Setup of new Windows RDP/RDS licenses Windows Server 2025
A few steps are required to set up new CAL (Client Access Licenses) for our Windows Server solutions. This help center article supports you in setting up, applying for and then installing the RDS licenses. In the "Managed" support level, these steps are carried out by our support team on request.
Procedure
- Add roles and features
- Activate license server
- Determine 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 via Add roles and features.
Here you select Role-based or feature-based installation and continue with the installation up to the Select server roles step.
Here you select the remote desktop services to install them on the server. You can then continue with the installation up to the Select role services step.
There you select all remote desktop services and can continue with the installation to the end.
Once here, you can start the installation by clicking on Install. The installation of the Remote Desktop Services will then start, after the successful installation a restart of the server is necessary.
Determine license server ID
Call up the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager via the Server Manager.
Next, the license server must be activated.
After the welcome dialog, set "Telephone " as the connection method and then select Germany.
Copy the Product ID displayed in the following window and inform our support team of this, as the license server must be initially activated with this.
As soon as you have received the corresponding license server ID from our support and have entered it in the window, you can continue.
By right-clicking → Properties on the active license server in the following overview, you can determine your license server ID. This is required by our support team, for example, if you require additional Microsoft licenses.
Please make sure that Full product purchase is selected as the license program and Phone is selected as the connection method.
Apply for licenses
User CAL licenses can be purchased directly from our support team. Please contact us and let us know the license server ID and the number of User CALs you require.
You can find an overview of available Microsoft licenses at
You will then receive the activation code from us so that you can continue with the next step.
Adding new licenses in RDSM
After the initial installation of the Remote Desktop Services, call up the Remote Desktop Services via the Server Manager.
Here you can see the current server license and can view and edit the other licenses for the server. You can start the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager by right-clicking on the server in the server overview.
Right-click on the active license to install and add new RDP & CAL licenses.
Follow the instructions of the License Installation Wizard and enter and add your license number in the next step. Select Phone for the authentication option.
You must then complete the license installation wizard to the end and have successfully added the additional Microsoft licenses.
Known errors
The following error occurs during license installation:
Customer information is missing or corrupted. Enter all required information in the Properties dialog.
The error occurs if the information required to activate new licenses is missing or corrupted. You can add or edit these via the properties of the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
Here you navigate to Required Information and fill it out truthfully, this information will only be used by a Microsoft support specialist should you need assistance.