Microsoft Windows Server 2022 RDS 10 Device CAL – Installation, Activation, and Licence Management

Before you start

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services (RDS) enables remote access to desktops and applications hosted on a server. To legally use this feature, each organisation must have the appropriate number of RDS Client Access License (CAL). In this article, we focus on RDS 10 Device CAL licenses - i.e. licenses assigned to devices that allow any user to use RDS services on a given device.

What you get from KluczeSoft?

• Original license key: 10 Device CAL for RDS for Windows Server 2022
• Fast key delivery: immediately after purchase
• Technical support: assistance with installation and activation
• VAT invoice
• Legality guarantee

Note: The RDS CAL license is an add-on to the standard Windows Server CAL license. This means that both types of licenses are required to use RDS services.

Support terms and prices

You can find more information and our full offer on the page: /windows-server-cals

System requirements

To install and activate RDS Device CAL on Windows Server 2022, your server must meet the minimum hardware and software requirements compatible with Microsoft documentation.

Tip: It is recommended to regularly update the Windows Server 2022 system to the latest security patches.

Step 1: Installing the Remote Desktop Services Role

1. Log in to the Windows Server 2022 server as an administrator.
2. Open 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 right corner, click Manage, then select 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 of servers and click Next.
6. On the Select server roles screen, check Remote Desktop Services. Click Next.
7. On the Select role services screen, check Remote Desktop Licensing. You can also install other services, such as Remote Desktop Session Host, if you plan to share desktops or applications.
8. Click Next, then Install.
9. After the installation is complete, click Close.

Tip: The installation does not require a server restart, but it may be recommended after completing the configuration.

Step 2: Activating the RDS License Server

1. In Server Manager, go to Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
2. In the left panel, right-click the server name and select Activate Server.
3. The Activate Server Wizard will start. Click Next.
4. Select the connection method Automatic connection (recommended) and click Next.
5. Enter the required company data: name, country, email address. Click Next.
6. After the activation process is complete, click Finish. You can choose to install licenses immediately or do so later.

Note: If the server does not have internet access, select telephone or web activation.

Step 3: Installing RDS 10 Device CAL Licenses

1. In Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, right-click the server and select Install Licenses.
2. The Install Licenses Wizard will start. Click Next.
3. Select the licensing program compatible with your purchase (e.g., Other or Open License).
4. Enter the License Key Pack ID you received from KluczeSoft.
5. Specify the Product Version as Windows Server 2022.
6. Select the License Type: Per Device.
7. Enter the number of licenses (e.g., 10).
8. Click Next, then Finish. The licenses will be installed and visible in the manager.

Tip: Make sure the number of installed licenses matches the number of devices using RDS. If you need assistance, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.

Step 4: Activation with a product key – alternative methods

Activation via GUI (Licensing Manager)

The most convenient method is to use the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager, as described above. However, if you encounter issues with the GUI or want to automate the process, you can use command-line tools.

Activation via command line (CMD)

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Go to the administrative tools directory:

cd "C:\Windows\System32"

1. Enter the license activation command (example for Windows Server):

slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
slmgr.vbs /ato

Replace XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your product key.

Note: The slmgr.vbs command applies to Windows Server activation, not CALs themselves. RDS CAL licenses are always installed through the Licensing Manager or PowerShell tools.

Verification of activation

To check the activation status of your Windows Server:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

To check the status of RDS CAL licenses:

• Open Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager and check the number of available and issued licenses.
• You can also use the PowerShell command:

Get-RDLicenseConfiguration

Step 5: Verification of activation

After completing the installation and activation of RDS Device CAL licenses, ensure that everything is working correctly.

1. Open Remote Desktop Services Licensing Manager.
2. Check if the list displays the correct number of installed and available licenses.
3. In the Issued Licenses section, you can see which devices have received licenses.
4. If necessary, run the command:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

1. Test the remote connection from a client device. After successful login, the license should be automatically assigned to the device.

Tip: In case of issues with license assignment, check the server event logs.

Step 6: Post-installation configuration

After activating RDS Device CAL licenses, it's a good idea to perform a few additional configuration steps:

1. Assign the license server to the RDS session host:
   • Open Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services > Collections.
   • Right-click the collection and select Properties.
   • In the Licensing section, specify the license server name.
2. Configure the licensing mode:
   • In Server Manager, go to Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host.
   • Select Licensing Mode (Per Device).
3. Secure RDS connections:
   • Configure SSL certificates for RDP connections.
   • Use Network Level Authentication (NLA).
4. Monitor license usage:
   • Regularly check the number of issued licenses and release unused ones (e.g., after hardware replacement).
5. Update the system and RDS roles:
   • Install the latest Windows Server updates.

Tip: It's a good practice to document assigned licenses to devices within your organization.

For any further assistance or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call us at 00 800 121 1654.

Step 7: Troubleshooting

Below, we present the most common problems and their solutions:

1. Error: "No Remote Desktop license servers available to provide a license."

Description: Users cannot log in because the server does not see an active license server.

Solution:

• Ensure that the license server is online and properly assigned to the session host.
• In Server Manager > Remote Desktop Session Host > Properties > Licensing, enter the correct license server name.
• Check the network connection between the session host and the license server.

2. Error: "The Remote Desktop Session Host server is in Per User licensing mode and no Remote Desktop license servers are available."

Description: The licensing mode does not match the type of licenses purchased.

Solution:

• Set the licensing mode to Per Device according to the purchased licenses.
• In gpedit.msc, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing and set the appropriate policy.

3. Error: "Remote Desktop Licensing mode is not configured."

Description: The licensing mode has not been configured.

Solution:

• Configure the licensing mode through Server Manager or gpedit.msc as above.

4. Error: "Licenses are not being issued to clients."

Description: Licenses are not being issued to devices.

Solution:

• Check if the number of available licenses is greater than the number of devices.
• Check if the license server is activated.
• Restart the Remote Desktop Licensing service:

net stop TermServLicensing
net start TermServLicensing

5. Error: "The license server cannot be activated."

Description: Problem with activating the license server.

Solution:

• Try activation by phone or via the website.
• Check the internet connection and proxy settings.
• Ensure you have administrator privileges.

6. Licenses assigned to non-existent devices

Description: After replacing hardware, licenses are assigned to old devices.

Solution:

• Device CAL licenses are automatically released after 52-89 days. If necessary, contact Microsoft support.

Step 8: Comparing versions and prices at KluczeSoft

Tip: Choose Device CAL if multiple people use one device. Choose User CAL if one user uses multiple devices.

For more information: /windows-server-cals

If you need help, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654. We also support Microsoft products, including Windows and Office.

Summary

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 RDS 10 Device CAL licenses are an essential element of remote access infrastructure in every organisation. Their correct installation and activation ensure legal, secure, and efficient access to server resources for multiple devices. If you have any questions or issues, please contact our technical support department at 00 800 121 1654 or visit our knowledge base at pomoc.kluczesoft.pl.

Remember: Regularly monitor and update your licenses and RDS configuration to ensure continuity of operation and compliance with Microsoft requirements.