Microsoft announced a few months ago that for those wishing to try out Windows Home Server before purchasing, a 120 day Evaluation Kit would be available to order. Then, silence….
..until today!
If you’re in the USA or Canada The Evaluation Kit is now available to order from Microsoft’s website - it comprises the full WHS package:
- Windows Home Server Installation DVD
- Windows Home Server Connector CD
- Windows Home Server Restore CD
The kit itself is free, but there’s a shipping cost of $5.99 in the USA ($9.99 CAD in Canada). Shipping to other countries is also available.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:00 am
I’m forced to wonder if it requires activation and/or if it’s got the same 30 day grace period of the OEM… cause if not on either… I might just have to pick up a copy just for virtual PC use for development and testing.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:04 am
Sadily, not in my area and not for Technet subscriber.
November 2nd, 2007 at 11:22 am
Just ordered this in the UK too this morning
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:33 pm
ok so lets get this math going here. WHS retail 160+ dollars.
WHS 120day(4 month) trial =6 bucks
4×3=12 so three purchaces of WHS trial for one year = 18 dollars
18 dollars times 4 years(about the time WHS2 will be out) 72 bucks
72 bucks is less than half of a retail copy. now if you could just deal with reloading the server every 4 month then this is one hell of a deal
I do not condone this activity cause it can cause issues and possible data loss if any major changed to the file system are made via a downloaded update. also any backups of your pc’s may be lost as well……
but you have to admit that is one hell of a deal
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:56 pm
If we want to then purchase WHS can we just purchase a key and turn this into the full version?
November 5th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Gavin……
I called and asked and they said that the keys are printed at the factory right before shipping and no key can be issued over the phone. So to answer your Q… no.