Microsoft Windows Server 2019 RDS 10 Device CAL – Installation, Activation, and Licence Management

Before you start

Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services (RDS) 10 Device CAL is a licence package that enables access to Remote Desktop Services on a Windows Server 2019 for 10 devices. Each Device CAL licence is assigned to a specific device, which can be used by multiple users. RDS CAL is required in addition to the standard Windows Server CAL licence if you plan to enable remote access to applications or the server desktop.

At KluczeSoft.pl, you can find legal, electronic RDS 10 Device CAL keys for 269 zł gross. We also offer other RDS licence variants, both Device and User CAL, as well as technical support at every stage of implementation.

What you get with KluczeSoft:

• Electronic RDS 10 Device CAL licence key
• Activation instructions and implementation support
• VAT invoice
• Technical support by phone and email

Product support table

Note: RDS CALs are tied to the server version. They cannot be used on newer versions of Windows Server.

System requirements

To deploy RDS 10 Device CAL on Windows Server 2019, your server must meet the minimum hardware and software requirements in accordance with Microsoft documentation.

Minimum hardware and software requirements

Tip: It is recommended to use the latest Windows Server 2019 updates and to regularly perform backups.

Step 1: Installing the Remote Desktop Services Role

1. Log in to the Windows Server 2019 server as an administrator.
2. Open Server Manager (Server Manager). You can do this by clicking the icon on the taskbar or by typing Server Manager in the Start menu.
3. In the top left corner, click Manage > Add Roles and Features.
4. In the wizard, select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
5. Select the server from the list and click Next.
6. On the list of roles, check Remote Desktop Services (Remote Desktop Services). Click Next.
7. Select the required RDS role services:
   • Remote Desktop Session Host (Remote Desktop Session Host)
   • Remote Desktop Licensing (Remote Desktop Licensing)
8. Confirm your selection and click Install. The installation may take a few minutes.
9. After the installation is complete, restart the server if prompted.

Note: It is recommended to install the RDS Licensing role on a dedicated server, but in small environments, it can be installed on the same server as the Session Host.

Step 2: Activating the RDS License Server

1. Open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager (Remote Desktop Licensing Manager). You can find it in the Start menu under the name licmgr.exe or in the administrative tools.
2. In the manager window, in the left panel, right-click the server name and select Activate Server.
3. In the activation wizard, click Next.
4. Select the connection method to Microsoft:
   • Automatically (recommended, requires Internet access)
   • By phone (if the server does not have Internet access)
5. Enter the required organizational data and click Next.
6. After completing the process, click Finish. Your license server is now activated.

Tip: Without activating the server, it will not be possible to install and issue RDS CAL licenses.

Step 3: Installing RDS 10 Device CAL Licenses

1. In Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, right-click the server name and select Install Licenses.
2. In the installation wizard, select the licensing program type, e.g., Open License, Retail, or another compatible with the purchased license.
3. Enter the product key received from KluczeSoft.pl.
4. Select the license type: Device CAL.
5. Enter the number of licenses (e.g., 10) and click Next.
6. After completing the installation, click Finish.
7. The licenses are now ready to be assigned to devices during the first remote connection.

Note: Device CAL licenses are automatically assigned to devices during the first remote connection to the RDS server. If you need help or have questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.

Step 4: Activation with a Product Key – GUI and Command Line Methods

Activation via GUI (RDS Licensing Manager)

1. Open the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager.
2. Right-click the server > Install Licenses.
3. Enter the product key received from KluczeSoft.pl.
4. Follow the wizard.

Activation via Command Line (slmgr.vbs)

If you are activating the Windows Server 2019 system itself:

cd %windir%\system32
slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
slmgr.vbs /ato

Where XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX is your product key.

Activation Verification

To check the system activation status:

cd %windir%\system32
slmgr.vbs /xpr

To check the RDS CAL license status:

1. Open the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager.
2. Check the number of available and assigned licenses in the right panel.

Note: RDS CAL licenses are not activated through slmgr.vbs – they are managed by the RDS Licensing Manager.

Step 5: Activation Verification

1. Open the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager.
2. In the left panel, select the license server.
3. In the right panel, check the Licenses section – you should see information about the number of installed and assigned Device CAL licenses.
4. You can also check the Windows Server activation status with the command:

cd %windir%\system32
slmgr.vbs /xpr

1. If you are using PowerShell, you can use the command:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_TerminalServiceSetting -Namespace root\cimv2 | Select-Object -Property LicensingName, LicensingType

1. In case of issues with license assignment, check the event logs in Event Viewer in the Application and Services > Microsoft > Windows > TerminalServices-Licensing section.

Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration

After installing and activating RDS Device CAL licenses, it is recommended to perform several key configuration tasks:

1. Assign the license server to Session Hosts:
   • Open Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services > Collections.
   • Right-click the collection name > Properties > Licensing.
   • Enter the license server name.
2. Configure the licensing mode:
   • Set the mode to Per Device.
   • You can do this in GPO: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.
   • Configure the options: Specify the Remote Desktop Services licensing mode and Specify the Remote Desktop Services license servers.
3. Test the RDS connection from a client device – check if the device receives a license.
4. Monitor license usage – regularly check the number of assigned licenses in the RDS Licensing Manager.
5. Create backups of the license configuration – export the license server configuration.

Tip: In larger environments, it is recommended to implement monitoring and alerts for license usage.

For any further assistance or questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.

Step 7: Troubleshooting

Below, you will find the most common issues related to the installation and activation of RDS Device CAL on Windows Server 2019, along with their solutions:

1. Lack of available RDS licenses after installation

• Symptom: Users receive a message about the lack of available licenses.
• Solution:
  • Check if the license server is activated and properly assigned to Session Hosts.
  • Verify the licensing mode (Per Device).
  • Restart the Remote Desktop Licensing service (services.msc).

2. "License not issued to this device" message

• Symptom: New devices do not receive Device CAL licenses.
• Solution:
  • Check if the number of available licenses has been exceeded.
  • Remove old, unused license assignments in the Licensing Manager.

3. License server activation error

• Symptom: The activation wizard cannot connect to the Microsoft server.
• Solution:
  • Check the server's internet connection.
  • Try telephone activation.
  • Check the network firewall and proxy settings.

4. "Remote Desktop licensing is not configured" error

• Symptom: A warning about the lack of licensing configuration appears in Server Manager.
• Solution:
  • Configure the licensing mode and specify the license server in GPO or directly on the server.

5. Licenses not visible after installation

• Symptom: After installation, licenses do not appear in the Licensing Manager.
• Solution:
  • Ensure you are using the correct type of licensing program.
  • Verify the correctness of the product key.
  • Try reinstalling the licenses.

6. Exceeded Device CAL limit

• Symptom: New devices cannot obtain licenses.
• Solution:
  • Release licenses assigned to unused devices.
  • Increase the license pool by purchasing additional Device CALs.

Tip: Detailed error logs can be found in the Event Viewer in the TerminalServices-Licensing section.

Version and price comparison at KluczeSoft

Note: RDS CALs are sold separately from standard Windows Server CALs. Each device or user using RDS must have both a standard CAL and an RDS CAL. If you need help, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.

Summary

Proper installation and activation of the Microsoft Windows Server 2019 RDS 10 Device CAL licence is crucial for the legal and efficient operation of a remote desktop environment. Remember that each Device CAL licence is assigned to a specific device, and its management is carried out through the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager. In case of problems or questions, please contact our technical support at 00 800 121 1654 or visit our knowledge base.

You can find more information about RDS licences on the following page: /windows-server-cals

Do you have any questions? Contact us – we will be happy to help you choose and implement the licences!