How do I allow more users to connect with Remote Desktop?

[Edge100x]

Each Windows license allows for two users to connect in order to perform system administrative tasks. Beyond this number, you will need to install the "Remote Desktop Services" role through the Server Manager, including the "Remote Desktop Session Host" service and the "Remote Desktop Licensing" service. When activating the Remote Desktop Licensing service, you should use "Per user" licensing mode.

There is a cost associated with each added user. Microsoft requires that each user beyond the first two administrators have both a corresponding "Windows Server 2022 CAL" (the "base" CAL) and a "Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop Services CAL" (the "additive" CAL). These have Windows Server 2022 in the name, but they also apply to earlier versions of Windows. Currently Microsoft charges $202 per user of the additive CAL when purchased through the Microsoft store.

Base CALs are used entirely on the honor system and do not need to be installed. Note that they are subject to audit later, if Microsoft chooses to look more carefully at your organization's license use.

Additive CALs are installed using the RDP licensing server. They may be tracked and enforced by the licensing server, though it should also allow clients to connect when licenses are unavailable, in violation of the user agreement.

CAL licensing can be confusing to understand. Microsoft has more information on CALs in a number of places:
http://spur.microsoft.com
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/abou ... cense.aspx
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windo ... ss-license

[Edge100x]

If you try to connect to the server and you see this error:

The remote session was disconnected because there are no Remote Desktop License Servers available to provide a license.

Then you may have a misconfigured license server. Check the following.

1. Install the license server.
   1. Open the "RD Licensing Manager" by searching for it from the Start menu, or by using the Server manager, clicking Remote Desktop Services, then Servers, right-clicking on the top server, and choosing "RD Licensing Manager".
   2. Click Action->Activate Server.
   3. Go through the screens and enter appropriate information in the fields to activate your server with Microsoft over the internet. Some fields (your name and company name) are required; many, such as the email address, are not.
2. Change Group Policy settings to use the local license server.
   1. Open the Group Policy editor by entering gpedit.msc into the start menu or Start->Run.
   2. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services-> Remote Desktop Session Host -> Licensing
   3. Double-click "Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers". Select the "Enabled" radio button. Under "License servers to use:", enter "localhost" into the field. Click OK.
   4. Double-click "Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode". Select the "Enabled" radio button. Under "Specify the licensing mode for the RD Session Host server", choose "Per User". Click OK.
   5. Close the Group Policy Editor.
   6. From a command prompt (Right click Start->choose Run->enter "cmd.exe" and hit enter), enter the command "gpupdate /force" to make sure that your settings are implemented.
3. Restart RDP services.
   1. From the start menu, click Services.
   2. Scroll down to the options starting with "Remote". Restart everything that starts with "Remote Desktop" except for "Remote Desktop Services" itself, by right-clicking and selecting "Restart".
   3. Restart the "Remote Desktop Services" service itself, in the same manner.

After performing these steps, you should be able to connect remotely to the server again, and you can install licenses through the Remote Desktop Licensing Server as needed. In "Per User" mode, Microsoft should allow users to connect normally in the interim, as it does not enforce the license limit.