A change in Microsoft’s licensing noticed by Directions on Microsoft (DoM) will now see AWS customers finally able to use Microsoft’s office software on their virtual desktop at no extra cost.
The change represents a clear throwback to a licensing term introduced in 2019 that saw Microsoft discourage users from using its software on other non-Microsoft clouds through increased costs.
The most recent revision, which went into effect on August 1, reverses that for Amazon WorkSpaces customers.
Microsoft is backtracking on its non-MS cloud stance
Previously, AWS, Google and Alibaba customers had to pay “significantly more” to use Microsoft software than on Azure, DoM says.
“As of August 1, 2023, users with specific licenses will be able to use Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise/business, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Visio on Amazon WorkSpaces,” the company said in an amendment to the product terms.
“Eligible licenses under this revised policy include Microsoft 365 E3/E5/A3/A5 and Microsoft 365 Business Premium. If you currently have one of these licenses, beginning August 1, you will be able to use these Microsoft applications on the virtual desktop infrastructure from Amazon WorkSpaces.”
While this may initially seem like good news for AWS customers, there are clear downsides, as DoM analyst Wes Miller highlighted, who said running Microsoft software on Azure still remains cheaper:
“You need a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 subscription for each user who can access Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (Office) on WorkSpaces… Not for Microsoft 365 with a separate license. No Office 365 E3. You need Microsoft 365 E3+, even if you don’t need EMS (Enterprise Mobility and Security). And you still need VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) for your WorkSpaces users.”
It’s unclear why Microsoft made these licensing changes, and the company didn’t immediately respond to our request for further comment. More broadly, however, Redmond is under fire in the EU over several antitrust cases related to cloud dominance and the unfair packaging of Teams in its Microsoft 365 bundle.
The company has also come under scrutiny in the US after a Chinese hacker allegedly gained access to Microsoft-hosted emails from government officials.