How do I install and activate RDS CALs for Windows Server 2016?

Install the Remote Desktop Licensing role service and Remote Desktop Session Host by following these steps:

Installing the Remote Desktop Licensing Role.

1. Open the Server Manager: To do this, click on Windows and then Server Manager.

2. Select Manage in the top-right corner and then click Add roles and features.

3. Now, in the Add Roles and Features Wizard, click Next.

4. Choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

5. Now, choose the server that will install the roles and click Next.

6. On the Select server roles page, check the box for Remote Desktop Services and click Next.

7. On the Select features page, check the Remote Server Administration Tools box.

8. Then, click Add Features.

9. Next, click Next.

10. Click Next again.

11. In the following box, check the boxes for Remote Desktop Licensing and Remote Desktop Session Host and click Next.

12. In the next step, under the web server role, click Next.

13. In the Select role services option, click Next.

14. In the following image, tick the box for Automatically restart the server and click Install. Wait for the roles to be installed.

15. After the roles are installed, continue with the next step to use your remote desktop service.

Activating the licensing server

1. Select Tools in the top-right corner, then select Remote Desktop Services and click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

2. Next, right-click on the server and select Activate Server.

3. You'll then see the server activation wizard. Click Next.

4. Select the automatic connection method and click Next.

5. Enter the requested information (first name, last name, region, and company name). Click Next.

6. Enter the company information and click Next.

7. You have completed the licensing server activation. Now you will start installing the licenses. Click Next.

8. You'll receive a reminder of how your server is set up. Click Next.

9. Then, under License Program, select Retail Pack (Box or Preinstalled Product). Click Next.

10. Next, enter the product key for your RDS CALs and click Add.

11. After the license is recognised, click Next.

12. At this point, the license installation wizard will confirm successful installation. Click Finish.

13. Now your licensing server is ready to start issuing and managing licenses. You can check this by selecting the name of your server, where you'll see the available licenses and those that have been issued. In this case, it should be zero.