Microsoft Windows Server 2022 RDS 50 User CAL – Installation, Activation, and Licence Management

Before You Begin

Microsoft Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services (RDS) 50 User Client Access Licenses (CALs) is a license package that enables 50 individual users to use the remote desktop features on a Windows Server 2022 server. This solution allows organisations to provide their employees with secure and efficient access to applications and work environments from any location and device.

What You Get with KluczeSoft?

When purchasing the Windows Server 2022 RDS 50 User CAL package at KluczeSoft.pl, you receive:

• An original license key for 50 users (User CAL)
• Step-by-step installation and activation instructions
• Access to KluczeSoft's technical support
• A guarantee of legality and compliance with Microsoft's policy
• The ability to download official installation files

Price at KluczeSoft: 1399 zł brutto for 50 User CAL (as of June 2024)

Support Periods

Note: RDS CAL for Windows Server 2022 are backwards compatible with Windows Server 2019 and 2016.

What are RDS CAL Licenses?

• Windows Server CAL – a basic license that enables access to server services.
• RDS CAL – an additional license required to use Remote Desktop Services.
• User CAL – licenses a user who can connect to the server from any number of devices.
• Device CAL – licenses a device that can be used by multiple users.

You can read more about licensing in our guide: /windows-server-cals

System Requirements

To properly install and activate RDS CAL licenses on Windows Server 2022, you must meet the following hardware and software requirements, as per Microsoft documentation.

Tip: It is recommended to perform regular backups of the server configuration before installing roles and licenses.

Step 1: Installing Remote Desktop Services Roles

Before activating the RDS CAL licence, you need to install the appropriate server roles.

1. Open Server Manager

After logging in to the Windows Server 2022 as an administrator, click on the Server Manager icon on the taskbar or search for it in the Start menu.

2. Add Roles and Features

• In Server Manager, click Manage in the top right corner.
• Select Add Roles and Features.

3. Add Roles and Features Wizard

• On the welcome screen, click Next.
• Choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
• Select the server from the list (usually local) and click Next.

4. Select Server Roles

• Check Remote Desktop Services.
• After expanding this role, check:
  • Remote Desktop Licensing
  • Remote Desktop Session Host
• Click Next.

5. Confirm and Install

• Review the summary.
• Click Install.
• After the installation is complete, restart the server if prompted.

Note: The RD Licensing role can be installed on the same or a different server than the RD Session Host.

Step 2: Activating the RDS Licensing Server

After installing the roles, you need to activate the licensing server that will manage the allocation of CALs.

1. Open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager

• In Server Manager, click Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

2. Activate the Licensing Server

• In the left pane, right-click the server name and select Activate Server.
• The Activate Server Wizard will open.

3. Go through the Wizard

• Click Next.
• Enter company data (name, country, email, phone). Click Next.
• Choose the connection method:
  • Automatic connection (recommended) – requires internet access.
  • Telephone – if the server does not have internet access.
• Click Next and wait for the process to complete.
• After activation, click Finish.

Tip: Company data should match the licence purchase documentation.

Step 3: Installing RDS CAL Licences (50 User CAL)

After activating the licensing server, you can proceed to install the purchased CAL licences.

1. Run the Licence Installation Wizard

• In the Licensing Manager, right-click the server name and select Install Licences.
• The Install Licences Wizard will open.

2. Choose the Licensing Programme

• Select License Pack (Retail Purchase).
• Click Next.

3. Enter the Product Key

• Enter the 25-character product key received from KluczeSoft for 50 User CAL.
• Click Add and Next.

4. Complete the Installation

• After successful verification of the key, the licences will be installed.
• Click Finish.

5. Verification

• In the main Licensing Manager window, under the server name, the installed licences Windows Server 2022 – RDS Per User CAL – 50 should be visible.

Note: Licences can be installed multiple times on the same server if you purchase additional packages.

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 – Different Methods

Method 1: Activation via GUI (Recommended)

• All the above steps (role installation, license server activation, CAL installation) are performed through the Licensing Manager graphical interface.

Method 2: Activation via Command Line (cmd)

In some cases (e.g., automation, server without GUI), licenses can be activated from the command line level.

Activating the License Server (Example):

cd "C:\Windows\System32"
LicPrst.exe /AT=ActivationType /SN=ServerName /PK=XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Note: LicPrst.exe is a tool for managing RDS licenses. Details of the parameters can be found in Microsoft documentation.

Verifying License Server Activation:

LicPrst.exe /ST

Activating the Windows Server Product Key (if required):

cd "C:\Windows\System32"
slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
slmgr.vbs /ato

Verifying Activation Status:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

Tip: For RDS CAL licenses, activation is performed through the Licensing Manager, not through slmgr.vbs.

Step 5: Verifying Activation and License Availability

After completing the installation and activation of licenses, ensure that the licenses are properly visible and assigned to users.

Verification in GUI

• Open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
• Check under the server name if the following entry appears:
  • Windows Server 2022 – RDS Per User CAL – 50
  • Status: Available

Verification via PowerShell

You can use the command:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_TSLicenseKeyPack

It will display the installed RDS license packs.

Verifying License Assignment to Users

• In the Licensing Manager, click Issued Licenses to see the list of users who have been assigned licenses.

Note: Assigning Per User licenses may be visible with a delay – the system synchronizes with the domain controller.

Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration

After activating RDS CAL licenses, it's worth performing a few additional configuration steps:

1. Assign the License Server to the Session Host

• Open Server Manager > Remote Desktop Services > Collections.
• Select the appropriate collection and click Properties.
• In the Licensing section, specify the license server name.
• Select the licensing mode: Per User.

2. Configure Group Policies (GPO)

• Open Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc or gpmc.msc).
• Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.
• Configure:
  • Specify the Remote Desktop license server (specify the FQDN of the server)
  • Specify the Remote Desktop licensing mode (Per User)

3. Test RDP Connections

• From another computer, run Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe).
• Enter the IP address or server name.
• Log in as a domain user.
• Check if the connection is possible and no license-related messages appear.

4. Monitor License Usage

• Regularly check in the Licensing Manager how many users are using RDS.
• If necessary, purchase additional CAL packs.

If you need help or have questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.

Step 7: Troubleshooting

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

1. Error: "Remote Desktop License Issue" / "Remote Desktop licenses are not available"

• Cause: Lack of assigned license server or incorrect licensing mode.
• Solution:
  • Check in GPO or Server Manager if the session host points to the correct license server and licensing mode.
  • Restart the Remote Desktop Licensing service.

2. Error: "No Remote Desktop License Servers Available"

• Cause: The license server has not been activated or is unavailable on the network.
• Solution:
  • Ensure that the license server is activated (see the activation section).
  • Check the network connection between the session host and the license server.

3. Error: "Expiry of RDS license grace period"

• Cause: Licenses were not installed within 120 days of installing the RDS role.
• Solution:
  • Install the purchased CAL licenses immediately.
  • After installation, restart the server.

4. Error: "Licenses are not being assigned to users"

• Cause: Lack of synchronization with the domain controller or permission issues.
• Solution:
  • Check if the server is a domain member.
  • Ensure that users have permissions to log in via RDP.
  • If necessary, restart the server and domain controller.

5. Error: "Invalid product key"

• Cause: An incorrect or already used CAL key was entered.
• Solution:
  • Verify the correctness of the entered key.
  • Contact KluczeSoft to verify the key.

6. Error: "No visible licenses after installation"

• Cause: Synchronization error or issue with the license database.
• Solution:
  • Refresh the view in the Licensing Manager.
  • Restart the Remote Desktop Licensing service:

    Restart-Service TermServLicensing
    

  • Check system event logs.

Tip: In case of more serious problems, use the official Microsoft tool: RD Licensing Diagnoser available in Server Manager.

Comparison of versions and prices at KluczeSoft

Below, you will find a comparison of the most popular RDS CAL packages available at KluczeSoft:

More information and purchases: /windows-server-cals

Should you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call us at 00 800 121 1654.

Summary

Installing and activating 50 Microsoft Windows Server 2022 RDS User CAL licenses is a process that requires precision and knowledge of the server environment. With this guide, you can complete the entire process independently, step by step, minimizing the risk of errors and downtime.

Remember to:

• Regularly verify the number of users and licenses
• Keep purchase documentation
• Monitor the activation status and license assignment

If you encounter any problems or have questions, please contact our technical support:

Phone: 00 800 121 1654

E-mail: [email protected]

See also:

• How to choose the right type of CAL?
• Guide: Installing Windows Server 2022
• Licensing Office on a server