Revoking Per-Device RDS CALs
Understanding the complexities of revoking Client Access Licenses in Windows Server.
Revoking per-device Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access Licenses (CALs) can be a complex and often misunderstood process in a Windows Server environment. The key takeaway is that direct revocation of a single per-device CAL is not always possible or straightforward.
⚠️ The Challenge with Revocation:
You cannot directly revoke an RDS CAL that has been issued. Once a per-device CAL is issued to a client, it is permanently assigned for a set period, typically 52-89 days, before it's automatically renewed upon the next connection. This design prevents administrators from reusing CALs for different devices frequently, which is a violation of the licensing terms.
Method 1: Limited Revocation via RD Licensing Manager
In certain Windows Server versions, it is possible to revoke a small percentage of per-device CALs using the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager console (licmgr.exe).
The General Process:
- Open the RD Licensing Manager:
- On the license server, open Server Manager.
- Go to Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager
- Locate the CALs:
- In the console tree, expand the server and the license pack you want to manage.
- You will see a list of issued licenses, including the devices they are assigned to.
- Revoke the License:
- Right-click the specific device you want to revoke the license from.
- Select Revoke License.
Important Considerations:
- This option is not always available or may be greyed out.
- This method is limited to a small percentage (e.g., 20%) of your total CALs.
- This method works better on older Windows Server versions.
Method 2: The "Wait and Expire" Method
The most reliable and officially sanctioned method for reclaiming a per-device CAL is to simply let it expire.
- When a device no longer connects to the RDS environment, its assigned CAL will not be renewed.
- It will eventually expire, making it available for a new device.
The RDS licensing server automatically manages this process, so no manual intervention is required. This is the intended behaviour and the simplest way to maintain licensing compliance.
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