How to Successfully Set Up RDS CALs on Windows Server 2022

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

Installing the Remote Desktop Licensing role.

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

2. Click Manage.

3. Then select 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. Choose the server to install the roles on and click Next.

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

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

9. After selecting, click Add Features.

10. Then click Next.

11. Click Next.

12. In the next step, tick the boxes for Remote Desktop Licensing and Remote Desktop Session Host, then click Next.

13. For the web server role, click Next.

14. Under Select role services, click Next.

15. In the next screen, click Install and wait for the roles to be installed. Restart the server if required.

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

Activating the Licensing server

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

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

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

4. Choose the automatic connection method and click Next.

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

6. Provide the company information and click Next.

7. You have successfully activated the licensing server. Now, proceed to install the licences. Click Next.

8. You will be reminded of how your server is set up. Click Next.

9. Under the License Program, choose Packaged Lic. (Retail or Prod. Pack) and 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 successful installation. Click Finish.

13. Now your licensing server is ready to issue and manage licences. You can verify this by selecting your server's name to see the available licences and those issued. Initially, it should be zero.