Running Windows Workloads on AWS Just Got Easier with ROSA

Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA) now includes integrated Windows licensing for OpenShift Virtualization, simplifying cloud migration for Windows-based applications. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Red Hat have introduced this capability to streamline cloud migration by embedding Windows licensing directly into your AWS compute consumption model. 

The licensing challenge holding back cloud adoption 

Moving virtualized Windows environments to AWS has traditionally required careful navigation of licensing requirements. IT teams must track license entitlements separately from infrastructure costs, ensure compliance across dynamic workloads, and reconcile multiple billing streams. These administrative hurdles often delay or complicate migration projects, even when the technical path forward is clear. 

The new capability changes this equation fundamentally. When you deploy Windows virtual machines through OpenShift Virtualization on ROSA, Windows licensing becomes part of your standard AWS billing—measured per vCPU and consumed alongside your Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) bare metal instance usage. Configuration happens at the machine pool level within your ROSA cluster, giving you granular control over where licensing applies. 

How it works on AWS infrastructure 

OpenShift Virtualization on ROSA runs on dedicated Amazon EC2 bare metal instances, providing the performance isolation and resource guarantees that enterprise workloads demand. With Windows License Included enabled, these instances now deliver both the compute foundation and the Windows licensing entitlement in a single, unified consumption model. 

The implementation integrates with the established licensing framework from AWS, designed to help maintain compliance while simplifying cost allocation. Your finance teams see Windows licensing costs flow through the same AWS billing mechanisms they already use for infrastructure spending. No separate vendor relationships to manage, no complex true-up processes, no uncertainty about compliance status. 

Platform teams can activate this capability through their preferred tooling. The OpenShift web console provides a straightforward interface for teams who want visual configuration. Infrastructure-as-code practitioners can leverage Terraform modules to define licensing requirements alongside cluster specifications. For Kubernetes-native workflows, Cluster API Provider AWS (CAPA) support is designed to allow licensing configuration to fit into GitOps pipelines. 

Unified operations for hybrid application portfolios 

Modern enterprises run diverse application portfolios. Legacy Windows applications provide critical business functions. Linux-based services power core infrastructure. Cloud-native microservices deliver new capabilities. Managing these workloads across separate platforms creates operational silos and increases complexity. 

OpenShift Virtualization on ROSA addresses this fragmentation by providing a single platform for virtual machines and containers. Your Windows Server applications run as VMs alongside Linux workloads and containerized services, all managed through consistent Kubernetes APIs and OpenShift tooling. This architectural consolidation reduces the operational surface area your teams must maintain. 

The AWS foundation amplifies these benefits. ROSA clusters span multiple Availability Zones for high availability. Integration with Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC) enables sophisticated network topologies. AWS Identity and Access Management (AWS IAM) provides enterprise-grade access control. Your existing AWS commitments and discount programs apply to ROSA consumption, including the newly bundled Windows licensing. 

Accelerating your modernization timeline 

Cloud migration isn’t just about moving workload, it’s about creating flexibility for future evolution. By removing licensing friction, this capability helps organizations move faster on their modernization roadmap. 

Start by migrating Windows VMs that are ready for cloud deployment. Run them on ROSA alongside your containerized applications, gaining operational consistency without requiring application rewrites. As your teams build cloud-native skills, you can gradually modernize these workloads by refactoring monoliths into microservices, adopting container-based deployment models, or rebuilding applications using AWS services. 

Throughout this journey, ROSA provides a stable foundation. The platform scales with your needs, supports both traditional and modern architectures, and integrates deeply with AWS infrastructure. Windows License Included removes a common blocker, letting your teams focus on delivering business value rather than managing licensing complexity. 

Conclusion 

The path to cloud-based Windows workloads just became significantly clearer. With licensing complexity removed and AWS infrastructure providing the foundation, your teams can accelerate migration timelines and focus on what matters most—delivering value to your business. 

Get started 

Windows License Included for OpenShift Virtualization on ROSA is available now across AWS regions where ROSA operates. Organizations planning Windows workload migrations can immediately benefit from simplified licensing and unified platform operations. 

Additional Content: 

• Red Hat OpenShift on AWS documentation – provides for implementation guidance and configuration details 

• OpenShift Virtualization on Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS – Explore how OpenShift Virtualization enables VM and container consolidation on a single platform.  

• VMWare to OpenShift Migration: Best Practices and Guidance – migration guidance, insights, and lessons learned