Amazon WorkSpaces Core FAQs

Q: What’s the difference between WorkSpaces and WorkSpaces Core?

A: Amazon WorkSpaces is an all-inclusive virtual desktop service. Amazon WorkSpaces Core is virtual desktop infrastructure for VDI partner solutions from Citrix, Omnissa, Workspot, and Leostream. WorkSpaces Core enables customers to migrate to AWS infrastructure while seamlessly integrating with their familiar VDI management software. WorkSpaces Core offers both pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances through integration with EC2, allowing customers to precisely control resource delivery while using EC2 Reserved Instances and Savings Plans.

Q: Is purchasing VDI infrastructure (WorkSpaces Core) and VDI software separately going to increase my total spend for VDI?

A: 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 partner 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.

Q: I’ve already built my own VDI infrastructure on Amazon EC2; how does WorkSpaces Core improve on that experience?

A: WorkSpaces Core offers significant advantages over self-built EC2 VDI solutions by integrating with VDI partner management consoles while AWS handles the underlying infrastructure. WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles provide simplified capacity management with standardized configurations for fast deployment, while WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances offers flexibility with customizable configurations and the ability to use EC2 Reserved Instances and Savings Plans. Both options include a financially backed 99.9% uptime SLA and coordinated support between AWS and VDI partners, reducing the operational burden compared to self-built solutions where you must manage all components independently.

Q: How does Tech Support work?

A: AWS works with our Amazon WorkSpaces Core VDI partner solutions to provide coordinated support for both WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances.

Q: How does billing work with WorkSpaces Core?

A: For WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles, you can pay either by the hour or by the month with no upfront fees or term commitments. For WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances, you pay for the EC2 instances according to EC2 pricing models plus a WorkSpaces Core hourly service fee. The fees for using pre-configured bundles include both infrastructure and software applications listed in the bundle. With Core Managed Instances, you can use EC2 Reserved Instances and Savings Plans for additional cost savings. Billing for any VDI partner software you purchase is managed separately.

Q: How much does Amazon WorkSpace Core cost?

A: Amazon WorkSpaces Core offers two pricing models depending on the capabilities you use. For pre-configured bundles, pricing is based on the bundle selected and usage type (Manual hourly or Always On monthly). For WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances, pricing follows the EC2 pricing model in addition to a WorkSpaces Core hourly service fee, allowing you to use EC2 Reserved Instances and Savings Plans for additional cost savings. See our pricing page for the latest information on both pricing models.

Q: Can I bring my own desktop licenses?

A: Yes, you can bring your own Windows 10 desktop and Windows 11 desktop licenses to both WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances if they meet Microsoft's licensing requirements. Both options give you the ability 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.

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

Q: Does WorkSpaces Core support the same Windows Bundles and Application Bundles that are available with WorkSpaces?

A: WorkSpaces Core supports bringing your own software licensing (BYOL) and Bundles powered by Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022 and Server 2025. For the available list of Windows and Application bundles, refer to the pricing page.

Q: Do WorkSpaces Core Windows bundles require me to supply a RDS CAL or SAL?

A: For both WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances running Windows Server, you need to bring your own RDS CAL or SAL licenses for user or device access. These Microsoft Remote Desktop Services licenses are not included with the service.

Q: What software is available as part of the Microsoft Office bundle for BYOL versions of WorkSpaces Core?

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

Q: What options do I have for purchasing Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 on WorkSpaces services?

A: For WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles, you can purchase Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2019 or 2021 as part of an application bundle. For both pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances, you can bring your own Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise license if they meet Microsoft's licensing requirements. This applies to instances running on dedicated or shared infrastructure.

Q: What Microsoft 365 applications can I use on WorkSpaces services?

A: 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. 

Q: What Microsoft 365 license plans can I run on WorkSpaces services?

A: To use Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise on WorkSpaces, you must have subscription to Microsoft 365 E3/E5, Microsoft 365 A3/A5, Microsoft 365 G3/G5, or Microsoft 365 Business Premium.

Q: Are there any additional fees for current or prospective customers to use Microsoft 365 on WorkSpaces Core?

A: 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.

Q: Does this impact me if I previously purchased an AWS bundle of Microsoft Office software with WorkSpaces?

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

Q: How do I migrate WorkSpaces services from Microsoft Office to Microsoft 365?

A. 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. 

Q: I have Office Pro Plus 2019 via the AWS SPLA. How do I stop billing for those apps to move to Microsoft 365?

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

Q: How do I migrate from Windows 10 to Windows 11?

A: For WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles, you will need to create a new image and follow the WorkSpaces Core setup process. For WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances, you can follow EC2 migration processes to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as long as the Windows 10 AMI supports in-place upgrade to Windows 11.

Q: How are the Plus software bundles charged when I pay hourly for my Amazon WorkSpaces Core?

A: 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.

Q: Will WorkSpaces Core allow Microsoft Office Professional 2019 applications to be added to an existing image?

A: 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.

Q: Does WorkSpaces Core support Graphics instances for Windows 11?

A: Yes. WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles support G4DN instances for partner solutions. WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances supports a variety of GPU-enabled EC2 instance types, providing more flexibility for graphics-intensive workloads. Check with your VDI partner for specific supported configurations and refer to the Core Pricing page for available options.

Q: How do I terminate an "always on" WorkSpace and create a new one within the same month without getting charged again?

A: 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.

Q: Does the Amazon WorkSpaces Core service have maintenance windows?

A: Yes, but this varies by service type. For WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles, maintenance windows are enabled by default. 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 Managed Instances does not have predefined maintenance windows, giving you more control over when to apply updates and maintenance.

Q: What is the difference between WorkSpaces Core and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances?

A: 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.

Q: Which VDI partners integrate with WorkSpaces Core and Core Managed Instances?

A: 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.

Q: Can I use EC2 Reserved Instances and Savings Plans with WorkSpaces Core?

A: 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.

Q: Can I run both persistent and non-persistent workloads with WorkSpaces Core?

A: 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.

Q: Can I migrate between WorkSpaces Core pre-configured bundles and WorkSpaces Core Managed Instances?

A: 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.