This key controls the operational parameters of the licensing service, including the path to the TLSLic.edb database file where all issued CALs are tracked. 2. The Session Host Licensing Configuration
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\Computers" -Name "LicenseServers" -Force New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\Computers\LicenseServers" -Name "SpecifiedLicenseServers" -PropertyType MultiString -Value "licsrvr.yourdomain.local" Use code with caution. Summary Configuration Reference Table Target Path Recommended Value ...\RCM\Licensing Core LicensingMode REG_DWORD 2 (Device) or 4 (User) Target License Server ...\Computers\LicenseServers SpecifiedLicenseServers REG_MULTI_SZ FQDN of License Server Reset Grace Clock ...\RCM\GracePeriod
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM rds cal license registry key
| Task | Safer Alternative | |------|------------------| | Change license server | Remote Desktop Licensing Manager → Right-click server → | | Reset grace period | Reinstall the RDS role (not practical, but cleaner) | | Remove stale license server | Use licmgr.exe → Delete server from All License Servers list | | Fix CAL issuance | Run wmic to reissue licenses: wmic /namespace:\\root\cimv2\terminalservices path win32_tsissuedlicense get * |
To help me tailor any specific troubleshooting steps, tell me: This key controls the operational parameters of the
Before diving into the technical details, it's important to understand what the registry stores. In a properly configured RDS deployment, a license server is required to issue RDS Client Access Licenses (CALs) to users or devices. The registry is where Windows Server stores these essential license configurations, determines which licensing mode is active, and tracks the all-important 120-day grace period.
This is where the active licensing mode is stored. It houses a value named LicensingMode . This value dictates how the RDS server hands out licenses to connecting clients. This is where the active licensing mode is stored
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermServLicensing\Parameters
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\Licensing Core Value Name LicensingMode Data Values Per Device Specified License Servers
Microsoft provides a built-in 120-day grace period during which an RDS Session Host can accept client connections without a validated License Server. Once this grace period expires, connections are blocked until a valid license server is configured. The GracePeriod Key