Setting Up and Activating RDS CALs on Windows Server 2022

Set up the Remote Desktop Licensing service role and Remote Desktop Session Host by following these steps:

Installing the Remote Desktop Licensing role.

1. Launch the Server Manager. Click on Windows and then Server Manager.

2. Select Manage.

3. Then click Add Roles and Features.

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

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

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

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

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

9. After checking the box, click Add Features.

10. Then click Next.

11. Click Next.

12. In the next box, check Remote Desktop Licensing and Remote Desktop Session Host and click Next.

13. For the web server role, click Next.

14. In the Select role services option, click Next.

15. Click Install and wait for the roles to install. Restart the server if prompted.

16. Once the roles are installed, proceed to the next step to use your remote desktop service.

Activating the licensing server

1. In the top right, go to Tools, select Remote Desktop Services, and click on Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

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

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

4. Select the automatic connection method and click Next.

5. Enter the requested details (first name, last name, region, and company name). Click Next.

6. Enter the company information and click Next.

7. You have finished activating the licensing server. Now you will install the licences. Click Next.

8. You will get a reminder of your server configuration. Click Next.

9. In the License Program, select Packaged Lic. (Retail or Prod. Pack). Click Next.

10. Next, input the product key for your RDS CALs and click Add.

11. Once the licence is recognised, click Next.

12. The Licence Installation Wizard will confirm the correct installation. Click Finish.

13. Your licensing server is now ready to issue and manage licences. Check this by selecting your server's name to see the available and issued licences, which should initially be zero.