Activate the Remote Desktop Services license server

Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016

The Remote Desktop Services license server issues client access licenses (CALs) to users and devices when they access the RD Session Host. You can activate the license server by using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

Install the RD licensing role

  1. Sign into the server you want to use as the license server using an administrator account.
  2. In Server Manager, select Manage > Add Roles and Features.
  3. On the Select installation type page, select Role-based or feature-based installation.
  4. Specify the server on which you'll install the licensing role.
  5. On the Server Roles page, check the box for Remote Desktop Services, then select Next until you see the Remote Desktop Services page.
  6. Select the roles you want to install. Make sure you include the Remote Desktop Licensing role.
  7. In the Add Roles and Features Wizard dialog box, select Add Features.
  8. Select Next until you see the Confirmation page, then select Install.

For detailed information and other installation options, see Install or uninstall roles, role services, or features

Activate the license server

  1. In Server Manager, select Remote Desktop Services > Servers. Right-click the server where you installed the Remote Desktop Licensing role and select RD Licensing Manager.
  2. In the RD Licensing Manager, select the server, and then select Action > Activate Server.
  3. Accept the remaining default values in the Activate Server Wizard until you see the Company information page, then enter your company information.
  4. Accept the defaults for the remaining pages until the final page. Clear Start Install Licenses Wizard now, and then select Finish.
  5. Select Action > Review Configuration > Add to Group > OK and enter credentials for a user in the AAD DC Administrators group, and register as SCP. This step might not work if you are using Microsoft Entra Domain Services, but you can ignore any warnings or errors.