avast!anti-virus WHS Edition has been in beta for the past few months, with many WGS readers testing the product and submitting feedback and bugs. Today, the product was released to manufacturing, and is now available to order and download directly from Avast’s website.
avast! is the first dedicated anti-virus product to be released for Windows Home Server, and offers full protection for your server as well as the opportunity to scan, manage and update avast! Professional Edition running on your home computers from within the WHS Console (managing the free Home Edition is not supported).
Avast are making available a Professional Family Pack, which protects your home server and up to 10 home computers (the maximum number of home computers WHS supports), which will enable you to manage anti-virus protection of your whole WHS network from within the WHS Console. This is priced at $79.95 (£49.95) for 1 year and $148.33 (£91.66) for 3 years. For me, that seems like a great price and it’s cool that Avast have brought out a family pack - let’s hope other software companies do the same (are you listening Raxco/Diskeeper?) 
If you just want to protect your home server, the WHS Edition is priced at $39.95 (£24.95) for 1 year and $74.13 (£45.76) for 3 years. A free 60 day trial is available to download and best of all, they’re offering a 25% discount on all purchases until January 31st 2008. For more info, check out the Avast website.
We have 3 avast!anti-virus WHS Edition licenses to give away! In the usual way, just answer the question in the comments section below, and in a week’s time, we’ll pull out 3 names and email addresses out of the hat.
To be in with a chance of winning: What holiday gift are you hoping to receive this year?
Good luck to all, and thanks to Avast for the freebies!
Update: The competition is now closed. Thanks to everyone that entered. Hope you all got what you wanted!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Great price for ten computers and the WHS server. But winning one free would better still!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I’m looking forward to peace on earth and good will towards all but wouldn’t turn down the free software on a bet!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I am hoping to receive a Avast!anti-virus WHS Edition.. some protection for my WHS would be nice.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I’m hoping for a winning Lotto ticket so I can retire to my Fortress of Solitude and finally beat Guitar Hero on Expert mode.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
All I want for Xmas is a Fender Stratocaster… or a copy of Avast for WHS.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
A partridge in a pear tree..of course
December 20th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Well I’m hoping for a nice new Polar S725x Heart Rate Monitor, but If I don’t get one of those then a nice copy of Avast! anti-virus WHS Edition would help ease my pain… Happy Christmas.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I’m looking forward to good times with family and friends…. and when I can’t stand them anymore, i want a Sonos.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I would like to get an iPod Touch this year, although I seriously doubt anyone will give me one.
Of course, getting a free copy of Avast! WHS would be great too! Kudos to Avast! for getting us this product for our Home Servers!!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I want a secure and safe network that just works like a dream. Avast for WHS looks like it would really help.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Peace on Earth and in our Household - but a HD camcorder would be nice too!
December 20th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
All I want for a holiday gift is two cartons of eggnog. One for myself and one for a special someone.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Time-off from work
December 20th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
HP Media Smart Server, because this product is unavailable in Poland.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I want a warranty for my 2 cats
December 20th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
I would really like a larger HD for my MediaSmart but free software would be nice too..
December 20th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I just want my stuff to work right, but I have a 15-year-old…
December 20th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
My data needs avast, so I don’t wish anything but that my data is satisfied
December 20th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
I’m hoping to finally get an XBox 360 that I can integrate with my WHS. Then again, I would be more than happy to receive a free license for Avast WHS edition.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
A copy of avast! Antivirus WHS edition of course! Seriously, I have most everything that I need. The one item that I’m hoping to get is one of the Philips combination HDTV / PC monitors that was on sale on their website.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I’m probably the only person in the world hoping to receive a Vista Upgrade DVD for Christmas.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Well, since someone else asked for peace on earth, I’m hoping to get a free copy of avast! antivirus whs edition for xmas ;D
December 20th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
New RAM for the laptop would be great! …And avast! since it is now RTM
December 20th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
My WHS is all lonely this holiday season and an avast anti-virus would really cheer it up!!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
All i want for Christmas is my two front teeth
December 21st, 2007 at 12:05 am
I want an WHS Vista x64 connector for christmas, and SP1 for Vista, and Avast Anti-virus since everyone else is asking for it!
December 21st, 2007 at 12:26 am
I would like some milk & cookies and “avast! Anti-Virus WHS Edition” to keep all the viruses out of my home server so I don’t get infected by tainted milk & cookies!!!! Yep, my WHS serves milk and cookies, does yours?
December 21st, 2007 at 12:38 am
A new media center extender
December 21st, 2007 at 12:41 am
For Christmas I would like to get some new boxers…. because I really like to get boxers for christmas gift…. doh…
December 21st, 2007 at 12:45 am
Call of Duty 4 for Windows … but I’ll be nearly as happy with a free copy of avast! WHS edition.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:10 am
I happen to be in the know regarding a new TomTom Go 520 SatNav and a 10″ digital photoframe winging their way to me for Christmas. I’m hoping to install WHS on a new HP ML110 Server - cheap at Misco - over the New Year.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:11 am
I would like to get a HP mediasmart home server as I have just seen one in person and it blows my home built one away in size and ease of use but if I can only get one thing it is that my wife and suceed in having creating a second child seems it’s way hard to make one when your actually trying.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:12 am
Well done avast! - would love to win a free copy!
December 21st, 2007 at 1:57 am
I wishing for a long, successful Kucinich presidency…. oh wait…. that’s *next* year.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:01 am
A nice new shiny copy of Avast WHS would be awesome
A free copy is even better 
December 21st, 2007 at 2:05 am
I want the winning Florida Lotto ticket this Saturday. I’d even share!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:09 am
The orange box for My Xbox 360 - and a 64 bit connector for my Home server
Also hope that everyone has a happy healthy holiday!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:09 am
I would like to have Windows Home Server as a system-builder edition so I could build a home server system. With regards,
Simon
December 21st, 2007 at 2:12 am
I wanted a HP WHS…and surprise…it will be here tomorrow! Much better than the one I cobbled together.
Merry Christmas!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:22 am
All I want for Xmas is to be able to buy an HP WHS somewhere in Canada! No one sells them here and stores don’t take special orders anymore (what’s up with that?!), so online is the only way - but even hpshopping.ca isn’t selling it to Canada yet! Aaagh!
My eval kit + recycled system is expiring soon, I’m running out of options
December 21st, 2007 at 2:40 am
I’d like a biking jacket for Xmas!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:55 am
All I want for Christmas is a way to get Webguide4 up and running on my WHS
December 21st, 2007 at 3:25 am
Yes, we’re listening! We made one pricing announcement today (see http://www.perfectdiskblog.com) - stay tuned…
Joe Abusamra
Raxco Software, Inc.
December 21st, 2007 at 3:43 am
I want a shiny new webcam for christmas!
December 21st, 2007 at 4:03 am
I am hoping to receive a shiny new HP EX470.
Merry Christmas to everybody.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:18 am
I beach vacation without the laptop or cell phone!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:29 am
Great job Terry in getting these companies to hand out free software. Keep it up!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:30 am
An undefeated New England Patriots football season!!! Go Pats!
December 21st, 2007 at 5:36 am
A negitve test result on my wifes breast cancer testing
December 21st, 2007 at 5:47 am
1 GB more storage for my WHS
December 21st, 2007 at 6:09 am
I’d love to get an xbox 360 for christmas.. it would be the trifecta with my home server and vista ultimate.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:53 am
Building my own Server during the Christmas Holiday. A nice new shiny copy of Avast WHS would be a “Great” Christmas present from Wegotserved for me. Thanks in advance “wegotserved”.
December 21st, 2007 at 7:50 am
A new job
December 21st, 2007 at 7:53 am
I’d love to get a burst of energy & shave off 30 seconds from my per-mile pace
December 21st, 2007 at 8:07 am
i hope to get a car
December 21st, 2007 at 8:12 am
A giant Pioneer plasma
December 21st, 2007 at 8:19 am
A Porsche 911
December 21st, 2007 at 8:25 am
Since I am moving from Cologne to Munich ( both in Germany ) I hope to get some stuff for my new flat. No tech stuff but I need a mirror for in the bath.
December 21st, 2007 at 8:38 am
My Tranquil T2-WHS-A3 is already waiting for me under the christmas tree
December 21st, 2007 at 9:03 am
I’d like anything tech really. Perhaps a new 30″ monitor? That would be nice!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:18 am
A GPS for christmas would be great!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:29 am
I am hoping to be given, through divine intervention, some sort of coordination so that I can keep up with Guitar Hero III - jesh it’s hard and I play the real thing too!!!!
Happy Xmas all….
December 21st, 2007 at 9:34 am
A couple of 1TB hard drives for the server would be nice for Christmas - virus protected, of course!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:34 am
I’ll settle for Health and Happiness - anything else is a bonus!
December 21st, 2007 at 9:48 am
I wish for a new updatet fanless XBOX360 for Christmas. Hope Santa can deliver when Microsoft doesn’t
December 21st, 2007 at 11:03 am
A Dual LCD setup with bracket to add to existing LCD. Have hinted and left information. I want to get the full picture view of being in the cockpit as I fly on the new Flight Simulator that I purchased!
December 21st, 2007 at 11:24 am
All I want for Christmas is to have happiness and joy from everyone
December 21st, 2007 at 11:54 am
I’d really like my Tranquil WHS system to turn up before Christmas. Fingers crossed!
December 21st, 2007 at 11:56 am
A gift certificate for avast! Anti-Virus WHS Edition.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:03 pm
My beta edition of Avast Antivirus for WHS has been running flawlessly. I’m hoping for the ten license package for Christmas. Great price for it. Yes we need more vendors to offer the WHS pack editions.
December 21st, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I already got my gifts (A home built WHS and a few 360 games, my wife loves me) but a free copy of Avast would be quite a nice addition!
December 21st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
The new Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS 512 video card and a new shiny family pack (after all Christmas is all about family) Avast WHS to keep all our valuable PC “stuff”safe
December 21st, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I would love to get a fully loaded dell xps m1530 notebook, but the biggest joy will bring to me a nice and quite holiday with my loved ones…
December 21st, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I;m hoping for a change of mind for my girlfriend.. allowing me to have a Media Center downstairs in the livingroom.. got the TV, got the stereo.. now i want also my computer there.. but women usually do not understand the power of computing technology.. and the fun it brings to men!
December 21st, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Diskeeper and Avast for my WHS…. and happy holiday to everyone
December 21st, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Wow, there are so many things that I “want”, but actually few that I “need”. There are some real thoughtful (and funny) ideas already posted here. Anything technology-based would be a thrill, but perhaps my health and happiness in general is enough. Of course, protection for my WHS won’t hurt at all! Hopefully Kaspersky Labs will jump on the bandwagon some day! Thanks. Happy Holidays.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
All I want for Christmas is to not have to worry about anything… like did I get the right gift? How big are my credit card bills? Or is my WHS protected from viruses?
December 21st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
I hoping that all my extended family and especially my two sons have the a good Christmas this year since this will be the first for both of them completely away from home.
December 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I woul like to see
under the tree
A little black box with LED
And three terrabyte drived all in a row
Rich
December 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I’m hoping to get a 24″ widescreen monitor
December 21st, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I built my own WHS, but I covet the HP MediaSmart Server:) . I have my eye on a 22″ Bright Screen Monito rfrom HP as well, for my workstation of course. But I really have all that I need for now. Oh well, its fun to dream anyway!
December 21st, 2007 at 4:56 pm
a Xbox 360 and a 46″ Samsung HDTV
December 21st, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Happy Christmas Terry - and everyone else too!
I am really hoping that Father Christmas brings me an XBOX 360 - I really want to stream my DivX films from my WHS to my telly!
Thanks
Matt
December 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
All I want for Christmas is a day off on Xmas day…
December 21st, 2007 at 5:27 pm
My wife back home before Christmas - she is looking after her very ill mum.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:34 pm
First I would like to thank Avast for the freebies! I would like to see more products for the WHS for 2008.
December 21st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I think that a free copy of Avast AV for WHS would be the best holiday gift of all! Oh yeah and peace on earth.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I ran the WHS beta on a computer made from parts out of several peoples junk boxes. As I write this I am installing the trial version WHS on a new (to me anyway) Compaq SFF computer with a 2.7 GHz CPU. This is part of what I was hoping to get. The rest would be the full version of WHS so I can forget about piecing things together for a while and let WHS do its thing.
December 21st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
I’d like to get a media extrender for WHS.
December 21st, 2007 at 7:00 pm
In the tradition of B&D McK.
A Beer. (iiinnn a treeee…)
December 21st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Windows Home Server Unleashed. So I can get the most out of my home build!
December 21st, 2007 at 7:50 pm
How about a nice home for my homeserver and me, Merry Xmas
December 21st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
I have used avast home editions for years. It was the first to come up with vista x64 and the firts for whs.
Tere is no alternate antivirus solution
December 21st, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Im actually hoping for a HP EX475. I live in Norway and HP has announced it for end of Q1, but a friend of mine is going home to the US for Christmas. Hopefully my girlfriend has made the arrangements for me to get a late Christmas present!
Avast would be the icing on the cake!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Humm, let me think… Ah yes, I’m hoping that I would not take more longer painkiller for my back which has been me suffering for 6 months. Just walking is extremelly painfull, and that’s not something I would want for my ennemies…
Oh by the way, if you have to come in France, make a trip into Lille, it’s such a wonderfull city and don’t miss it’s fully automated subway (which has been the first one in activity in the world).
PS: Sorry for my bad English, I’m living in the other side of the Channel.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Oops, by the way, Merry Christmas everyone!
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:55 am
peace on earth and goodwill to all… but really… a console based defrag that lets you manage all of your systems from the console!
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:12 am
Hoping that everyone will have a good time together as a family. No other christmas present could compare.
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:42 am
I would like to have for Christmas a president with a brain cell, but if I can’t have that I would like a Razer Lycosa and some avast to protect all the little who’s in whoville.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
December 22nd, 2007 at 6:45 am
A Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 would be nice!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:51 am
Peace.
December 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Keep up the great site in the New year. Merry Christmas all!
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I personally would love to receive a Radeon 3870, either Diamond or Powercolor, as this would free up some funding to complete my WHS build which wouldn’t be complete without a copy of Avast WHS Edition. I’ve been using Avast for a few years now on at least three different builds of my own and have put it on my wife’s PC, all of my grandparents’ PC’s, several friends’ and other relatives within the family, etc. I must have put it on at least 10 PC’s at this point. Those guys at Alwil are terrific. Merry Christmas to all, and here’s to hoping everyone gets their holiday wishes granted!
December 22nd, 2007 at 2:36 pm
A nice lie in then the wife waking me up by saying the christmas dinner is ready and I don’t have to cook.
More chance of winning the lottery twice, but I can dream.
December 22nd, 2007 at 8:27 pm
A PlayStation 3 would be a nice surprise. Happy Xmas everyone.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:44 pm
A happy family.
December 23rd, 2007 at 3:48 am
More Wii games ! Merry Christmas !
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:10 am
Rock Band for the Xbox 360
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:44 am
I’m hoping to that, as a nation (U.S.), we finally get a government that works for us and not against us. That would be the best Christmas gift of all. Universal healthcare would be a good start.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:48 am
I hope to get a couple of new SATA drives and CASH! Merry Christmas
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:23 am
I’m hoping for a copy of UT3.
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 am
Hoping for a hp home server for christmas so i dont have to use my old 1 ghz amd athalon from the closet.
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:38 am
I hope to get a Wii (and some great Anti-virus software).
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:36 am
My birthday is two days before Christmas so I’m hoping for several gifts
I was hoping for a Wii, but since it can’t be found anywhere, I’d settle for some PC Games (The Witcher, World In Conflict, and Gears of War, to name a few) - so my WHS will have new stuff to backup
December 23rd, 2007 at 2:52 pm
A new FULLHD 57″ Toshiba Regza to go with my existing HTPC
December 23rd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I’m hoping Santa will pop in with 3 1TB drives
or for someone to write a free Add in to control system on/off timings for my HP mediasmart server 
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:58 pm
All I want for Christmas is to sell our house.. We are supposed to be meeting with some people on Wednesday who will hopefully sign a contract to purchase it! One step closer to our dream of moving!
December 24th, 2007 at 4:41 am
i want front seat to TSO (trans Siberian Orchestra) in dallas tx and also hopefully to win this contest
December 25th, 2007 at 2:34 am
I’d like my boss to give me the day off! Hmmm, that appears not to have happened, Bah - and indeed - humbug! But a week off for New Years should more than make up for it! Merry Christmas all!
December 25th, 2007 at 4:33 am
I would like my colon back
December 25th, 2007 at 7:11 am
I am hoping to get an XBox 360 Elite…
December 25th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
What holiday gift are you hoping to receive this year?
Already received it, what I was hoping for, a Cooler Master iTower 930, for my WHS box.