Microsoft has started shipping its Windows Home Server platform in selected regions; it is expected that vendors will start providing hardware running the platform by early October 2007 in the USA. Based on Windows Server 2003 code, the Home Server platform is designed for the digital home where computers and other devices are connected and require shared resources. This includes automatic disk backup, folder and file restore, file and printer sharing, and remote web access for up to ten Windows XP or Vista-based computers connected via a wired or wireless network.

According to Microsoft, the digital home offers a new market for servers that never existed before. Traditionally, homes would seldom have more than one computer and servers were reserved for office environments where numerous computers were connected and required shared resources, security and collaboration applications from a central point.