So you did the research, saved up the cash, laid out the cables, and cleared off some shelf space for your very first, very own Windows Home Server.

Like many before you, you too may have done your homework and realized early-on that a simple NAS solution was not going to cut it anymore.
Given the endless possibilities in front of you and high hopes for your future together, you marvel and wonder, now what?....

Here are ten things you might want to do next to get an optimal and pleasant Windows Home Server experience:

1. Enable and perform automatic Windows Updates, OEM manufacturer updates, BIOS or firmware updates.
    
2. Configure user accounts and shared folders structure. Turn on folder duplication for all or appropriate directories and ensure sufficient storage is  on hand.
    
3. Enable and configure media sharing so that DNLA (Digital Living Network Alliance) devices can consume media such as videos, photos and music.
    
4. Install your very first useful add-in; for this occasion we would recommend WHS Disk Management from Tentacle Software.
    
5. Please refrain yourself from going on a potentially dangerous WHS add-in installation frenzy!
    
6. Personally I like to assign a static IP address (manually or reserve a DHCP lease via your router) for your Windows Home Server – consistency is nice.
    
7. Migrate, import or copy your data into the shared folders on your WHS.
    
8. Contemplate and implement an external back-up plan.
    
9. Install the 120 day trial version of WHS into a Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 VM environment; with virtual machines additions one can quickly test new add-ins or configuration settings without putting your real Windows Home Server or data at risk.
    
10. Connect your precious digital servant to a good and healthy Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) supported by Grid Junction and sleep better at night.

Please feel free to add to this list or discuss it in the forums.