Some of you may be interested in trying a homebuild/DIY Home Server, or perhaps friends or family aren’t convinced about the value of the MediaSmart Server or Windows Home Server and want to try it themselves for free prior to a purchase. To support you, Microsoft has made the 120-Day evaluation version of Windows Home Server available for download, instead of the pesky CD/DVD ordering process that has been in place.
Note that to use the Evaluation Edition for the full 120-day period, you need to register at the Windows Home Server Connect site and acquire a product key for the Windows Home Server Evaluation Edition software.
Article by Alex Kuretz
I'm Alex Kuretz, and I'm the founder of MediaSmartServer.net. I was the Lead Test and Integration Engineer at HP for the MediaSmart Server until April 2008 when I moved on to other opportunities outside HP. I've kept active in the Windows Home Server community, creating several add-ins and helping users make the most of their Home Servers.
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MS no longer gives out 120 day trial for WHS, now it is WHS SP3 and it is a 30 day demo and you cannot buy a license for this version. Must buy WHS system from an approved vendor i.e. Acer, HP, etc. You can still purchase WHS SP1 from New Egg and Amazon, hurry limited quantities!
This is not my understanding. In fact, the previous 120 eval could NOT be upgraded, you had to re-install WHS when you purchased a license. The new demo is a 30 day evaluation and it is my understanding that you can then activate the copy of WHS. Finally, I do not expect MS to stop selling WHS via the systembuilder route (i.e. Newegg, Amazon, etc) and have heard of no requirement that end users must purchase an OEM Home Server.
http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowshomeserver/archive/2009/12/04/windows-home-server-free-trial-now-with-power-pack-3.aspx
If you have additional details, please share links.
I am a registred member of Live Windows and I am trying to install trial version of Windows Home Server and I have been requested for installations keys. I am unable to install WHS due to the lack of product key.
Could anybody help me to obtain WHS trial version keys.
Thanks in advance,
Narmelyn
The evaluation version has changed, it’s now a 30 day trial demo that you can get here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/eval.mspx