How do I use my Windows 10 desktop license with WorkSpaces?

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I want to use my Windows desktop license with Amazon WorkSpaces. How can I do that?

Short description

Amazon WorkSpaces provides two options for Windows-based operating systems: Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019. Both are based on Windows 10 desktop experience.

If you have Windows desktop licenses for Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise and your licensing agreement allows it, you can bring your own license (BYOL) to WorkSpaces. For more information, see Bring Your Own Windows desktop licenses.

Resolution

To bring your Windows 10 license to a WorkSpace, you must meet BYOL prerequisites. BYOL for WorkSpaces supports the following Windows 10 versions:

  • Windows 10 Version 2004 (May 2020 Update)
  • Windows 10 Version 20H2 (October 2020 Update)
  • Windows 10 Version 21H1 (May 2021 Update)
  • Windows 10 Version 21H2 (December 2021 Update)

You must meet additional requirements to use BYOL. For example, you must commit to running 100 WorkSpaces in an AWS Region each month on dedicated hardware. For more information, see Requirements.

The requirements are different for BYOL for Graphics WorkSpaces. Contact AWS Support for more information about BYOL for Graphics WorkSpaces.

Setting up BYOL in WorkSpaces

Next, you must check your account’s eligibility for BYOL and have your eligibility verified. When verified, you can activate BYOL.

1.    Open the WorkSpaces console.

2.    In the navigation pane, choose Account Settings.

3.    Under Bring your own license (BYOL), choose View WorkSpaces BYOL settings. If your account isn’t eligible for BYOL, a message provides guidance for next steps.

4.    If you must start setting up BYOL, contact your AWS account manager or sales representative, or create a case in the AWS Support Center.

5.    For your contact to verify your eligibility for BYOL, they must get specific information from you. Share your answers to the following questions:

  • Have you reviewed and accepted the BYOL requirements listed earlier? [Yes/No]
  • Account name:
  • AWS account ID:
  • AWS Support level for the account: [Basic (no paid support), Developer, Business, Enterprise]
  • Capacity request/Bundle type/Region: [Include the number of WorkSpaces in each bundle for each Region. Specify how the total number is split across Value, Performance, Power, or Graphics WorkSpaces.]
  • Technical contact information: Name, email, and phone number (Note: The technical contact must have AWS admin privileges in the AWS account that the virtual machine imports to.)
  • Are you buying WorkSpaces from a reseller? [Yes/No]
  • What is your ramp-up plan? For example, how many BYOL WorkSpaces do you plan to create? What is the ramp-up timeline?
  • In what Regions do you need your account set up for BYOL?
  • How many BYOL WorkSpaces do you plan to deploy in each Region (a minimum of 100 in each Region)?
  • Does your organization have any other AWS accounts set up for BYOL in the same Region? If yes, do you want to link these accounts so that they use the same underlying hardware?

Note: If you have linked accounts, the total number of WorkSpaces deployed in these accounts is aggregated to determine your eligibility for BYOL. Be aware that linking the accounts takes additional time. If you want to link the accounts, be ready to provide the account numbers to your contact.

6.    When your eligibility for BYOL is confirmed, activate BYOL for your account.


AWS OFFICIAL
AWS OFFICIALUpdated a year ago