Remote Desktop Server License Jun 2026

✅ For most businesses with standard office workers, Per User is simpler to manage. For manufacturing floors, labs, or hot-desking, Per Device may be more cost-effective.

| Component | Purpose | |-----------|---------| | | Licenses the operating system installed on the physical or virtual server. | | RDS CAL (per user or per device) | Grants the right for a user or device to access an RDS environment. | | RD Licensing Server | A role installed on a Windows Server to install, issue, and track RDS CALs. |

⚠️ RDS CALs are separate from Windows Server CALs. Even if you have Windows Server User CALs, you still need RDS CALs for remote desktop sessions.

A , commonly known as a Remote Desktop Services Client Access License (RDS CAL) , is a mandatory legal requirement for any user or device connecting to a Windows Server to access a remote desktop or virtualized applications.

: This license is assigned to a specific user in Active Directory. It allows that individual to connect from any number of devices (laptop, home PC, tablet).