Renew RDS CAL Licenses for 120 Days

Important Note

Before proceeding, please be aware that this method is a temporary workaround and should not replace proper license management practices. Always ensure that you comply with Microsoft's licensing terms and conditions.

Prerequisites

• Administrator access to the RDS server.
• A backup of the registry (to revert any changes if needed).
• Familiarity with Windows Registry Editor.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Backup the Registry

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. In the Registry Editor, click on File and then Export.
3. Choose a location to save the backup and provide a name for the backup file.
4. Click Save to create the backup.

Step 2: Stop the Remote Desktop Licensing Service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter to open the Services Manager.
2. Scroll down to find Remote Desktop Licensing or Remote Desktop Services.
3. Right-click on the service and select Stop.

Step 3: Grant your ID access to GracePeriod and delete the Key from your registry editor:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\GracePeriod

Step 4: Restart the Remote Desktop Licensing Service

1. Go back to the Services Manager.
2. Right-click on Remote Desktop Licensing or Remote Desktop Services.
3. Select Start to restart the service.

Step 5: Reboot the Server

1. Save any open files and close all applications.
2. Reboot the server to apply the changes.

Step 6: Verify the Renewal

1. After the server restarts, open a command prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    

wmic /namespace:\\root\CIMV2\TerminalServices PATH Win32_TerminalServiceSetting WHERE (__CLASS !="") CALL GetGracePeriodDays

Conclusion

Renewing RDS CAL licences by deleting registry entries is a temporary solution that can help extend your licencing period for 120 days. Remember, this is not a permanent fix, and you should plan to acquire proper licenses to ensure compliance with Microsoft's licensing policies. Regularly check your licensing status and renew your CALs accordingly to avoid any disruptions in your Remote Desktop Services.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to reach out.

Stay compliant and ensure your business operations continue smoothly!

-- Santosh Patkar