Amazon WorkSpaces now supports Nested Virtualization

Amazon Web Services announced that nested virtualization is now available for Amazon WorkSpaces Personal and Amazon WorkSpaces Core Managed Bundles. This feature enables users to run Docker Desktop, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2), and other hypervisor-dependent tools directly on Windows WorkSpaces. On Linux WorkSpaces, it supports KVM-based workloads, Android emulators, and nested containers. The feature eliminates the need for separate physical hardware or workaround environments, streamlining development workflows.

Nested virtualization is supported on license-included (public and custom) bundles, Bring Your Own License (BYOL) bundles, and Bring Your Own Protocol (BYOP) bundles running specific operating systems. These include Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2025, Windows 11, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, Rocky Linux 8, or Rocky Linux 9 with the DCV protocol. A Power (4 vCPU) or higher configuration is recommended for optimal performance.

Administrators can enable or disable nested virtualization at the individual workspace level through the AWS Management Console, API, or CLI. The feature is not supported on GPU bundles, the PCoIP protocol, or WorkSpaces based on Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10. Nested virtualization is available in all AWS Regions where Amazon WorkSpaces is offered, excluding China (Ningxia) Region and Israel (Tel Aviv) Region.

Users can enable nested virtualization on their WorkSpaces through the AWS Management Console or CLI. For detailed instructions and additional information, users are directed to the Amazon WorkSpaces documentation on Nested Virtualization. Pricing details are available on the Amazon WorkSpaces pricing page.