# Understanding Amazon DCV clients Amazon DCV offers a Windows client, Linux client, web browser client, and macOS client. The clients offer similar feature sets, but there are some differences. Choose the Amazon DCV client that meets your specific requirements. Amazon DCV offers a variety of clients you can use. Each client offers a similar feature set, but there are some differences. When choosing a Amazon DCV client that best fits your needs, consider factors such as the operating system of your local device, the specific features and functionality required, and the level of integration needed. The clients offer a similar set of features, but there may be slight variations in capabilities or user interface. For more information, see [Requirements](requirements.md). Amazon DCV clients include: + [Windows client](client-windows.md)– Provides seamless integration with Windows, supporting features like desktop sharing, audio/video playback, USB device redirection, and clipboard integration. + [Web browser client](client-web.md)– This option is useful for those who need to access remote resources from various devices or locations without the need to install a dedicated client application. + [Linux client](client-linux.md)– Allows Linux users to access their remote resources with the same level of performance and functionality as the Windows client. + [MacOS client](client-mac.md)– Provides a dedicated client that seamlessly integrates with the macOS environment. This client offers the same feature set. # Windows client The Amazon DCV Windows client is supported on Windows computers only. The Windows client is a standalone application that runs on the Windows operating system. For instructions on how to connect to a Amazon DCV session using the Windows client, see [Connecting to a Amazon DCV session using the Windows client](using-connecting-win.md). The Windows client is available in two versions: an installable version and a portable version. Both versions have the same minimum system requirements and have the same features. **Contents** + [Installable Windows client](#client-windows-install) + [Portable Windows client](#client-windows-portable) ## Installable Windows client You can use an installation wizard to install the client. The wizard takes you through a series of steps where you can customize your client installation. Or, you can use the command line to perform an unattended installation. This second method uses default settings to automate the installation procedure. Before using the wizard or the command line to install the client, make sure that your computer has the required software. For a complete list of required software, see [Requirements](requirements.md). **To install the Windows client using the installation wizard** 1. Download the [Windows client installer](https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/2025.0/Clients/nice-dcv-client-Release-2025.0-9800.msi). **Tip** The [latest packages](http://download.amazondcv.com/latest.html) page of the download website contains links that always point to the newest available version. You can use these links to automatically retrieve the newest Amazon DCV packages. 1. Run the installer. 1. On the **Welcome** screen, choose **Next**. 1. On the **End-User License Agreement** screen, read the license agreement. If you accept the terms, select the **I accept the terms in the License Agreement** check box. Choose **Next**. 1. On the **Destination Folder** screen, choose **Next** to keep the default installation folder. To install the client in a different folder, change the destination path, and then choose **Next**. 1. (Optional) On the **Drivers Selection** screen, select **USB device remotization**. Then, choose **Will be installed on local hard drive**, **Next**. This installs the drivers required to support some specialized USB devices. These devices include 3D pointing devices and graphic tablets. **Note** Using specialized USB devices requires additional client and server configuration. For instructions, see [Using USB remotization](using-usb.md). 1. On the **Ready to install** screen, choose **Install**. **To install the Windows client using an unattended installation** 1. Download the [Windows client installer](https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/2025.0/Clients/nice-dcv-client-Release-2025.0-9800.msi). 1. Open a command prompt window and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the installer. 1. Run the unattended installer. ``` C:\> msiexec.exe /i nice-dcv-client-Release-2025.0-9800.msi /quiet /norestart /l*v dcv_client_install_msi.log ``` To install all of the optional components, including the USB driver, include the `ADDLOCAL=ALL` option in the command. ``` C:\> msiexec.exe /i nice-dcv-client-Release-2025.0-9800.msi ADDLOCAL=ALL /quiet /norestart /l*v dcv_client_install_msi.log ``` ## Portable Windows client The Windows client is also available in a portable version. You don't need to install the portable version on your computer. You can copy it to a USB drive and run it directly from the USB drive on any Windows computer that meets the minimum requirements. **To use the portable Windows client** 1. Download the portable [Windows client zip file](https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/2025.0/Clients/nice-dcv-client-Release-portable-2025.0-9800.zip). **Tip** The [latest packages](http://download.amazondcv.com/latest.html) page of the download website contains links that always point to the newest available version. You can use these links to automatically retrieve the newest Amazon DCV packages. 1. Extract the contents of the zip file. 1. To launch the client, open the extracted folder, navigate to `/bin/`, and double-click `dcvviewer.exe`. # Web browser client The Amazon DCV web browser client runs inside a web browser. You don't need to install the web client. The web browser client is supported on the following browsers across all major desktop operating systems (including Windows, macOS, and Linux): | Browser | Version | | --- | --- | | Google Chrome | Latest three major versions | | Mozilla Firefox | Latest three major versions | | Microsoft Edge | Latest three major versions | | Apple Safari | Latest three major versions | For instructions on how to connect to a Amazon DCV session using the web browser client, see [Connecting to a Amazon DCV session using the web browser client](using-connecting-browser-connect.md). **WebCodecs** The web browser client can use WebCodecs to use video decoders that are already present in the browser. This can improve frame rate, because packets can be decoded by components of the browser. The Amazon DCV web browser client will automatically use it if supported by the browser. The use of WebCodecs is available on the following browsers: + Google Chrome version 94 and later + Microsoft Edge version 94 and later All major operating systems are supported. This includes Windows, macOS, and Linux. **Limitations** The web browser client has the following limitations: + It supports up to two screens with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080. The maximum resolution can be overriden on the server side. For more information, see [Managing the Amazon DCV Session Display Layout](https://docs.amazonaws.cn/dcv/latest/adminguide/managing-session-display.html) in the *Amazon DCV Administrator Guide*. + It uses the web browser's proxy configuration. # Linux client The Linux client runs natively on the operating system. You can use it to connect to Amazon DCV sessions that are hosted on Windows and Linux Amazon DCV servers. You install the Linux client on a Linux client computer using a software package. The software package installs all required packages and their dependencies, and performs the required client configuration. For instructions on how to connect to a Amazon DCV session using the Linux client, see [Connecting to a Amazon DCV session using the Linux client](using-connecting-linux.md). **To install the Linux client** 1. The software packages are digitally signed with a secure GPG signature. To allow the package manager to verify the package signature, import the Amazon DCV GPG key. To do this, open a terminal window and import the Amazon DCV GPG key. + RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, and SUSE Linux Enterprise 15 ``` $ sudo rpm --import https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/NICE-GPG-KEY ``` + Ubuntu Download the GPG key. ``` $ wget https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/NICE-GPG-KEY ``` Install the GPG key. ``` $ sudo apt-key add NICE-GPG-KEY ``` 1. Download the appropriate client software package for your target operating system from the [Amazon DCV](http://download.amazondcv.com) website. **Tip** The [latest packages](http://download.amazondcv.com/latest.html) page of the download website contains links that always point to the newest available version. You can use these links to automatically retrieve the newest Amazon DCV packages. 1. Install the Linux client. Enter the filename of the downloaded file to complete the following command. + RHEL, CentOS, and Rocky Linux ``` $ sudo yum install the downloaded .rpm file ``` + Ubuntu ``` $ sudo dpkg --install the downloaded .deb file ``` + SUSE Linux Enterprise ``` $ sudo zypper install the downloaded .rpm file ``` # macOS client The Amazon DCV macOS client is supported on Apple Mac computers only. The macOS client is a standalone application that runs on the macOS operating system. The macOS client is installed using a `.dmg` software package. For instructions on how to connect to a Amazon DCV session using the macOS client, see [Connecting to a Amazon DCV session using the macOS client](using-connecting-mac.md). **To install the macOS client** 1. Download the correct macOS client installer depending on your client computer. + [macOS client for Intel processors](https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/2025.0/Clients/nice-dcv-viewer-2025.0.8846.x86_64.dmg) + [macOS clients for Apple M1 processors](https://d1uj6qtbmh3dt5.cloudfront.net/2025.0/Clients/nice-dcv-viewer-2025.0.8846.arm64.dmg) **Tip** The [latest packages](http://download.amazondcv.com/latest.html) page of the download website contains links that always point to the newest available version. You can use these links to automatically retrieve the newest Amazon DCV packages. 1. Run the downloaded `.dmg` file. If you get an error stating that the application can't be installed because it's from an unidentified developer, see the [Safely open apps on your Mac](https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT202491) webpage. 1. Click and drag the `DCV.app` file to the **Applications** folder. 1. (Optional) For easy access, create a desktop shortcut or add the application to the dock.