How to Install RDS CALs on Windows Server 2022 and 2025

To install RDS CALs on Windows Server 2022 or 2025, you add the Remote Desktop Licensing role, activate the license server, enter your license code in the Install Licenses Wizard, and point your Remote Desktop Session Host to the license server. Below are the steps, with screenshots from our own Windows Server 2022 test server and the video of the whole process.

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IMPORTANT: your RDS CALs must match the Windows Server version your users connect to. According to Microsoft, Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs work with Windows Server 2022 or earlier, but not with Windows Server 2025. And you install them on a license server with the same Windows Server version or a later one.

1. What you need

• Windows Server 2022 or 2025, installed and activated. If you still have to install it, follow our guide How to Install Windows Server 2022 and Activate It with a Product Key.
• Your RDS CAL license code for the same version, for example Windows Server 2022 RDS 50 Device CALs or Windows Server 2025 RDS 50 User CALs. Not sure which type you need? Read Windows Server RDS CALs: User CALs vs Device CALs.
• An account with administrator rights on the server.
• An internet connection, to activate the license server.

Microsoft's guide uses the same steps for Windows Server 2022 and 2025. Our screenshots are from Windows Server 2022 Standard, with one server that is both the license server and the Remote Desktop Session Host.

2. Install the Remote Desktop Licensing role

2.1 Open Server Manager from the Start menu. It takes a moment to load. Click Manage and choose Add Roles and Features.

2.2 Click Next. Keep Role-based or feature-based installation, select your server and click Next.

2.3 Select Remote Desktop Services and click Next until you reach Role Services.

2.4 Select Remote Desktop Licensing. Windows asks to add the tools it needs: click Add Features. If this server will also run the remote sessions, select Remote Desktop Session Host too, and click Add Features again.

2.5 Click Next, and on the confirmation page click Install. The installation takes a few minutes. When it finishes, click Close.

2.6 Restart the server: open the Start menu, click the power button and choose Restart.

3. Activate the license server

3.1 After the restart, open Server Manager. Click Tools, Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

3.2 Your license server says Not activated. Right-click it and choose Activate Server.

3.3 In the Activate Server Wizard, click Next. Keep Automatic connection (recommended) and click Next.

3.4 Enter your first name, last name, company, and country or region. Microsoft asks for these details to activate your license server. Then click Next.

3.5 The other details are optional, so click Next. The license server is activated. Keep Start Install Licenses Wizard now selected and click Next.

4. Install your RDS CALs

4.1 In the Install Licenses Wizard, click Next. Choose License Pack (Retail Purchase) and click Next.

4.2 Enter your license code: 25 characters, 5 in each box. Click Add: your licenses appear in the list. Then click Next.

4.3 Your RDS CALs are installed. In our example, 50 Windows Server 2022 RDS Per Device CALs. Click Finish.

4.4 Remote Desktop Licensing Manager now shows your installed licenses, and how many are available.

If you closed the wizard before installing the licenses, right-click your server in Remote Desktop Licensing Manager and choose Install Licenses.

5. Point the session host to the license server

5.1 On the Remote Desktop Session Host, press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

5.2 Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.

5.3 Open Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers. Select Enabled, type the name of your license server and click OK.

5.4 Open Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode. Select Enabled, choose Per Device or Per User to match your CALs, and click OK.

5.5 Apply the change: press Windows + R, type gpupdate /force and press Enter.

6. Check it with RD Licensing Diagnoser

In Server Manager, click Tools, Remote Desktop Services and Remote Desktop Licensing Diagnoser. It should say that it did not identify any licensing problems, with the number of licenses available and your licensing mode.

7. If it fails

• The license server won't activate: check your internet connection, or switch to another network, for example your phone's hotspot, and try again.
• The license code is not accepted: check that the CALs are for the same Windows Server version as your license server or an earlier one. Windows Server 2025 CALs can't be installed on a Windows Server 2022 license server.
• The diagnoser shows a problem: check that the licensing mode (Per Device or Per User) matches the type of CALs you installed, and that the license server name in the policy is correct. Then run gpupdate /force again.

8. Reveal your license code only when you are ready

At Licendeals, your license code stays hidden until you click Get my license. Reveal it when your license server is activated and you can install the CALs right away. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away.

9. Frequently asked questions