AWS for Microsoft workloads

The proven, reliable, secure cloud for Microsoft workloads

Experience. Performance. Innovation.

Customers have been running Microsoft Workloads on AWS since 2008, longer than any other cloud provider. Customers choose AWS because we have the most experience with Microsoft applications in the cloud and we offer the best platform for Windows Server and SQL Server for higher performance and reliability, greater security and identity services, more migration support, the broadest and deepest capabilities, lower total cost of ownership, and flexible licensing options.

AWS supports everything you need to build and run Windows-based applications including Active Directory, .NET, and all supported versions of Windows Server and SQL Server. With our proven expertise, we can help you easily migrate, optimize, and modernize your Microsoft workloads.

Why AWS for Microsoft workloads?

There is no compression algorithm for experience. We have been investing in making AWS the best place to run Microsoft workloads in the cloud since 2008, longer than any other cloud provider, so that we can provide you with the most operational experience, at greater scale, of any cloud. We’ve done it the longest and support the most demanding workloads. When experience matters, customers choose AWS.

AWS is focused on reducing your licensing needs and complexity by providing flexible licensing options. You can either choose to bring your own licenses (BYOL) to maximize existing investments, or use the pay-as-you-go, license-included (LI) option to eliminate the hassle of managing license compliance.

Software licenses are expensive, and many customers are looking for ways to break free from the restrictive terms and high cost of Microsoft licensing. By replacing your Microsoft-licensed products and applications with open-source alternatives and cloud-based technologies, you can lower costs, harden security, improve price performance, and speed up innovation.

From licensing to infrastructure, AWS is focused on driving down your costs for running Microsoft workloads. For example, customers can save 77% on Windows Server and 45% on SQL Server license costs with AWS Optimization and Licensing Assessment. With AWS Compute Optimizer, customers save up to 25% on infrastructure through rightsizing and up to 74% on licenses through SQL Server edition downgrading recommendations.

AWS offers the most secure, extensive, and reliable Global Cloud Infrastructure for you to run, optimize, and modernize your Microsoft workloads. Built for security from the ground up, AWS is trusted by millions of customers—including the world’s most security-sensitive organizations across government, healthcare, and financial services.

AWS for Microsoft workloads by the numbers

14

Recognized as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Strategic Cloud Platform Services for the 14th consecutive year

since 2008

Trusted to run Microsoft workloads since 2008, longer than anyone else

77%

Cost savings on Windows Server licenses

45%

Cost savings on SQL Server licenses