WVD Windows Server licensing

Question

Hello!I have been looking into licensing bits of Windows Virtual Desktop solution that runs on Windows Server host pool.&nbsp;What is clear and without any doubt - every user needs RDS CAL with SA Rights (VL +SA / CSP subscription). Yet however when deploying host pool with Windows Server I notice the following:&nbsp;It has been automatically marked during deployment and I had no control over it. When inspected in ARM it corresponds to the following property:&nbsp;"licenseType":&nbsp;"Windows_Client"When looking into Resource Meter usage, it seems to be applying AHB for Server (!):&nbsp;To my best knowledge, Service Tier: "bs series windows" corresponds to Windows Server License PAYG. This is a normal VM that I deployed outside of Host Pool with Server PAYG license applied&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This in turn is standard Host-Pool Windows Server VM, which meters as if it had actual AHB benefit applied(!)&nbsp;Following questions now:&nbsp;1) Is Windows Server license free for Windows Server Host Pools? (I so wish this was the case 😉 )2) If this turns out to be incorrect, all aware customers should set PAYG license model?&nbsp;Really hope for some clarificationsThanks!&nbsp;&nbsp;

maranverweij · Answer

AlexPawlak&nbsp;Correct, OS licensing costs do not apply to WVD session hosts. Most likely part of Microsoft's strategy to promote as-is RDS(H) migrations, when (re)building a Windows 10 Multi-session image is not appropriate. Although I would expect Windows_Server as license type, the end result should be the same (automated auding might one day deem it as strange though, I suppose).&nbsp;&nbsp;"You need an Azure account and subscription to quickly deploy and manage your virtualization environment. These are the Azure components that factor into the price of a Windows Virtual Desktop deployment.Virtual machines and operating system (OS) storageData disk (personal desktop only)User profile storageNetworking"https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-desktop/

alexpawlak · Answer

This is really nice, I wish it was stated somewhere specifically as it would save me a little headache and fear of being non-compliant and utilizing AHUB without having proper license in place

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WVD Windows Server licensing

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