What is Amazon WorkSpaces?
Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) that provides Windows or Linux desktops in the cloud. Within the WorkSpaces family, a distinction is made between WorkSpaces Personal (persistent, individually assigned desktops) and WorkSpaces Pools (non-persistent, shared desktops). Users access their desktop from any device, while IT teams manage the environment centrally without their own VDI infrastructure.
Core Features
- Persistent Desktops (WorkSpaces Personal): User data and settings are preserved
- Non-Persistent Pools: Shared, short-lived desktops for standardized workstations
- Flexible Bundles: From entry-level configurations to GPU workstations
- Multi-Protocol: PCoIP and DCV (successor to the WorkSpaces Streaming Protocol/WSP)
- Directory Integration: Connects to AWS Managed Microsoft AD, on-premises Active Directory, or Microsoft Entra ID
Typical Use Cases
Remote Work: Companies provide full-featured desktops to employees working from home. All data remains in the cloud, and private devices never gain direct access to corporate data.
External Staff: Freelancers and contractors receive temporary desktops (persistent or pool-based). After project completion, the desktop is deleted without data residue on private devices.
Development Environments: Developers work on high-performance cloud desktops using Linux or Windows bundles. Builds and compilations run on AWS hardware while developers work from lightweight endpoint devices.
Benefits
- No VDI infrastructure to manage and patch
- Flexible billing: monthly for full-time use, hourly for occasional use
- Fast provisioning of new desktops and pools
- Security through centralized, encrypted data storage in AWS
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS reseller, innFactory supports you with Amazon WorkSpaces: architecture design (Personal vs. Pools), directory integration including Microsoft Entra ID, bundle optimization, protocol migration from PCoIP to DCV, and rollout planning.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between WorkSpaces Personal and WorkSpaces Pools?
WorkSpaces Personal provides persistent desktops assigned to a single user, similar to a physical desktop computer. WorkSpaces Pools, on the other hand, provides non-persistent, shared desktops on ephemeral infrastructure for standardized use cases.
Which operating systems does WorkSpaces support?
WorkSpaces supports Microsoft Windows (including Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server), Amazon Linux 2, Ubuntu, Rocky Linux, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Available bundles range from entry-level configurations to GPU workstations.
Which streaming protocols are used?
WorkSpaces supports PCoIP and DCV (the successor to the earlier WorkSpaces Streaming Protocol/WSP). AWS is currently driving migration from PCoIP to DCV and provides guided migration tools in the console.
How does Windows licensing work?
WorkSpaces offers Windows with included licensing. Alternatively, you can bring your own Windows licenses, and integration with Microsoft Entra ID enables seamless access to Microsoft 365.
How is data secured?
WorkSpaces encrypts data at rest via AWS KMS, and connections are encrypted via PCoIP or DCV. Data remains within the selected AWS region.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of AWS (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by AWS.