CLF-C02 Cloud Technology and Services Practice Question
A company wants to provide employees with secure, managed virtual Windows or Linux desktops accessible from any device, without purchasing physical computers or managing on-premises VDI infrastructure. Which AWS service provides cloud-based virtual desktops?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse Amazon WorkSpaces (full virtual desktop) with Amazon AppStream 2.0 (application streaming), as both provide remote access but serve fundamentally different use cases — one delivers an entire OS desktop, the other delivers individual applications.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon WorkSpaces
Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed, cloud-based virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) service that provides secure, persistent Windows or Linux desktops accessible from any supported device. It eliminates the need to purchase physical hardware or manage on-premises VDI, aligning directly with the scenario described.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Amazon AppStream 2.0
Why it's wrong here
Amazon AppStream 2.0 is an application-streaming service that delivers specific applications to users through a browser, not a full virtual desktop environment. It lacks the persistent OS-level experience, Start menu, and full desktop control that WorkSpaces provides. Use AppStream when you only need to publish apps, not when employees require a complete, persistent desktop.
- ✓
Amazon WorkSpaces
Why this is correct
Amazon WorkSpaces is a fully managed DaaS offering that provisions persistent Windows or Linux desktops in the AWS cloud. AWS manages the underlying infrastructure, including security patches and availability, while users access their personalized desktop from almost any device using the WorkSpaces client. Enterprises can integrate with Active Directory and use existing Microsoft 365 licenses, making it the correct purpose-built choice for virtual desktops.
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Amazon EC2 with Remote Desktop
Why it's wrong here
Launching an EC2 Windows instance and connecting via Remote Desktop is a do-it-yourself approach that places the operational burden on you. You must handle OS patching, Windows licensing, RDP hardening, security group rules, and capacity management yourself. This arrangement lacks the centralized directory integration, automatic backups, and managed patching found in WorkSpaces, so it is not a fully managed virtual desktop service.
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AWS Connect
Why it's wrong here
AWS Connect is a cloud-based contact center service designed for customer service operations, handling voice, chat, and task interactions. It provides IVR, contact flows, and CRM integration, but it has no capability to deliver virtual desktops or host operating systems. As a result, it is entirely distinct from the desktop virtualization use case and cannot satisfy a requirement for employee virtual desktops.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CLF-C02 exam.