tagging, etc. from Vista
    6) Full support for online (in the cloud) backup offerings, including backup of the images
    7) More integration with Ms offerings like skydrive, silverlight, foldershare, OneCare, HD photo … It should be a show of Ms product ! 8) This may be best through WS2K8, but don’t care especially as long as the facilities are right.

  • Michael

    I would be more than satisfied with the following:

    1. integration with MCE is KEY! Media is going to be the priority for any family. it should be similar to the way sagetv works with a server/client software. also integration and support of tv tuner cards and the ability to remote in to schedule recordings.

    2. I agree with previous posters that exchange is not needed, but maybe a way to pull email from hotmail is important. also, integration with the whole windows live messenger and skydrive would be great.

    3. I want roving desktops. I want to log into any pc on my network and have my documents and my favorites follow me and look identical to each other.

    4. remote backups and easier access. I am a single guy and only use one of my 10 usernames. I’d like to be able to add my parents in a different city and have them be able to back up and easily access files on my server.

    other than that, I absolutely love this product and can’t wait to see how far they can go with this!

  • Michael

    I would LOVE to see some kind of Calendaring and Scheduling with a link to Windows Mobile phones, using activesync or something. That would be BEAUTIFUL.

  • Zachary McDonald

    More Stuff Built in ?? (One Sku)

    • Compatibility with one care would be nice!
    • The ability to add additional users and computer is a good feature
    • Centralized account management , parent controls and User Data (roaming Profiles)
    • Advanced Power management features
    • Improve Media server ability
    • Integration with live mesh and window live ID

    I like what Jim Clark said
    I would really like to see MS maintain the KISS principals of WHS.

    Anything else should be handled by an add-in (Other SKUS)
    Exchange – give me a add-in
    Home Web Server (WSS Based) – Give me Add-in
    ……………………………….

  • David Creagh

    Some functionality to download at the very least Windows updates for client PCs as a user with limited bandwidth and a usage cap updates are a killer.

  • Beavis

    I’m to lazy to read all the other people’s posts i got about half way but what i want to see is roaming profile because i have 5 desktops and a few laptops and it bugs having that many different users.

  • Richard

    Power management (hibernate etc) please.
    Better streaming to other devices e.g. PS3.

  • Kent

    Client for Macs – I have both Macs and PCs and would love a single backup/filesharing solution for both

  • Allen

    I have 14 PC’s in the house, I would like to see the PC limit increased from 10 to 16.

  • Allen

    By the way I have 10 PC’s now on my WHS, but I only have two users. You don’t need a user name per PC although you will get bugged about passwords not matching. Doesn’t seem to matter though, everything works.

  • Jim

    1. module that will plug into xp home/ vista premium that will allow remote access as pro and ultimate are not justified in the home market.

    2. Home email/calander server (read: 10 client mini exchange server) (as built in or addin small charge would be ok) that would work with the default windows mail/ calander or outlook.

    3. I dont know the proper ms name but a Internet proxy server alowing parental control and managment of wesite’s avalibe instead of setting up in each client (vista premium don’t know if in xp home.

    4. all us folks who have been through the bug’s and beta version one of homeserver a exelent discount.

    5. make sure v2 works on my hp smartmedia server.

  • scrapidou

    It would be great to have a kind of simple DRP feature. For example, be able to backup your most important data through internet to another Media Smart Server running Windows Home Server (a member of your family for example).

  • Mike

    1. File/Folder Synchronization across the network.
    2. Built-in capability to back up the back up sets and shared files to a separate network drive.
    3. Media streaming to compatible devices…also an iTunes server/streaming capability (not sure if this would be possible with the DRM issues out there)
    4. A hard drive extender solution (RAID?) that does not bring your file transfer speeds to a screeching halt when you exceed the capacity of the system drive.
    5. The same simple design to the server that is inherent in WHS right now…as stated above, KISS. That way it will have greater market appeal.

    I like WHS now and think any newer version needs to tighten up the reliability (a corruption bug is simply unacceptable for this type of device), bring new capabilities as identified in forums like these, and maintain its simple user interface.

  • RyanJH

    1. Support for partitions > 2TB
    2. Make it 64 bit.
    3. Some sort of solution for protecting the OS itself from a drive failure, OR officially support RAID.
    4. Some level of intergration with windows media center.

  • Mike

    1. Web Calander/Outlook integration
    2. Remove local user login requirements. Replace with a digital key assigned to each client PC.
    3. Tight integration with Windows Media Center
    4. Provide a set of partners with whom off-site backup of WHS (including the DB) for a subscription?

  • Scott

    An easy upgrade program.

  • John M

    I need my home server to be able to go into standby and stay there until I manually wake it up. If you are one of the people who can’t figure out why on earth a server should go into standby let me say this. These are home servers we are talking about meaning specialized machines who serve a very limited number of people who actively use them for limited time so by having the system powered off one saves money and prolongs the life of the whole system which translates to better reliability and ultimately lower maintenance needs and costs.
    As to the reason why we need standby instead of just shutdown, you cannot shutdown WHS remotely by sending a shutdown message (you have to establish a Remote Destop connection and then shutdown the machine, there’s no convenient way to power on a computer remotely, even if there was a convenient PowerOnLan function WHS currently needs one to enter Ctrl-ALT-Del and his password in order to enter Windows and even if none of the above obstacles existed we would still want to use standby for its speed.
    I hope this helps people understand why we need to be able to use standby as an alternative to shutdown.
    Personally, I am averse to leaving my WHS that holds almost all the HDDs I own (currently 7) sit there 24/7 drawing power and shortening my system’s lifespan.

  • Bill D.

    My WHS 2.0 wish list:
    1. 64 bit OS so I can use more than 4GB of RAM to speed up operations.
    2. Ability to schedule or place time limits on drive balancing.
    3. Better media streaming abilities and better compatibility with living room streaming appliances.
    4. Extensive folder synchronization options – user to server, server to user, and user to user.
    5. Mac client. I have BOTH Macs and PCs. Need one backup solution.
    6. Miniature mail server. Exchange Server Lite?
    7. Morro (upcoming MS free virus scanning) built-in and operating by default.
    8. More expansive real-time hardware monitoring with a matching Vista sidebar gadget for displaying the data. Include, SMART status, CPU speed, CPU utilization, network utilization, fan speeds, and temperatures.
    9. Support for bigger network pipes by combining multiple 1Gb ports like the 4 port Gigabyte motherboards being sold.
    10. Support for shared contact lists and schedules. Link to ActiveSync?
    11. Larger hard drive support. I already have 1.5 TB drives and looking forward to the day when I can install 3 TB or higher.
    12. More utilities for fixing problems when they occur.
    13. Simplified family web sites and blogs hosting. Each family member could have their own web site and blog hosted on the home server.
    14. Better default security settings with more user-friendly tweaking.

  • Mightyt

    Here’s mine …

    1 – Drobo Support
    2 – Built in Web Site Support (Like Whiist, but more features)
    a. Include ability to encode and stream video from web
    b. Allow web site to use Shared Photo’s folder
    3 – Faster
    4 – Easy Upgrade and Migration to new hardware
    5 – Complete and easy Backup and Restore of Primary drive
    6 – Better Defrag
    7 – Larger drive support (Storage is CHEAP!)

  • Klode

    Mostly all of above suggestions including better Media Center integration, so we don’t need to hack the registry to get some functionnality to work.

    Free upgrade to WHS V2.0 to registred users of V1.0. This is a candy for all that had issues with it. Say it or not but WHS was not ready to be RTM. We had to pay for that by loosing data, etc.

    That’s the minimum Microsoft should do to thank us using this product.

  • Ernie Tirado

    The most important thing for me is the ability to restore the main OS without going through the headache of a system factory reset.(HP EX475}
    Very much the way Acronis install itself on a small portion to access for a full restore. This is by far the most complete way I have seen Up to date any restore program work. I have read unfortunately that Acronis is not thinking of making a WHS Version, I hope this is not true.
    Everything else that an WHS ver 2 can give use would be icing on the cake.
    I Love my HP EX 475.
    The General

  • GI-Joe

    Hi,

    I would like to see something like the HP Media Collector, but maybe a better application.

  • Rudy

    A better sw architecture, I hate it when my video/audio playback on a client stutters. Why is it that when I look in the CPU load of the server almost nothing is going on, but for some reason WHS internal managing gets priority on an audio/vidoestream it is streaming to a client?
    The client always gets priority over server internal stuff, except if the system otherwise is going to crash or somethign like that. Harddisk balancing is not a higher priority than streaming video to a client.
    I was looking a DVD this christmas with the whole family suddenly the whole thing stutters and stops because WHS thought balancing was more important, this is absolutely not the way it should be. So now if I want to whatch a DVD without stutter I have to copy it to my client, but I have a server to do that kind of stuff.

  • Terry

    Id like to see account management in the way server 2003 does it. Id like to be able to specify the hours a certain computer can access the home server or even log on.

  • Mesan

    More Robust Backup Database!!!
    A backup database that we can backup!
    A backup database that we can restore onto a new installation of WHS so we don’t lose all our backups!
    A backup database that WORKS as an archival solution!

    That would be my number one thing.

  • RedCat

    Backup scheduling for each PC on network.
    Optional Wake on Lan and Shutdown for PC’s to be backed up.
    Advanced power management for server.
    Ability to repair WHS OS.
    Ability to back and restore WHS OS.

  • daweitz

    Automatic backup of server

  • fatchowmein

    1)
    I’m not sure if WHS has this ability already but I want the drive structure written on the physical drives themselves so regardless of what happens to the main o/s partition, whether it’s a drive failure or I’m upgrading motherboard and CPU, I will be able to reconnect the physical drives and the fresh install of WHS (whether it’s the current WHS or a newer version of WHS) on the new o/s drive can easily rescan and recreate my folder structures.

    The problem is if I’m keeping data for 30 years, I want to be able to easily upgrade the motherboard and cpu. Sure, I can backup the o/s, build a new file server, and attempt to restore the o/s but that doesn’t always work especially if the technology has leaped tremendously.

    The expensive and time consuming solution is to build a new file server while the existing server stays online, copy the data over, and shutdown the old WHS server when done.

    o/s = operating system

    2)
    I want to do away with duplicating folders. Instead, I want to be able to add up to two parity drives. Basically, I want to be able to recreate any failed drives from the parity drives but I want the ability to mirror the parity drives because if you only have 1 and it dies it will take forever to recreate the parity by newly rescanning all the physical drives especially if you have data in the two digit terabytes.

    The most important goal of WHS should be preservation of data. Right now, there is not a simple and cheap data backup strategy for home users when you’re looking at terabytes of data. No, RAID is not a backup strategy.

    Thx for the great site.

  • Bill

    I want it to get up and dance a little jig every once in a while….
    :)

  • Vishal Vishal

    Add a calendar/task pane so we can keep all our appointments in sync on mobile and at home in all computers

  • http://mspowershell.blogspot.com/ Jakob Bindslet

    Wake on LAN for the clients that should be backued up.
    The ability to schedule "balancing" to once/day or week.
    User specified C: size
    More robust backup database (that can be backed up)
    PowerShell scriptablity
    The ability to store a final backup of a retired machine, without having to be notified "more than 400" days have passed since x was backed up.
    64bit support, as well as multicore suport (ie. USE the goddamn cpu to avoid stutters etc.)

  • TimmerV

    1) "Pause/Delay Backup" added to Backup Status dialog box. Most of the time I don't want to CANCEL the backup — just delay it.
    2) Reduce the PC CPU overhead during backups. And/or make it an option.
    3) Ability to set/override backup times on a per PC basis.
    4) Faster Console logins to the Server. Why should it take 45 seconds to login? Jeez!!! Like I've got nothing better to do…
    5)

  • pgm554

    Fix the OS fingerprint to look like like some OS(2003,2008 Vista ,XP).
    Drivers from folks like Brother for printers and scanners don't know what OS it is.
    It's not SBS 2003 according to the inf files or 2008 or Vista or XP.

    Fix the server OS so that can be used as a desk toptoo without a ton of tweaks.

    Fix the screensavers,the frigging thing will sit at a login and not go to screen save or blank.

    I use SBS 2003 at a couple of offices I maintain and this thing is a bastardized step child of SBS 2003 ans 2008.

    This was a waste of $150 bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • e-possum

    Hey Guys,

    The more I think about it, I think the new version of Home Server should keep a copy of the OS on each drive connected to the server. One drive will remain as the primary, but the BIOS could look for secondaries if the primary drive craps out. That way we wouldn't have to bust out the system restore disk as often. Each copy of the the OS could be linked to the MAC address (or something) so there would be no concerns about multiple installs of one license. Come on guys…this should be an easy one!

  • Draeconix

    So many oppurtunities for MS. I personally would like to see a better drive balancing solution. Something that could be run manually and would more evenly space the information across the drives in a more timely manner.

  • Peter

    I'm happy with my WHS setup. What I miss is a nice plugin for control over power and noise. I'd like to be able to adjust fan speeds according to temperature or workload. And have the harddisks go in standby when the server is idle.

  • Mark

    1)media center integration: I know this requires video cards ect, but at least give me the option to easily add tuner cards and use the server for recording, it's on 24/7 so why not use it! this should be a default add-in activated when adding a tuner card.
    2)backup of server
    3)calender integration, should be an essential part for a home server! preferable syncing with windows mobile phones as well
    4)build in media streaming
    5)extension of WHIIST
    6)integrated weblog application

    In general I love my WHS, saved me this week again, when my laptop was messed up by our system administrator

  • Bert

    Hi,

    The way for Microsoft to make me happy is to fully integrate MCE into WHS. I would like to use the WHS (built myself) also as MCE machine. My mobo is connected to my Home Theatre System and my TV.

    I allready tried several options like MCE on a VirtualServer or WHS on a VirtualPC… that is not the way it should be. None of those options works fine.

    Any suggestions ?

    I am affraid that I have to wait for Microsoft to grant my wish.

    Greetings,

    Bert

  • Quentin

    I’d like to see integration with Windows 7 Homegroups. I’d also like to see a single-box solution so WHS can act as a router and firewall to the Internet (2+ NICs onboard).

    Backups.

    Support for volumes > 2TB

  • Nate

    As stated several times – OS backup

    The ability to exclude the OS drive from the drive pool.

    Migrate to Vista/2007 installation process

    Serial numbers for drives

    Indicators for drive activity… I see my hard drives trashing, but WTF is it doing?

    Built in Antivirus (MSE??? maybe?)

    Templates for homepage that include system status, drive status, etc… (P80 is pretty cool)

    I really like WHS, a few tweaks and it would be awesome.

  • Robert

    How about give us the abilty to 'maximize' the size of WHS console screen to the match the size of our desktop.

  • Chris

    Do not include the system drive (C:) in the ED pool. Let the OS and swap do their own thing on C:

  • KoZeeland

    I sure would like to have , besides all the other options mentioned, finally a option to have WHS to ignore the connection of USB drives as it does USB sticks. If one has to tranfer some big files or presentations to a external drive. WHS is very irritating with the continious reporting a new drive added. If they do build in a option to suppress that warning, I would be very happy!

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