How To Install Windows Home Server

I'thou currently running Windows Home Server – version ane which runs on Microsoft Server 2003 technology. WHS 2011 has been out for several months now, and I've decided to upgrade. Hither's how to do a clean install of WHS 2011.

I'chiliad currently running Windows Home Server – version one, which runs on Microsoft Server 2003 technology. All the same, WHS 2011 has been out for several months at present, and I've decided to upgrade. Hither's how to do a make clean install of WHS 2011.

WHS 2011

Before you begin, there are a few things yous demand to know. Start, unlike its 32-fleck predecessor, WHS 2011 is 64-scrap only and requires a minimum of a 160 GB difficult drive and i GB of RAM. Of grade, these are the minimum specs – so at least double everything. Plus, since yous're going to back up your PCs, store multimedia, photos, and all of your documents on it, yous'll desire a good corporeality of storage.

Unless you accept an MSDN or TechNet subscription, you'll need to buy a physical copy of WHS 2011. It varies in toll simply is well nether $100, which is a corking thing! If you download the ISO from Microsoft, use Windows 7 Disc Image Burner to create the bootable install DVD.

Install Windows Home Server 2011

First, brand sure the system is gear up to kicking from the DVD drive first. You tin can do this in the BIOS or hit the appropriate key during startup to select a temporary kicking device. Next, pop the install DVD you bought into your system'south bulldoze.
The first screen you'll need to interact with is selecting a New Install or Repair. Since this is a brand new system, I'm selecting New Installation.

Side by side, select the drive you're installing WHS 2011 to. Check the box that you know the information on the bulldoze volition be wiped. Click Install.

Annotation: If you don't see the local bulldoze listed, you'll need to load the drivers for the controller. Find the drivers and burn them to disc or put them on a USB drive. If you have to do this, remove the WHS 2011 install DVD and bandy it with the driver disk. And so click the Load Drivers button and browse to the location of the drivers and install.

Go along Installation

In one case the local disk is recognized, beginning the installation. Again, the process looks similar installing Windows 7. The server will reboot a couple of times during the outset stage of the install.

You'll see a series of unlike screens while the server is installed. In that location is no user interaction required during this phase.

Brainstorm Setup

When information technology gets to the following screen, you'll demand to enter some data. Verify your State, Time and Keyboard Layout. Click Adjacent.

Set the Time and Appointment for the server.

Concur to the Microsoft Software License Terms. Click the I Accept box at the bottom. Click Next.

Enter Product Key

At present blazon in the product key that came with WHS 20111. Then bank check Automatically activate when I'm Online. This gets the activation over with, so you don't have to deal with it later and get nag screens. Click Next.

Name Server

Now you need to give your server a name…be clever; it'south your new server! The proper noun needs to exist under 15 characters, though. Enter in a stiff countersign twice, then type in a password hint. Continue in listen that everyone can meet your password hint, so don't make information technology too obvious. Click Next.

That is all the information WHS 2011 needs from you. This side by side stage of the install takes the longest amount of fourth dimension. Later on that, your server volition exist updated and configured to utilize. It will have a half-hour or more than – depending on your system specs. After that, you can leave information technology lonely and check on it periodically to make sure everything is working correctly.

Later a half-hour, nosotros have success! Windows Home Server 2011 has been installed and is prepare to use. Click Close.

Connect First Client Reckoner to WHS 2011

Of form, go out the server running, then become to one of the client computers on your network. Open Internet Explorer and in the address bar type: http://yourservername/connect. Where yourservername = the proper noun you lot gave your server. And so in my example, it would be http://geek2011/connect

This lets you download the software that helps you connect your reckoner to WHS 2011.

You'll download wlsetup-spider web.exe – launch the file and follow the magician. The system will verify you take the necessary components, such every bit Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or after. If yous don't, the installer will download and install it for you automatically.

Afterward the necessary components accept been installed, blazon in the countersign you created for WHS 2011.

Then continue to work through the sorcerer. It'south straightforward and text-based. You're asked to enter a description of the client computer, whether or not to wake information technology upwards for backup, and if you want to join the MS Comeback Program.

The client connector software is installed. When it'southward finished, you'll get the following bulletin. Check the box to Open the Dashboard to Administer Your Server and go started right away. Click Finish.

The Dashboard (formerly called WHS Panel) launches. Commencement, sign in with the password you lot gave your server. Next, click Options and check to remember the password and select add together-ins to load.

After signing in, you're presented with the Windows Abode Server 2011 Dashboard. This is where you lot'll do the majority of your admin activity with the server. Start with completing the tasks listed. Start with "Get Update for Other Microsoft Products" and work your style down the list.

A lot has changed since version one of WHS. In the coming weeks, I'll exist writing more articles on what to do next and embrace the many nifty things you can exercise with WHS 2011.