Noob needs help with RDP Services

The root cause

You’re seeing the “Remote Desktop Licensing Mode is not configured” message because:

The RDS deployment wizard expects a domain-joined environment with an RD Connection Broker role,

But your server is stand-alone (workgroup), so that central role doesn’t exist.

Server Manager therefore blocks RDS configuration through the GUI when you log on with a local account.

The correct approach for a single, workgroup RDS host

You can still activate licensing and remove the warning by using PowerShell or Local Group Policy.

Option 1: Configure via Group Policy

On the same 2019 server:

Open gpedit.msc

Go to

Computer Configuration →
Administrative Templates →
Windows Components →
Remote Desktop Services →
Remote Desktop Session Host →
Licensing

Enable these two settings:

Use the specified Remote Desktop licensing mode → set to Per User or Per Device (depending on your CAL type).

Specify the Remote Desktop license servers → enter the server’s own name, e.g.

localhost

Close the editor and run:

gpupdate /force

Reboot the server.

Option 2: Configure directly with PowerShell
# Replace mode with 2 for Per User, 4 for Per Device
$obj = gwmi -namespace "Root/CIMV2/TerminalServices" Win32_TerminalServiceSetting
$obj.ChangeMode(2)
$obj.SetSpecifiedLicenseServerList("localhost")

Then verify:

$obj.GetSpecifiedLicenseServerList()

What about your existing licenses?

You do not need to remove or reinstall the RD Licensing role — your licenses stay safe in the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager (licmgr.exe).
Just make sure the Remote Desktop Licensing service is running and the mode matches your CAL type.

Summary

Keep the RD Licensing role — don’t uninstall it.

Set the licensing mode and server via Group Policy or PowerShell.

Reboot and confirm the warning disappears in Server Manager → Remote Desktop Services → Overview.

Workgroup setups don’t need an RD Connection Broker; everything runs on one host.