How do I install and activate RDS CALs for Windows Server 2016?
Follow these steps to install the Remote Desktop Licensing role service and Remote Desktop Session Host:
Installing the Remote Desktop Licensing Role
- Open Server Manager: Click on Windows and then Server Manager.
- Select Manage in the top-right corner, then click Add roles and features.
- In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.
- Choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
- Select the server to install the roles on and click Next.
- On the Select server roles page, check the Remote Desktop Services box and click Next.
- On the Select features page, check Remote Server Administration Tools.
- Click Add Features.
- Click Next.
- Click Next again.
- Check the boxes for Remote Desktop Licensing and Remote Desktop Session Host, then click Next.
- In the web server role, click Next.
- In the Select role services option, click Next.
- Check the box for Automatically restart the server and click Install. Wait for the roles to install.
- After the roles are installed, proceed to the next step to use your remote desktop service.
Activating the licensing server
- Select Tools in the top-right corner, then choose Remote Desktop Services and click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
- Right-click on the server and select Activate Server.
- In the server activation wizard, click Next.
- Select the automatic connection method and click Next.
- Enter the required information (first name, last name, region, and company name). Click Next.
- Enter the company information and click Next.
- After completing the licensing server activation, start installing the licenses. Click Next.
- Click Next to review your server setup.
- Select Retail Pack (Box or Preinstalled Product) under License Program. Click Next.
- Enter the product key for your RDS CALs and click Add.
- Once the license is recognized, click Next.
- The license installation wizard will confirm successful installation. Click Finish.
- Your licensing server is now ready to issue and manage licenses. Check by selecting your server name to see the available and issued licenses, which should be zero initially.