If users connect to a server with a full desktop session via Remote Desktop Services (RDS), the standard Windows Server CAL is not enough. You need a separate RDS CAL for every user or device that connects — on top of the regular Server CAL. This is the single most misunderstood part of server licensing, so let us make it simple.
If users connect to a server with a full desktop session via Remote Desktop Services (RDS), the standard Windows Server CAL is not enough. You need a separate RDS CAL for every user or device that connects — on top of the regular Server CAL. This is the single most misunderstood part of server licensing, so let us make it simple.
RDS access always requires two licenses per accessing user or device: the base Windows Server CAL (for connecting to the server at all) and the RDS CAL (for the Remote Desktop session). Both must match the server version — a Windows Server 2022 deployment needs 2022 CALs and 2022 RDS CALs.
| RDS User CAL | RDS Device CAL | |
|---|---|---|
| Assigned to | A named user | A specific device |
| Best when | People connect from many devices (laptop, phone, home PC) | Many people share few devices (e.g. shift workstations) |
| Counts | One per unique user | One per unique device |
| Workgroup (no domain) | Not permitted | Required (only Device CALs allowed) |
Pick User CALs when staff connect from multiple devices each; pick Device CALs when several people share a smaller number of machines. Note: in a workgroup (non-domain) deployment, only Device CALs are allowed. In a domain you can mix both.
Microsoft requires one CAL for every unique user or device that ever connects — not just those connected at the same time. There is no concurrent-use model for RDS CALs, so count your total population of users (or devices), not your peak simultaneous sessions.
Remote Desktop always needs an RDS CAL in addition to the Windows Server CAL, matched to the server version. Choose User CALs for people on many devices, Device CALs for shared machines (mandatory in workgroups), and license every user or device that will ever connect — not your peak concurrency.
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Yes. Remote Desktop access requires both: the base Windows Server CAL to connect to the server, plus a separate RDS CAL for the Remote Desktop session. Both must match the server version.
A User CAL is assigned to a named person and lets them connect from any device; a Device CAL is tied to a specific device used by anyone. User CALs suit staff on multiple devices; Device CALs suit shared machines. In a workgroup, only Device CALs are allowed.
One for every unique user or device that will ever connect — RDS CALs are not concurrent licenses. Count your total user or device population, not the number of simultaneous sessions.
Install the Remote Desktop Licensing role, activate the license server and install your RDS CALs, then set each session host to Per User or Per Device mode and point it to the license server, usually via Group Policy.
Yes. KeyVano delivers software licenses to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Delivery is instant by email everywhere, prices are the same for all countries, and the license keys work worldwide without regional locks.