Running the client as an administrator on the first subsequent connection is mandatory. It grants the Remote Desktop client the necessary permissions to recreate the deleted registry keys and successfully request a fresh, valid token from the license server. 2. Terminal Server Client Settings (Host-Side)
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) relies heavily on the Windows Registry to manage Client Access Licenses (CALs). When a user or device connects to an RD Session Host, the server checks for a valid CAL. If licensing issues occur, or if you need to reset a grace period, clear a stuck temporary license, or change your licensing mode, you must modify specific registry keys.
To explicitly point a Session Host to a specific RDS License Server, use this path:
Example (PowerShell view):
Sometimes, Local Group Policies or Active Directory Domain Policies conflict with your RDS registry settings, causing licensing errors. rds cal license registry key
Inside that new subkey, the presence of the key itself instructs the Remote Desktop service to query that specific network endpoint for available CALs. 5. Managing the RDS Grace Period Registry Key
The 120-day grace period is a convenient "hidden feature," but it can become a nightmare if it expires without a proper license server being discovered.
Managing RDS license registry keys manually via regedit is acceptable for single-server setups, but for scaling environments, automation is key.
Managing RDS licensing effectively requires direct access to several specific registry locations that control everything from grace periods to licensing modes. Each key serves a distinct purpose in the licensing ecosystem. Running the client as an administrator on the
The operational configurations for the Remote Desktop service reside here: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermService\Parameters
This registry key tells the RD Session Host whether to look for or Per Device CALs.
When users report "No CALs are installed or issued on this License Server" or the session host suddenly stops allowing logins, the registry is often the culprit.
The actual database location and configuration for the RDS License Server are stored here: To explicitly point a Session Host to a
Organizations may encounter issues with RDS CAL license registry keys, including:
Restart the RD Session Host server. Upon reboot, a new grace period key will generate, resetting the clock back to 120 days. 3. Fixing Client-Side Licensing Errors via MSLicensing
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSLicensing
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermServLicensing\Parameters
Modifying RDS CAL registry keys requires careful adherence to Microsoft licensing terms and safety protocols:
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