Activate a Remote Desktop License Server Automatically

Updated: February 16, 2011

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

A license server must be activated to certify the license server and allow the license server to issue Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs). You can activate a license server by using the Activate Server Wizard in the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool.

To activate a Remote Desktop license server automatically

  1. On the license server, open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. To open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, point to Remote Desktop Services, and then click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

  2. Right-click the license server that you want to activate, and then click Activate Server. The Activate Server Wizard starts.

  3. In the Activate Server Wizard, on the Welcome to the Activate Server Wizard page, click Next.

  4. On the Connection Method page, in the Connection method list, select Automatic connection (recommended), and then click Next.

  5. On the Company Information page, type your name and company, select your country or region, and then click Next.

  6. On the Company Information optional information page, specify any other information that you want to provide, such as e-mail and company address, and then click Next to activate your license server.

  7. On the Completing the Activate Server Wizard pagedo one of the following:

    • To install Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs) onto your license server, ensure that the Start Install Licenses Wizard now check box is selected, click Next, and then follow the instructions.

    • To install RDS CALs later, clear the Start Install Licenses Wizard now check box, and then click Finish.