Rds Cal License Registry Key
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermServLicensing\Parameters 2. Common Administrative Use Cases for the Registry Keys
Right-click (mstsc.exe) and select Run as administrator .
The Windows registry holds several essential keys that control RDS licensing behavior. Understanding these locations is the first step toward mastering RDS license management.
: Useful in environments where you want to prevent a client from automatically upgrading to a higher version CAL. rds cal license registry key
⚠️ : Resetting the grace period is not a substitute for purchasing and installing proper RDS CALs . This procedure should never be performed on a production server and is intended only for test or development environments.
key can reset the timer. This requires taking ownership of the key and granting "Full Control" permissions to the Administrators group. Resolving Certificate Errors:
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licenses (CALs) are essential for managing authorized user or device connections to a Windows Server Remote Desktop Session Host. Behind the scenes, the licensing server tracks, issues, and validates these certificates using specific keys within the Windows Registry.
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A common administrative task involving the registry is resetting the . When a Remote Desktop Session Host is activated, it enters a grace period (usually 120 days) before it requires CALs. If this period expires and you are troubleshooting license installation, you may need to reset this timer.
While not a direct registry key, the Win32_TSLicenseKeyPack WMI class stores information about installed CAL packs. This can be queried using PowerShell to enumerate installed licenses:
This path contains the active licensing state, including grace periods and certificate data. Licensing Service Parameters:
Restart-Service -Name TermService
The primary registry keys associated with RDS CAL (Client Access License)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermService\Parameters\License
Right-click the key, select , and click Advanced . Change the Owner to the local Administrators group.