Setting Up New Windows RDP/RDS Licenses for Windows Server 2022
Setting up new CALs (Client Access Licenses) for our Windows Server solutions requires a few steps. This Help Center article guides you through setting up, requesting, and then installing the RDS licenses.
Procedure
- Add Roles and Features
- Determine the license server ID
- Request licenses
- Add new licenses in RDSM
Add Roles and Features
The Remote Desktop Service (RDMS) is required to configure the licenses. You can install this on the server using Add Roles and Features.
Here, select Role-based or feature-based installation and proceed with the installation until you reach the Select server roles step.
Here, select Remote Desktop Services to install them on the server. You can then continue with the installation until you reach the Select Role Services step.
There, select all Remote Desktop Services and continue with the installation until it is complete.
Once you’re here, you can start the installation by clicking Install. The installation of Remote Desktop Services will then begin; after successful installation, you’ll need to restart the server.
Determine the License Server ID
Open the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager via Server Manager.
Right-click the active license in the overview that appears and select “Properties” to find your license server ID. This information is required, for example, by our support team if you need additional Microsoft licenses.
Please ensure that Full Product Purchase is selected as the license program and Phone is selected as the connection method.
Requesting Licenses
User CAL licenses can be purchased directly through our support team. To do so, please contact us and provide us with the license server ID as well as the number of User CALs you require.
You can find an overview of available Microsoft licenses at:
We will then send you the activation code so you can proceed to the next step.
Adding New Licenses in RDSM
After the initial installation of Remote Desktop Services, access Remote Desktop Services via Server Manager.
Here you can view the current server license and view and edit additional licenses for the server. Right-click the server in the server overview to launch the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
Right-click the active license to install and add new RDP & CAL licenses.
Follow the instructions in the License Installation Wizard, and in the next step, enter your license number and add it. Select Phone as the authentication method.
After that, you must complete the License Installation Wizard until the end, and you will have successfully added the additional Microsoft licenses.
Known Issues
The following error occurs during license installation:
Customer information is missing or corrupted. Enter all required information in the Properties dialog box.
This error occurs when the information required to activate new licenses is missing or corrupted. You can add or edit this information via the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager properties.
Here, navigate to Required Information and fill it out accurately; this information will only be used by a Microsoft support specialist if you need assistance.