Setting Up and Activating RDS CALs on Windows Server 2016

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

Installing the Remote Desktop Licensing Role

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

2. Click Manage at the top-right corner, then select Add roles and features.

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

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

5. Choose the server where the roles will be installed, then click Next.

6. On the Select server roles page, check the box for Remote Desktop Services, then click Next.

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

8. Click Add Features.

9. Click Next.

10. Click Next again.

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

12. Under the web server role, click Next.

13. Click Next on the Select role services page.

14. Tick the box for Automatically restart the server, then click Install. Wait for the roles to be installed.

15. After the roles are installed, continue with setting up the remote desktop service.

Activating the Licensing Server

1. In the top-right corner, select Tools, then Remote Desktop Services, and click 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 automatic connection method, then click Next.

5. Enter your details (first name, last name, region, and company name), then click Next.

6. Enter your company's information and click Next.

7. You have now activated the licensing server. Click Next to start installing the licences.

8. Review your server setup and click Next.

9. Select Retail Pack (Box or Preinstalled Product) under Licence Program, then click Next.

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

11. After recognising the licence, click Next.

12. The licence installation wizard will confirm successful installation. Click Finish.

13. Your licensing server is now ready to issue and manage licences. You can verify this by selecting your server's name and checking the available and issued licences, which should currently be zero.