Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs missing in partner benefits

[Simon Baer]

As a solution partner we have 100 RDS CALs for Windows Server 2019.

I would like to update our Windows 2019 servers to 2022, however there are no RDS CALs for Server 2022!

What is the reason for this? Are there plans to make them available anytime soon?

[#2]

@Simon Baer  I don't know anything about this, but I have inquired within to see if I can get any info on this. No promises, but I'm trying! 🙂

[#3]

@Simon Baer this guide lists 2022 RDS CALs and mentions that the RDS CALs are not edition specific. So the ones in Partner Center should apply, is that not your understanding?

[#4]

@dchataway unfortunately not. Partner Center lists "Windows Server 2019 and 2022 CALs (not edition specific)" but these are not for RDS. The only RDS licenses I can find are "Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services CALs" and they dont work for Server 2022.

[#5]

We are looking for the same. The Benefit Guide refers to it as "Windows Server Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CALs (not edition-specific)", without any mention of version 2019 or 2022.

I have raised the question with the Partner Support. They pointet out that the CALs included in the benefits are indeed Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services CALs, and agreed on, that the information should be clearer in the licensing table.

But I still don't understand why the benefits only includes RDS CALs for Server 2019, when all the Server licenses included are for 2022. If it is because Microsoft is phasing out RDS CALs as partner benefits, they should just mention it.

[#6]

@Simon Baer 

Windows Server 2022 RDS CALs missing in partner benefits

As a solution partner we have 100 RDS CALs for Windows Server 2019.

I would like to update our Windows 2019 servers to 2022, however there are no RDS CALs for Server 2022!

What is the reason for this? Are there plans to make them available anytime soon?

You should be able to purchase RDS CALs for 2022 here - Windows Remote Desktop Server CAL 2022 (microsoft.com)

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. Otherwise, please let me know if you need further assistance on this topic.

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#7]

As a solution partner we have 100 RDS CALs for Windows Server 2019.

I would like to update our Windows 2019 servers to 2022, however there are no RDS CALs for Server 2022!

What is the reason for this? Are there plans to make them available anytime soon?

[#8]

Thank you for looking into this, @LicensingConcierge1
When I log into partner center and then click on "Benefits" and "Software", I can retrieve activation keys for various software that is provided to Microsoft Partners for free. Thats what I mean by "Benefits".

One entry in this list is called "Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services CALs" and I used this key on our 2019 Remote Desktop Server to activate user CALs that are required so users can work on the server via RDP.

I would like to update our RDS server to Windows Server 2022 but cannot do so because the activation key is only for 2019 CALs and does not work on Server 2022.

Regards,
Simon

[#9]

@Simon Baer 

Thank you for clarifying!

Did the information in my previous reply not answer your question as to how to purchase the RDS CALs for Windows 2022?

If not, please clarify how I can further assist you and I'm more than happy to find the resource/guidance you need. 

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. Otherwise, please let me know if you need further assistance on this topic.

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#10]

@LicensingConcierge1I do not want to PURCHASE anything. We get licenses for Windows Server 2022 for free, so it does not make sense that RDS CALs for Server 2022 are not provided for free as well.

My initial question was if that is on purpose or if Microsoft will include free RDS CALs for Server 2022 in partner benefits anytime soon.

[#11]

@Simon Baer 

Please note that the original post did not mention that you're asking about "free" RDS CALs:

I have done an extensive search and have not found documentation of "free" licenses for Windows Server 2022. 

There is a licensing grace period of 120 Days during which no license server is required. Is this what you mean by "free" licenses?

If so, once the grace period ends, clients must have a valid RDS CAL issued by a license server before they can log on to an RD Session Host server. License your RDS deployment with client access licenses (CALs) | Microsoft Learn

If this 120-day period is not what you're referring to, would you mind letting me know on what basis you've received these "free" licenses please? This way, I am equipped with the required information in the event I need to escalate this issue. 

If this reply answers your question, please Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly. Otherwise, please let me know if you need further assistance on this topic.

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#12]

@LicensingConcierge1 by "free" I mean the licenses that are included in partner benefits. Of course they are not really "free", because we pay a fee to be MIcrosoft partner.
These partner benefits include licenses for Windows Server 2022 but the included RDS CALs are for Server 2019 only.

[#13]

@Simon Baer 

Since the information that I've provided doesn't seem to answer your question and you're asking about Windows Server RDS CALs, I've moved this post to the Windows Server community so that someone better trained can assist. 

Regards,

Microsoft CSP Licensing Concierge

[#14]

So we too had this problem - we are also a Microsoft Partner. I raised a tech support case with Microsoft and on the 3rd try got a response from MS support. After checking our partner status etc, they remoted into our affected 2022 server - checked the RD License Manager settings and eventually assigned us the needed licenses via license key pack ID. So now up and going with Server 2022 CALs.

[#15]

@LicensingConcierge1 Are you using Chat GPT for answering this questions or what would be so difficult to understand?

- Partners qualify for partner benefits and they are FREE!

- Partners use the actual versions, so that customers will follow them. 

- If we get free Windows Server 2022 licenses and Server CALs, it makes no sense to get free RDS 2019 CALs. 

[#16]

Does anyone already have a solution to the problem? Support tickets aren't that fun.

@Bernd_Schneider ,Free may not be understandable to the @LicensingConcierge1, but INCLUDED sounds better!