Microsoft Windows Server 2022 RDS 50 User CAL — installation

Step 1: Install the Remote Desktop Licensing Role

Open Server Manager on your Windows Server 2022

Click Add Roles and Features

Select Remote Desktop Services and then Remote Desktop Licensing

Complete the installation wizard and restart if prompted

Step 2: Activate the License Server

Open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager (search in Start menu or go to Server Manager → Remote Desktop Services → RD Licensing Manager)

Right-click the name of the license server, then select Activate Server

Follow the wizard — choose Automatic connection (online activation) as the activation method

Enter your company details when prompted

Complete the activation — the server status will change to Activated

Step 3: Install the RDS CALs

In the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, right-click the name of the license server, then select Install Licenses

On the welcome page, select Next

Select the program you purchased your RDS CALs from — for a retail purchase select License Pack (Retail Purchase), then select Next

Enter your 25-character product key (the license code provided with your purchase)

Select the product version (Windows Server 2022), license type (User CAL), and number of licenses (50), then select Next

The license manager contacts the Microsoft Clearinghouse to validate and retrieve your licenses — select Finish to complete the process

Step 4: Configure the RDS Deployment to Use the License Server

In Server Manager, go to Remote Desktop Services → Overview

Under Deployment Overview, click Tasks → Edit Deployment Properties

Go to RD Licensing and add your license server

Set the licensing mode to Per User

Click OK to save