Microsoft struggles to fix data corruption bug in Windows Home Server

Microsoft still has not issued a fix for a problem within Windows Home Server that will leave some files corrupted if edited on a networked PC and saved to the home server.

The problem was initially discovered on December 21, and can occur when users edit a file, document or image already stored on Windows Home Server. The company updated its list of affected applications last week.

"Microsoft is working diligently to address the data corruption issue with Windows Home Server," a spokesperson told BetaNews today. "Under specific circumstance, when customers use programs to directly edit files stored in Shared Folders on Windows Home Server, the files may become corrupted. Windows Home Server's Home Computer Backup capabilities, PC Health Monitoring, and Remote Access functionality are not impacted."

If a user has a Windows Home Server system with a single drive, there is no chance of corruption, as the problem occurs only when a server has more than one drive, according to Microsoft.

The original list of programs that put saved information at risk was based on seven Microsoft products, but has ballooned to more than 20 applications, as Microsoft tries to reproduce the errors.

Furthermore, it's possible even more programs could cause corruption, Microsoft acknowledged. Apple iTunes, Winamp, Windows Media Player 11, Mozilla Thunderbird, Zune Software, Office Excel and several other programs have been added to the list of programs that customers have reported also are problematic.

While Microsoft works on a fix for the problem, which "is of the highest priority for the team," the delay has been caused due to the high level of difficulty for the company in replicating all the bugs.

Microsoft urges all Windows Home Server users to back up important data before attempting to store files on the system, which is surely not what potential buyers want to hear.