In this post, we will show you how to activate the Remote Desktop Licensing Server (terminal server) and how to install Remote Desktop licenses.
Remember that if you need a Windows Server with Remote Desktop licenses, you can purchase it on Clouding.
Information
If you are using Windows 2019 or later, remember that the Terminal Server must be within a domain controller or be a domain controller; otherwise, you will receive a warning that the session will disconnect after 60 minutes.
Deactivating Licenses
Important
To deactivate these licenses purchased through Clouding, you must do so manually by contacting us via email and providing the Server ID, server IP, or name, and the number of licenses to deactivate. After making the request and receiving confirmation from us, you must then uninstall the licenses following this tutorial's instructions.
Installing the Remote Desktop License Manager
If your server already has the "Remote Desktop License Manager" installed, you can skip this step. To install it, go to “Start>Server Manager” (Server Manager). In the window that opens, click on the top right at “Manage>Add Roles and Features.” Click “Next” until you reach “Server Roles.” There, enable “Remote Desktop Services”:
Click “Next” until you reach “Role Services,” and then enable “Remote Desktop Licensing” and “Remote Desktop Session Host”:
Click “Next” until the installation is complete. Once finished, restart the server to make the options available in the Start menu.
Activating the Remote Desktop License Manager
Now, go to “Start>Administrative Tools>Remote Desktop Services>Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.” In the window that appears, right-click on the server name and select “Activate Server”:
In the next window, click “Next,” and in "Connection Method," change to “Web Browser”:
Then, click “Next.” Copy the “Product ID” and go to Microsoft's website: https://activate.microsoft.com/. Select the option “Activate a License Server”:
Fill in the Product ID, your company's name, and country in the following window:
In the next window, you will see a summary. Click “Next,” and you will receive a “Server ID.” Copy it and paste it into the “License Server Activation” window:
Click "Next," and your license server is now activated. You must now contact us to receive the Remote Desktop licenses.
Important
Remember to send a support ticket with the following information listed below so that we can generate the "License Key ID" that you will need to continue with the tutorial. To generate the user licenses, we need the following information:
- Server ID
- Windows Server Version
- Number of Users
Installing Remote Desktop Licenses
Now, go to “Start>Administrative Tools>Remote Desktop Services>Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.” In the window that appears, right-click on the server name and click on “Install Licenses” (Services Provider License Agreement), then click “Next.” In the next window, enter the “License ID” provided by Clouding:
Once you’ve entered the “License ID,” click “Next,” and the license will be installed. You should see something like this:
Configuring Remote Desktop Session Host
To configure Remote Desktop Session Host, use Group Policy Setting. Run: gpedit.msc. In the window that opens, navigate to “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.” Once there, configure the following:
- Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers: Set to “Enabled,” and under "License Servers to use," enter “127.0.0.1.”
- Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode: Set to “Enabled” and under “Specify the licensing mode…,” choose “Per User.”
Next, go to "Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Right Assignment," then to "Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services" (in Spanish: "Configuración del equipo > Configuración de Windows > Directivas locales > Asignación de derechos de usuario" "Permitir inicio de sesión a través de Servicios de Escritorio remoto"). Edit the policy and add the user group "Remote Desktop Users" if it’s not already added by default:
Creating New Users
Open Server Manager and click on Tools > Computer Management. In the window that opens, navigate to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users, and create a new user under View > New User… (if using Active Directory, the equivalent console is Active Directory Users and Computers):
You need to disable the “User must change password at next logon” option. Once the user is created, right-click and select Properties. Go to the Member Of tab and then click Add. Add the user to the Remote Desktop Users group:
Finally, go to the Dial-In tab and change the Network Access Permission setting to Allow Access: