I'm currently experiencing an issue with slow initial launch times for my EC2 instances using new AMIs and the recommended Launch Template v2. Specifically, when I launch instances from the new Golden AMIs (based on Windows 2022/2025), it takes about 9 to 10 minutes to go through the initial setup phases, which is a significant delay that affects my Auto Scaling process.
In contrast, instances using older AMIs (from 2016 and 2019) launch much faster with no such delays. I've ensured that the AMIs were prepared properly using Sysprep and confirmed there are no heavy tasks during instance creation, like User Data scripts or intensive software installations.
Moreover, AWS Support has noted this slow behavior in their tests as well. I'm curious if others have encountered similar issues and if there are tweaks I can make to optimize the launch time, particularly with this new configuration. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
I think you're mixing up the terms a bit. The older setup is called Launch Configurations, while Launch Templates are the newer ones.
As for your issue, it could also depend on the instance type you're using. Some types are naturally slower to start up. Make sure you're measuring launch times correctly—from when the instance starts launching to when it reaches 'in service' status. And check if you've set any long-running User Data scripts in your launch template.
Typically, that 9-10 minute delay is attributed to Windows finishing its setup plus any cold EBS reads rather than the launch template itself. Some quick fixes: avoid using T-series instances for this kind of task, instead try an m6i.large or c6i.large instance. You should also put your root volume on gp3 to improve IOPS and throughput.
Additionally, double-check that any CIS standards or domain policies aren’t causing delays during the first boot. Disabling unnecessary first-boot plugins and tweaking your AMI's readiness checks might help speed things up too.
Have you tried using the older configuration with your new AMIs or swapping to the 2019 version on Launch Template v2? It might be more related to the Windows version itself rather than just the launch method. You should also consider the size of your base image—sometimes that can slow things down too.
By the way, AWS introduced a feature called fast launch for Windows AMIs that could help reduce setup times. You might want to check that out if you haven’t already!
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