Sold by: Cloud Infrastructure Services
Deployed on AWS
AWS Free Tier
Windows Server 2022 Core AMI by Cloud Infrastructure Services. Optimized for AWS with a minimal footprint, ready for domain controllers, IIS, and containers.
Overview
Windows Server 2022 Core Minimal Server
AWS-optimized Windows Server 2022 Core AMI published and maintained by Cloud Infrastructure Services. This image is specially configured for AWS deployments and pre-configured for secure, quick deployment - so you can launch infrastructure workloads with confidence from day one.
Why Choose This Image Over Other Server Core AMIs?
Cloud Infrastructure Services certified images are kept current with the latest Windows updates, and validated to work seamlessly with AWS services right out of the box. The image ships on a compact 30GB disk - significantly smaller than a full Desktop Experience installation - reducing storage costs and boot times while minimizing the attack surface.
Key Capabilities
- Minimal Footprint Deployment: The headless Server Core installation removes the graphical desktop, reducing disk usage, patch frequency, and reboot cycles for faster, leaner operation.
- Reduced Attack Surface: A smaller code base means fewer running services and components, lowering exposure to vulnerabilities and hardening the server by design.
- Enhanced Security with Secured Core: System Guard and Virtualization-based Security protect against firmware vulnerabilities and advanced malware.
- SMB AES-256 Encryption: Increased file server security with strong encryption, plus on-the-fly SMB compression for faster, safer transfers.
- Storage Migration Service: Seamlessly migrate file servers, including from NetApp FAS, to Windows Server on AWS.
- Container and Microservices Ready: Improved Windows container runtime with cross-version compatibility and tooling for .NET, ASP.NET, and IIS applications.
- Remote Management: Administer the server entirely through PowerShell, the command line, RSAT, or Windows Admin Center - ideal for managing large fleets.
- AWS Systems Manager Integration: Simplify configuration and automate operations with AWS-native tooling pre-configured on the image.
- Scalable Cloud Resources: Scale compute up or down on demand to match the requirements of your applications and workloads.
- High Availability and Resilience: Use the AWS global infrastructure for redundancy, high availability, and disaster recovery.
- Comprehensive Monitoring and Logging: Use AWS CloudWatch and CloudTrail for real-time monitoring, logging, and auditing of your instances.
- Seamless Hybrid Integration: Connect on-premises environments to AWS for smooth hybrid cloud deployments.
Use Cases
- Infrastructure Roles: Deploy domain controllers, DNS, DHCP, and certificate authorities on a hardened, minimal platform.
- Secure Web and Application Hosting: Host IIS and enterprise applications with low operating system overhead and high availability.
- Containerized Workloads: Run Windows containers and microservices in a lightweight, efficient environment.
- File and Storage Services: Provide secure file servers using SMB encryption and Storage Migration Service.
- Hybrid Cloud Deployments: Extend on-premises Windows Server infrastructure to AWS through a streamlined Server Core footprint.
Requirements and Limitations
- No Desktop Experience: Server Core does not include a graphical user interface. All management is performed remotely via PowerShell, command line, RSAT, or Windows Admin Center.
- Disk: Ships with a 30GB root volume. Expand as needed for your workload.
- Licensing: The Windows Server Datacenter license is included in the AMI usage cost - no separate license purchase or BYOL required.
- AWS Systems Manager: For full automation capabilities, ensure the instance IAM role includes the AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore policy.
- Connectivity: Since there is no local GUI, configure your security group to allow WinRM (TCP 5985/5986) or RDP (TCP 3389) from your management network before launch.
Getting Started
- Launch the AMI from AWS Marketplace in your preferred region.
- Select an instance type appropriate for your workload (e.g., t3.medium for light infrastructure roles, m5.large for IIS or container workloads).
- Attach an IAM instance profile with AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore for Systems Manager access.
- Configure your security group to permit inbound WinRM or RDP from your management subnet.
- Connect via PowerShell remoting, AWS Systems Manager Session Manager, or Windows Admin Center.
- The server is operational and ready for role installation immediately after boot.
Disclaimer: This image is maintained by Cloud Infrastructure Services. The respective trademarks mentioned in the offering are owned by Microsoft.
Highlights
- AWS-optimized: This image is specially configured for AWS deployments beyond Microsoft defaults and pre-configured for immediate deployment. Cloud Infrastructure Services certified images are kept current with the latest security patches and validated to work with AWS Systems Manager, CloudWatch, and CloudTrail out of the box - eliminating manual post-launch configuration and reducing time to a production-ready state.
- Secured Core protection with minimal attack surface: The Server Core installation removes the graphical desktop and unnecessary services, shipping on a compact 30GB disk. Combined with Secured Core technologies including System Guard and Virtualization-based Security, plus SMB AES-256 encryption, this image provides defense-in-depth against firmware vulnerabilities and advanced malware while reducing patch frequency and reboot cycles.
- Versatile workload support with remote fleet management: Purpose-built for infrastructure roles (domain controllers, DNS, DHCP, certificate authorities), IIS web hosting, and containerized workloads with improved Windows container runtime. Manage hundreds of instances remotely through PowerShell, Windows Admin Center, RSAT, or AWS Systems Manager without requiring a local GUI on each server.
Details
Delivery method
Delivery option
64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Latest version
Operating system
Win2019 Windows Server 2022
Deployed on AWS
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Features and programs
Financing for AWS Marketplace purchases
AWS Marketplace now accepts line of credit payments through the PNC Vendor Finance program. This program is available to select AWS customers in the US, excluding NV, NC, ND, TN, & VT.
Pricing
Pricing is based on actual usage, with charges varying according to how much you consume. Subscriptions have no end date and may be canceled any time.
Additional AWS infrastructure costs may apply. Use the AWS Pricing Calculator to estimate your infrastructure costs.
If you are an AWS Free Tier customer with a free plan, you are eligible to subscribe to this offer. You can use free credits to cover the cost of eligible AWS infrastructure. See AWS Free Tier for more details. If you created an AWS account before July 15th, 2025, and qualify for the Legacy AWS Free Tier, Amazon EC2 charges for Micro instances are free for up to 750 hours per month. See Legacy AWS Free Tier for more details.
Dimension | Cost/hour |
|---|---|
t2.medium Recommended | $0.02 |
t2.micro | $0.02 |
t3.micro | $0.02 |
g5.16xlarge | $0.02 |
r3.2xlarge | $0.02 |
m5ad.24xlarge | $0.02 |
x2iezn.12xlarge | $0.02 |
i2.xlarge | $0.02 |
r5n.24xlarge | $0.02 |
r5d.2xlarge | $0.02 |
Dimensions summary
You pay by the hour for this Windows Server 2022 Core Minimal Server image. Pricing is not a set of tiers or feature levels. Instead, each dimension maps to a specific AWS EC2 instance type, billed per hour of use. Your rate depends on the instance size and family you pick, from small general-purpose instances to large memory, compute, storage, and GPU instances. Bigger or more specialized instances cost more per hour. You run the same software on every option, so choose the instance that fits your workload and budget.
Top-of-mind questions for buyers
Each dimension maps to one specific AWS EC2 instance type running the image. You are billed for each hour that instance runs. One unit means one running instance-hour of the size and family you select, such as a general-purpose, memory, compute, storage, or GPU instance.
The software charge meters running time by the hour. When an instance is fully stopped, hourly software charges stop accruing. Underlying AWS storage fees for the attached disk may still apply while the instance is stopped. Software billing resumes when you start the instance again.
No. You run the same Windows Server 2022 Core Minimal image on every instance option. There is no minimal versus full edition split across dimensions. Your hourly rate changes only with the instance size and family you pick, not the software features included.
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Vendor refund policy
We do not currently support refunds, but you can cancel at any time.
Legal
Vendor terms and conditions
Upon subscribing to this product, you must acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the vendor's End User License Agreement (EULA) .
Content disclaimer
Vendors are responsible for their product descriptions and other product content. AWS does not warrant that vendors' product descriptions or other product content are accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free.
Delivery details
64-bit (x86) Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
An AMI is a virtual image that provides the information required to launch an instance. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) instances are virtual servers on which you can run your applications and workloads, offering varying combinations of CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources. You can launch as many instances from as many different AMIs as you need.
Version release notes
Latest OS patches installed. Simply run Windows update to install the latest OS updates.
Additional details
Usage instructions
Once deployed server is ready to use. For instructions on connecting refer to our getting started guide on: https://cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk/how-to-setup-windows-server-core-minimal-installation-on-azure-aws-gcp/
Resources
Vendor resources
Support
Vendor support
Support from Cloud Infrastructure Services
Cloud Infrastructure Services provides technical support for this Windows Server 2022 Core AMI covering image-level issues, deployment guidance, and configuration assistance.
Support Channels:
- Email: support@cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk
- Support Ticket: Submit a request via https://cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk/contact-us/
Scope of Support:
Support covers issues related to the AMI image itself, including launch failures, pre-installed configuration questions, AWS service integration (Systems Manager, CloudWatch), and general deployment guidance. For Windows Server operating system bugs or feature requests, please refer to Microsoft's standard support channels.
Getting Help:
When submitting a support request, please include your AWS region, instance ID, and a description of the issue. This helps our team diagnose and resolve your concern efficiently.
For refund requests, please contact us via email or the support ticket form above.
AWS infrastructure support
AWS Support is a one-on-one, fast-response support channel that is staffed 24x7x365 with experienced and technical support engineers. The service helps customers of all sizes and technical abilities to successfully utilize the products and features provided by Amazon Web Services.
Updated weekly
By Cloud Infrastructure Services
By Canonical Group Limited
By Gigabits
AI generated from product descriptions
Minimal Operating System Footprint
Server Core installation without graphical desktop interface, shipped on 30GB disk, reducing storage costs, patch frequency, and boot times
Advanced Security Architecture
System Guard and Virtualization-based Security protection against firmware vulnerabilities and advanced malware, combined with SMB AES-256 encryption for file server security
Container and Microservices Runtime
Improved Windows container runtime with cross-version compatibility and tooling support for .NET, ASP.NET, and IIS applications
Remote Management and Administration
PowerShell remoting, Windows Admin Center, RSAT, and AWS Systems Manager integration for headless server administration without local GUI
AWS Native Integration
Pre-configured integration with AWS Systems Manager, CloudWatch for monitoring, and CloudTrail for auditing with AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore policy support
Extended Security Maintenance Coverage
Security updates for 30,000+ open source packages including Apache Kafka, NGINX, MongoDB, Redis and PostgreSQL with 10-year maintenance window until April 2032
Kernel Live Patching
Kernel patches delivered and applied without requiring node reboot
FIPS 140-2 Certification
FIPS 140-2 certified modules with FedRAMP compliance and FIPS mode availability
Security Hardening and Compliance Tools
CIS security hardening and audit tools to establish security baseline across systems
Optimized Kernel Performance
Custom Ubuntu-aws optimized kernel with improved boot speed, runtime performance and advanced device support
Long-Term Support Coverage
Security updates and maintenance guaranteed until May 2031 for production environment stability
Automatic Storage Expansion
Root partition and filesystem automatically expands at boot for volumes larger than 8 GiB without manual intervention
Enhanced Network Performance
Preconfigured with Cloud-init and ENA (Elastic Network Adapter) support for optimized cloud network performance
SSH Public Key Authentication
SSH-based access configured with public key authentication using 'ubuntu' user for secure remote login
Comprehensive Package Repository
Access to thousands of applications and libraries from Ubuntu package repository for simplified software deployment
Standard contract
No
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