Amazon WorkSpaces Core FAQs

Amazon WorkSpaces is an all -inclusive virtual desktop service. Amazon WorkSpaces Core is a set of VDI APIs for third-party software. WorkSpaces Core enables customers and partners to build customized VDI solutions using purpose built compute instances optimized for virtual desktops.

Amazon WorkSpaces Core does not include the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) software and management layer, so we’ve lowered the cost by 20% compared with the all-inclusive Amazon WorkSpaces. You can apply the cost savings towards the purchase of third-party VDI software licensing. Additionally, WorkSpaces Cores supports granular billing, down to the hour, with no upfront costs. This reduces the total cost of ownership, saving you more money over time.

WorkSpaces Core integrates directly with third-party VDI management consoles. There is no AWS architecture learning curve for IT administrators. They can deploy desktops on AWS directly from their existing VDI management solution in fewer steps compared to Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2). WorkSpaces Core offers granular hourly metering with no upfront costs, which is differentiated from build-your-own VDI infrastructure on Amazon EC2.

AWS will work with our Amazon WorkSpaces Core VDI solution partners to provide coordinated support.

You can pay for Amazon WorkSpaces Core either by the hour, or by the month. You only pay for the instances you launch, and there are no upfront fees and no term commitments. The fees for using Amazon WorkSpaces Core include use of both the infrastructure (compute, storage, and bandwidth for streaming the desktop experience to the user) and the software applications listed in the bundle. Billing for any third-party VDI software you purchase is handled by the third-party VDI provider.

Yes, you can pay for your Amazon WorkSpaces Core by the hour. Hourly metering is available for all WorkSpaces Core bundles, and in all AWS Regions where Amazon WorkSpaces Core is offered. Partner integration of hourly metering features, via API, is required.

Please see our pricing page for the latest information.

Yes, you can bring your own Windows 10 desktop and Windows 11 desktop licenses to WorkSpaces Core if they meet Microsoft’s licensing requirements. WorkSpaces Core gives you the option to run Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktop images on physically dedicated hardware, which lets you maintain license compliance for your Windows desktops when you bring your own licenses to WorkSpaces Core.

You can see more information on the Bring your own License (BYOL) process in our documentation.

WorkSpaces Core supports bringing your own software licensing (BYOL) and Bundles powered by Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022. For the available list of Windows and Application bundles, refer to the pricing page. 

Windows Server bundle options do not include a Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Subscriber Access License (SAL) per WorkSpace. Customers need to bring their or RDS CAL or SAL licenses for user or device access to WorkSpaces Core bundles Windows Server.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 BYOL WorkSpaces support Microsoft Office Professional 2019 and 2021.

You can purchase Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2019 or 2021 as part of a WorkSpaces application bundle, or, beginning August 1, 2023, you can bring your own Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise license on WorkSpaces services if they meet Microsoft’s licensing requirements. This applies to WorkSpaces instances running on dedicated or shared infrastructure.

You can bring your Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise licenses to run on WorkSpaces services. Microsoft 365 includes popular productivity applications like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook, and more. Included applications vary by license plan. You can also bring licenses to run additional applications including Microsoft Project and Microsoft Visio. 

Permitted license plans include Microsoft 365 E3 or E5, Microsoft 365 A3 or A5, or Microsoft 365 Business Premium. These plans are available on shared Windows Server instances and BYOL Windows Desktop operating systems running on dedicated instances.

There are no additional fees or costs to run Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise on WorkSpaces services. WorkSpaces Core is billed at publicly listed pricing.

No. If you purchased a Microsoft Office bundle for WorkSpaces services through AWS, you can continue to use that service.

If you are running WorkSpaces services and are not subscribed to a Microsoft Office license through AWS, you can install and configure Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise. If you are running WorkSpaces services and are subscribed to a Microsoft Office license through AWS, you first need to unsubscribe from the Microsoft Office license provided by AWS before installing Microsoft 365 Apps. For more information on migrating from Microsoft Office to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, see this guide. 

You must migrate to unsubscribe. See Q/A above.

You will need to create a new image and follow the WorkSpaces Core setup process. WorkSpaces Core does not currently support the Amazon WorkSpaces Migrate API.

Plus bundles are always charged monthly, even if you’re paying for your Amazon WorkSpaces Core by the hour. If you selected a Plus bundle when you launched WorkSpaces, you will incur the listed fee for the Plus software bundle even if you do not use those Amazon WorkSpaces in a particular month.

For Microsoft Office 2019 you can subscribe during BYOL image import. Office is automatically installed in the image during image creation. You can use this image spin up WorkSpaces and all those WorkSpace will be subscribed to Microsoft Office 2016 or 2019 based on your selection.
For Microsoft Office / Visio / Project 2021, BYOL import option is not applicable. You do not need to subscribe to Microsoft Office during BYOL import. You can directly install these applications on your WorkSpaces. For more information, refer to Manage Applications.

Yes. Although, regular WorkSpaces do not support Graphics instances for Windows 11; WorkSpaces Core supports G4DN instances for partner solutions. Please check with your Core partner for more details. Please refer to Core Pricing page for available bundles.

Always On WorkSpaces are charged for each unique WorkSpace. As long as you create the new WorkSpace with (1) same UserName or same WorkspaceName (2) same directory (3) same bundle; the WorkSpace is considered unique and you will not be charged again.

Yes. Amazon WorkSpaces Core enables maintenance windows by default. For WorkSpaces Core instances, the default maintenance window is typically from 00h00 to 05h00 everyday starting on the 3rd Monday of the month in the time zone of the WorkSpaces Core AWS Region. The maintenance window might take up to two weeks. WorkSpaces Core can be maintained on any day in the maintenance window. The maintenance window for MANUAL WorkSpaces instances is currently not configurable.

WorkSpaces Core provides virtual desktop infrastructure for VDI partner solutions, offering pre-configured bundles with predefined vCPU, memory, GPU, storage, and operating system options. WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances integrates with EC2, allowing for highly customizable instance configurations. WorkSpaces Core and Core Managed Instances deliver unique benefits and are optimized for different use cases.

Citrix, Omnissa, and Leostream integrate with WorkSpaces Core. Citrix and Workspot integrate with WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances. Check with your specific VDI partner for their roadmap and support timeline for either Core or Core Managed Instances.

Yes, with WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances, you can use your existing EC2 Reserved Instances and Savings Plans to reduce costs. This allows you to optimize your desktop infrastructure spending by applying the same cost-saving strategies you use for your other AWS workloads.

Yes, WorkSpaces Core supports both persistent and non-persistent workloads. The availability of these options vary by VDI partner. Persistent workloads maintain user data and customizations between sessions, making them ideal for knowledge workers and power users. Non-persistent workloads reset to a clean state after each session, which is beneficial for task workers, frontline workers, and shared workstation scenarios.

Migration between WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances requires creating new instances and migrating user data. There is no direct in-place migration path between the two models. Work with your VDI partner to determine the best migration approach for your specific environment.