Amazon WorkSpaces

Additional features

Fully Managed Virtual Desktops

AWS handles the entire underlying infrastructure, including server management, patching, and scaling, significantly reducing the IT burden on organizations.

Flexible Desktop Options

Offers both WorkSpaces Personal (highly configurable, persistent desktops for individual users) and WorkSpaces Pools (shared, cost-effective desktops for groups), providing flexibility for diverse use cases and all managed from a unified console.

Broad OS Support

Users can choose between Windows (Windows 11, Windows 10) and various Linux distributions (Amazon Linux 2, Ubuntu Desktop, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Rocky Linux) for their virtual desktops.

Secure Access to Apps & Data

Ensures reliable and secure access to applications and data stored in the AWS cloud, with features like encryption in transit and at rest, network isolation, and integration with AWS Key Management Service (KMS).

Cost Optimization & Scalability

Operates on a pay-as-you-go model with flexible monthly or hourly billing, allowing organizations to scale up or down on demand to avoid large upfront investments and overprovisioning.

Device & OS Flexibility for Users

End-users can access their virtual desktops from a wide array of devices including PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, iPads, Fire tablets, Android tablets, thin clients, and web browsers.

Bring Your Own License (BYOL)

Provides the flexibility to bring existing Windows 10/11 desktop licenses and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise licenses, potentially leveraging existing investments to reduce costs.

Simplified Management Console

A single, intuitive AWS Management Console provides a unified administrative experience for efficient provisioning, managing, and monitoring of WorkSpaces.

Persistent Storage with Automatic Backups

Each WorkSpace includes persistent SSD storage volumes for user data and settings, with automatic backups ensuring data safety.

Custom Images & Bundles

IT administrators can create and manage custom images and bundles with predefined security settings, configurations, and applications to standardize deployments.

High-Performance Streaming Protocols

Utilizes protocols like Amazon WorkSpaces Streaming Protocol (WSP) and PC-over-IP (PCoIP) to deliver a high-quality, responsive user experience with optimized audio and video.

GPU-enabled Bundles

Offers Graphics G4dn bundles with GPU acceleration and local NVMe-based SSD storage for temporary content, ideal for graphics-intensive workloads and specialized users.

Active Directory Integration

Seamlessly integrates with on-premises Microsoft Active Directory or AWS Directory Service for user management, Group Policies, and software deployment.

Identity and Endpoint Management Integration

Supports SAML 2.0 identity providers for Single Sign-On (SSO) and can provision WorkSpaces joined with Entra ID and enrolled in Intune without requiring Microsoft AD.

Monitoring & Logging

Provides tools to monitor the health and usage of WorkSpaces (CPU, memory, disk space) with integration to Amazon CloudWatch and EventBridge for comprehensive oversight.

Automated Updates & Patching

AWS handles regular OS patches, updates, and security in the background, ensuring the environment remains secure and current without manual intervention from IT.

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery

Designed to support business continuity with features like automatic backups and leveraging AWS's robust global infrastructure for resilience.

VPC Endpoints

Allows for creating and streaming from Interface VPC Endpoints and making API requests through them for secure private network connections.

AWS CLI/APIs

Provides the flexibility to manage WorkSpaces programmatically using AWS Command Line Interface and APIs.