Configuring and Activating RDS CALs on Windows Server 2022

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

Installing Remote Desktop Licensing Role

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

2. Click on Manage.

3. Next, select Add Roles and Features.

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

5. Select Role-based or feature-based installation and then click Next.

6. Select the server to install the roles on and click Next.

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

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

9. After checking the box, click Add Features.

10. Then click Next.

11. Click Next.

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

13. For the web server role, click Next.

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

15. Click Install and wait for the roles to install. 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, then click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

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

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

4. Choose the automatic connection method and click Next.

5. Provide the required information (first name, last name, region, and company name). Click Next.

6. Enter the company information and click Next.

7. You've completed the licensing server activation. Now start installing the licences. Click Next.

8. You will receive a reminder of your server's configuration. Click Next.

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

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

11. After the licence is validated, click Next.

12. The Licence Installation Wizard will confirm the 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 to see the available and issued licences, which should be zero at this point.