question about windows home server

[jackofalltrades]

I am thinking of running windows home server but cannot dedicate a machine, can it be used as a regular Os as well? meaning will it run standard apps? or is it really only good as a server?

 

[lxskllr]

AFAIK, it's only a server. You might get some other limited use out of it, but certainly not as a primary desktop computer.

 

[JackMDS]

AFAIK, it's only a server. You might get some other limited use out of it, but certainly not as a primary desktop computer.

+1


It would be like using your Bank Safe as a cash register, :sneaky:

.

 

[yinan]

Run it in a VM is always an option.

 

[JackMDS]

May be it will be more clear if you would explain why you want to use WHS at all.

In most scenarios running WHS on the same environment as a workstation defeats the purpose of running WHS to begin with.

.

 

[RebateMonger]

In most scenarios running WHS on the same environment as a workstation defeats the purpose of running WHS to begin with..

Last year, I took a very hard look at virtualizing (MS Virtual Server) my WHS onto a bedroom media center PC. But I decided it was too risky since I'd probably be tempted to browse the Internet on that PC and I might even want to play some games on it. I wouldn't want my WHS server on a box that could potentially get hit by malware or that may have to be rebooted because of programming errors in a game.

 

[jackofalltrades]

Ok that seems to be the wrong option You see I have been trying to decide between win7 and whs I figured win7 would be my best fit but I thought I would put it out there to see what everyone thought. I will just be sharing a drive for backups prob never really needed a server package anyway.

 

[JackMDS]

If you do not have a second computer and a network, then your best solution is to get Win 7 and an external Drive for bcakup.

If you have an old computer that can be loaded with WHS, and a Router with free port, then WHS is an excellent solution in addition to Win 7 work station.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2029756

.

 

[pcnerd37]

It sounds like you would be best off with a Win 7 pc and an external drive for backup but remember, you need to have an offsite backup too! If your house burned down, you don't want to lose everything, so I recommend using an offsite backup service like carbonite or Amazon's S3 or Mozy or something. WHS is great and I love it on my HP Media Smart Home Server, but it is just for being a server, not a normal computer.