How to access the C: Drive in Amazon Workspaces

The C: Drive or root volume in AWS Workspaces cannot be seen if you open File Explorer.

This post will show how you can access the C: Drive when it is not shown.

If you want the C: Drive to be shown permanently then reading my post about it here will help.

Below are three ways you can access the C: Drive.


Access C: Drive with Windows File Explorer

To access C: Drive with Windows File Explorer, go to the address bar and enter C:. This will bring you to the C: Drive.

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How to show C: Drive in Amazon Workspaces

If you have been using AWS Workspaces then you might have noticed that the C: Drive cannot be seen when you open Windows File Explorer.

File Explorer not showing C: Drive in an Amazon Workspace

The reason why the C: Drive is hidden in Workspaces is because it is the root volume. Users are discouraged from storing files in the root volume because when you need to Rebuild a workspace any changes that you made in the C: Drive will be wiped out. Only the D: Drive or the User Volume will be restored to what its previous snapshot.

There are some use cases when you need to access the C: Drive. It might also be possible that you just want to have the C: Drive visible.

Follow the steps below to make the C: Drive visible in Windows File Explorer in your Amazon Workspaces.



Steps in showing the C: Drive in Amazon Workspaces

Click on Search icon and type regedit. Then click on regedit.

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How to Install Group Policy Management Tool in Amazon Workspaces Windows 10

Group Policy Management Console is one of the tools needed to do Active Directory Administration, especially if you want to control what Amazon Workspaces can do.

This is the same program that is launched when you run the command gpmc.msc on Windows Run.

To install Group Policy Management in Amazon Workspaces Windows 10, follow the tutorial below.


Steps to Install Group Policy Management

Open Start Menu, then click Server Manager.

Click Add roles and features. The Add Roles and Features Wizard will be opened.

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How to install Active Directory Administration Tools in Windows Server

If you need Active Directory Users and Computers on your Windows Server, you need to install Active Directory Administration Tools.

The walk through below will also install other AD Administration Tools like DNS configuration and optional if you want to install Group Policy Management.

Tutorial below have been tested in Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 and Amazon Workspaces Windows 10.

I learned the steps below when I was configuring Amazon Workspaces Windows 10 to do Active Directory Administration. I was avoiding to RDP to the AD Domain Controller to lessen the impact when I make adjustments that is why I needed the Active Directory Management Tools inside my Amazon Workspace.

Note: It is best if your Windows Server is already joined to an Active Directory Domain.


Step-by-step Instruction to Install Active Directory Administration Tools

Click on Start Menu and click Server Manager.

On Server Manager click Add roles and features.

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