Microsoft has angered the channel by killing off a key backup feature from an upcoming update for Windows Home Server.

The company's channel partners are fuming that they have been selling this product on the back of this particular feature.

Microsoft said its Home Server Power Pack 1 would not only fix a number of minor issues in the software, but also give users the ability to perform full Home Server data backups on external storage devices.

However Todd Headrick, marketing director for Windows Home Server, said the ability to back up the backup database has been dropped due to the interplay with the connector install. According to CRN, the move has embarrassed Microsoft's channel partners' whose patience is wearing thin over Windows Home Server.

One was quoted as saying that while he was in favour of holding the product back until it’s perfect, you can't ship a product and then remove its primary feature set. Another reseller, Chris Rue, CEO of Black Warrior Technology, said that Microsoft really needs to get its act together. X