also @ TechSpot: Weekend Open Forum: Imagining Google's own country

› ›

Microsoft releases public beta of Windows Home Server 'Vail'

By

On April 27, 2010, 11:10 AM

Microsoft yesterday announced that the next generation of its Windows Home Server, codenamed Vail, has now entered the public beta phase. The company was fairly light on details but it did confirm the release includes feature improvements in three areas for consumers: Extending media streaming outside the home or office, multi-PC backup and restore, and a simplified setup and user experience.

The English-only beta is built on Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit, unlike the previous version which was based on Windows Server 2003 32-bit, and includes a new software development kit (SDK) for anyone who wants to create add-in applications for Vail. The folks over at MediaServer.net have already posted their preview of the platform. The new media capabilities have a lot in common with Windows 7, offering transcoding, streaming, and remote playback to other networked machines -- all of which is managed through the Windows Home Server web front-end.

To try it out, users must register at Microsoft Connect. The install itself wipes the system clean and the minimum requirements include a 1.4 GHz x64 processor, 1GB RAM, and at least one 160 GB hard drive.

No tags on this story

6 comments

User Comments: 6

Got something to say? Post a comment
  1. April 27, 2010 12:38 PM
    Timonius
    Timonius said:

    Whoever came up with codename 'Vail' deserves a V for VAILURE. I mean seriously, what are they thinking?

    Reply
  2. April 27, 2010 1:21 PM
    tengeta
    tengeta said:

    As with most Microsoft projects, its named after a city. Try some google next time?

    Reply
  3. April 27, 2010 3:17 PM
    Timonius
    Timonius said:

    Okay, okay, I jumped the gun a little too quickly on this one

    Reply
  4. April 27, 2010 4:38 PM
    Guest said:

    dont worry Timonius, its still popular to hate MS and everything they do. You fit right in. Congrats.

    Reply
  5. April 27, 2010 7:12 PM
    Guest said:

    Kinda figured everyone knew MS naming conventions, since they have been doing it..... ALWAYS. Comment fail.

    Reply
  6. April 28, 2010 11:13 AM
    Guest said:

    I thought V for VAILURE was funny...

    Reply

Recently commented stories

Post a new comment

Social Login & Guest Posting TechSpot Members
Login here or sign up for free,
it takes about a minute.
Get complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.
TechSpot on:

Most Popular

Trending Featured
More Trending Topics

Featured on Routers

Downloads and Drivers

Downloads   Drivers  

J. River Media Center 18.0.187

ComicRack 0.9.169

Ashampoo UnInstaller 5.03

Files Terminator Free 2.5.0.11

Advanced Host Monitor 9.50

More Downloads

Latest Discussion

Catalyst Control Center Error 8 replies on Device Drivers

Laptop overheats after coming out of sleep 6 replies on Mobile Computing

Which is the best smartphone to buy? 9 replies on Mobile Computing

No monitor signal 64 replies on Audio and Video

External hard drive not showing up on my MacBook Pro 28 replies on Storage and Networking

More Recent Discussion

Subscribe to TechSpot

Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.