If you want to give Windows Home Server 2011 a try before you shell out then you can try Microsoft’s online evaluation.
With the online evaluation you can try:
Adding a user
Using the client Launchpad
Managing PCs to ensure its health and security
Protecting the server and PC’s data
Adding server storage capacity
Using Remote Web Access
The evaluation is virtual PC connected virtual Windows Home Server and you can have a good look around the WHS console plus there is a demo guide you can follow. While it does give you a good feel of how the console looks and some of the basic features, its not the same as having access to a time limited build that you can play around with on your home network
According to Microsoft they reason they are not offering a download evaluation is:
Some of the embedded third-party codecs we use within WHS 2011 do not allow us to provide a trial version due to licensing agreements. As a result we can only offer an online experience.
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