Step-by-Step Activation and Installation of RDS CALs on Windows Server 2022

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

Installing Remote Desktop Licensing role.

1. Launch the Server Manager. Click on Windows and then Server Manager.

2. Select Manage.

3. Then click on 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. Select the server where the roles will be installed and click Next.

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

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

9. After ticking the box, click Add Features.

10. Then click Next.

11. Click Next.

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

13. In the next step, for the web server role, click Next.

14. In the Select role services option, click Next.

15. In the next window, click Install and wait for the roles to install. Restart the server if prompted.

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

Activating the licensing server

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

2. Then, 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 requested details (first name, last name, region, and company name). Click Next.

6. Enter the company information and click Next.

7. You have completed the licensing server activation. Now you will start installing the licences. Click Next.

8. You will receive a reminder of how your server is configured. Click Next.

9. Then, in the License Program, select Packaged Lic. (Retail or Prod. Pack). Click Next.

10. Next, enter the product key for your RDS CALs and click Add.

11. After the licence is recognised, click Next.

12. At this point, the Licence Installation Wizard will confirm that it was installed correctly. Click Finish.

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