How to activate the Windows Remote Desktop Service (RDS) Role and configure the session host

When is the RDS role needed?

The default server setting is RDP Admin mode, which allows single sessions with the appropriate privileges. If there is only one user, then additional RDS (Remote Desktop Service) licenses are not required.

If multiple users need to connect to the server simultaneously, each user needs a Remote Desktop Server Client Access License (RDS CAL) added to the license manager, with the session host configured to use that license manager.

Note: If this is not done, the RDS will go into Evaluation Mode, which will expire after 120 days, effectively locking users out. An error message ‘Remote Desktop licensing mode is not configured‘ will be displayed.

How to add Remote Desktop Service (RDS) licenses to a Windows server:



  • 2. Install Remote Desktop Services Role

    1. On your license server go to Server Manager → Add roles and features 

    2. Before You Begin: Click Next

    3. Installation Type: Click Next

    4. Select your server from the server pool, click Next.

    5. Server Roles: Select Remote Desktop Services, click Next.

    6. Features: Click Next

    7. Select role services:

    • Select Remote Desktop Licensing
    • Click Add Feature on the pop-up message
    • Select Remote Desktop Session Host
    • Click Add Feature on the pop-up message

    8. Tick Restart the destination server automatically if required

    • Click Install
    • Click Yes on the warning message

    9. Wait for the installation to complete and for your server to reboot





  • 3. Configure the Session Host

    1. Click on the Windows home icon

    • Run a search for gpedit.msc, right click on the icon and select Run as administrator

    2. In the Local Group Policy Editor select

    • Administrative Templates
    • Windows Components
    • Remote Desktop Services
    • Remote Desktop Session Host
    • Licensing 

    3. Double click on Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers

    4. Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers:

    • Select Enabled
    • Insert the server IP address in License servers to use. (NB. This step assumes that you will be setting up a license manager on this server)
    • Press Apply and then OK
    • Double click on the Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode
    • For Windows 2016: Set to Enabled, Select Per User
    • Press Apply and OK
    • For Windows 2019 & 2022: Set to Enabled, Select Per User (domain setup)/ Select Per device (if a workgroup server)
    • Press Apply and OK

    5. Close all open windows, click on the Windows icon, select Windows PowerShell

    6. Type in gpupdate /force and enter. The message should read “Computer Policy update has completed successfully. “



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