In This Article


Overview

This article covers the installation process for Evolve IP customer's who have purchased Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) subscription client access licenses (CALs) via Microsoft's Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program.

IMPORTANT

Please note the following:

  • The RDS license keys must be installed/activated on an RDS License Server running Windows Server 2022.
  • The RDS license key is a MAK key.  KMS keys are not supported.
  • Once a license key is installed it cannot be used again on any other RDS License Server including the same RDS License Server.
  • Remote Desktop Service (RDS) 2022 CALs are compatible with Windows RDS Session Hosts running Windows Server 2016 or above:

More info in Microsoft's License Your RDS Deployment article.


Requirements

  • A Global Administrator user account in your 365 tenant
  • A user account with the permissions to install RDS license CALs on your RDS License Server
  • The RDS License Server must be installed on Windows Server 2022.
  • The RDS License Server must be in Automatic Internet Connection mode, and have access to the Internet to activate the license key(s)


Remote Desktop Services (RDS) License Key Activation

Sign into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center with a Global Admin user account:  https://admin.microsoft.com

Browse to:  Billing > Your Products


In the Software section, click on the Windows Server Remote Desktop Services product


From the Product Version drop-down menu, choose the RDS product that aligns with your RDS Server environment

Click:  Show Activation Keys


In the right-side fly out window, click:  Copy Key to Clipboard


Sign into your RDS Licensing Server

Launch: Licmgr.exe and expand the All Servers tree to view your RDS License Servers


Select the server name from the tree

Right-click on the server name then select Install Licenses


Click Next


From the License Program drop-down menu, select License Pack (Retail Purchase)

Click Next


Paste your license key into the License Code input boxes and then click Add

NOTE

Once a license key is installed it cannot be used again on any other RDS License Server including the same RDS License Server.

After clicking Next in the below step, the retail license codes are sent to Microsoft's clearing house website where they are validated.  This should only take a few seconds when the RDS Licensing server is in “automatic internet connection” mode.

Click Next


Click Finish to complete the process.







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