How do install and activate RDS CALs for Windows Server 2016?

Follow these steps to set up the Remote Desktop Licensing role service and Remote Desktop Session Host:

Setting Up the Remote Desktop Licensing Role

1. Open Server Manager by clicking on the Windows icon and selecting Server Manager.

2. In the top-right corner, select Manage and then click Add roles and features.

3. In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.

4. Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

5. Select the server for role installation and click Next.

6. On the Select server roles page, check the box for Remote Desktop Services and click Next.

7. On the Select features page, check the box for Remote Server Administration Tools.

8. Click Add Features.

9. Click Next.

10. Click Next again.

11. In the next window, check the boxes for Remote Desktop Licensing and Remote Desktop Session Host and click Next.

12. On the web server role page, click Next.

13. In the Select role services window, click Next.

14. In the next screen, check the box to Automatically restart the server if required and click Install. Wait for the roles to be installed.

15. Once the roles are installed, proceed to the next step to set up your remote desktop service.

Activating the Licensing Server

1. Click Tools in the top-right corner, select Remote Desktop Services, and then click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

2. Right-click on the server and select Activate Server.

3. The server activation wizard will appear. Click Next.

4. Select the automatic connection method and click Next.

5. Provide the required information (first name, last name, region, and company name). Click Next.

6. Enter the company information and click Next.

7. With the licensing server activated, you can now install the licenses. Click Next.

8. You'll see a summary of your server settings. Click Next.

9. Under License Program, select Retail Pack (Box or Preinstalled Product) and click Next.

10. Enter the product key for your RDS CALs and click Add.

11. Once the license is validated, click Next.

12. The license installation wizard will confirm the installation's success. Click Finish.

13. Your licensing server is now ready to issue and manage licenses. You can verify this by selecting your server's name to see the available and issued licenses, which should currently be zero.