Expert Instructions for Installing and Activating RDS CALs on Windows Server 2019

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

Installing the Remote Desktop Licensing Role.

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

2. Click on Manage in the upper right corner and select Add Roles and Features.

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

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

5. Select the server on which to install the roles and click Next.

6. Tick the Remote Desktop Services checkbox on the Select Server Roles page and click Next.

7. On the Select Features page, select Remote Server Administration Tools.

8. Click Add Features in the next step.

9. Click Next again.

10. Click Next one more time.

11. Select Remote Desktop Licensing Management and Remote Desktop Session Host checkboxes and click Next.

12. For the Web Server role, click Next.

13. Click Next in the Select Role Services screen.

14. Select Automatically Restart the Server and click Install. Wait for the roles to be installed.

15. Once the roles are installed, proceed to configure your remote desktop service.

Activating the Licensing Server

1. In the top right corner, select Tools, then 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 appear. Click Next.

4. Select the automatic connection method and click Next.

5. Enter the required information (first name, last name, region, and company name) and click Next.

6. Fill in the company details and click Next.

7. The server activation wizard will display a summary. Click Next.

8. You will receive a setup reminder. Click Next.

9. Select License Pack under License Program and click Next.

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

11. Once the license is validated, click Next.

12. The License Installation Wizard will confirm successful installation. Click Finish.

13. Your licensing server is now ready to issue and manage licenses. You can verify this by selecting your server's name, where you'll see the available and issued licenses. Initially, it should show zero issued licenses.