Posted On: Oct 14, 2022

Starting today, all new AWS Directory Service for Microsoft AD (AWS Managed Microsoft AD) directories run on Windows Server 2019. For current customers with existing directories, you can simply update with just a few clicks or programmatically via API. With this feature, you can initiate updates for existing directories when it’s most convenient, avoiding peak business hours, for example. Additionally, starting in March 2023, AWS will begin automatically updating any AWS Managed Microsoft AD directories to Windows Server 2019.

When you initiate the update, AWS Managed Microsoft AD updates all domain controllers automatically, one at a time, including across all regions where the directory is deployed. During the update the directory is active and available for your workloads. You can monitor the progress of your directories from the AWS console and API. For step-by-step instructions, as well as recommendations on planning your directory OS update, please see the Update your directory’s operating system article.

This new feature is available in all AWS Regions where AWS Managed Microsoft AD is available. To learn more, see the AWS Directory Service Administration Guide.