Windows 7 2012

In short, this is Windows 7 2012 much the Windows Home Server replacement many Windows 7 2012 expecting. Hey, at least you have the option.

A few weeks back, I wrote about how you can connect any PCs running any version of Windows 7 or 8 to Windows Server Essentials without joining the domain. When I wrote Windows Server Essentials: Connect Client PCs without Using a DomainI was working under the assumption that Essentialsas a domain-based Windows Server set up, would require a business-oriented version of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate or Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise. Put another way, I assumed that Essentials was not compatible with home versions of either OS Windows 7 Starter or Home Premium, or Windows 8 Core.

This assumption was incorrect. So it will instead let you continue using your local PC account instead. Then, run the Connection wizard as you would normally. From Windows 7 2012, the PC works normally. You can run the Dashboard and Launchpad software as needed. Centralized PC backups occur in the background, as expected. The server shared folders and media sharing all work normally.