How to Remove or Delete all RDS CALs from a Windows Server?

How to Remove or Delete all RDS CALs from a Windows Server

The process for deleting all Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CALs from a Windows Server can be done through a few different methods. The most reliable method is to rebuild the license database. This process is similar across Windows Server 2016, 2019, and 2022.

Warning: Deleting the license database will permanently remove all installed RDS CALs from the server. Ensure you have a record of your CALs (e.g., license agreement, product key) before proceeding.

Method 1: Rebuilding the RDS Licensing Database

This method involves renaming the database file, which forces Windows to create a new, empty database.

  1. Open the Services snap-in (services.msc) or a PowerShell prompt as an administrator.
  2. Stop the Remote Desktop Licensing service. In PowerShell, you can use the command:

    3. Stop-Service TermServLicensing

  3. Navigate to the directory C:\Windows\System32\lserver
  4. Find the file named TLSLic.edb
  5. Rename this file to TLSLic.edb.old or simply delete it.
  6. Start the Remote Desktop Licensing service. In PowerShell, you can use the command:

    7. Start-Service TermServLicensing

  7. All licenses will now be cleared. You will need to reinstall your RDS CALs if you wish to add them back.

Method 2: Using PowerShell to Uninstall Individual CAL Packs

If you only want to remove a specific pack of CALs and not the entire database, you can use PowerShell.

  1. Open a PowerShell prompt as an administrator.
  2. To find the KeyPackId of the licenses you want to remove, run the following command:
    Get-WmiObject Win32_TSLicenseKeyPack | select-objectKeyPackId,ProductVersion,TypeAndModel,AvailableLicenses,IssuedLicenses | ft
  3. Find the KeyPackId of the license pack you want to remove.
  4. Run the following command, replacing Your-KeyPackId with the actual ID you found in the previous step:
    wmic /namespace:\\\\root\\CIMV2 PATH Win32_TSLicenseKeyPack CALL UninstallLicenseKeyPackWithId Your-KeyPackId

This will remove the specific CAL pack from the server.

Method 3: Deactivating the Server

You can also deactivate the entire license server, which will make it unable to issue licenses.

  1. Open Server Manager and navigate to Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.
  2. In the RD Licensing Manager, right-click on the server name and select Advanced > Deactivate Server.
  3. Follow the wizard to complete the deactivation process. This sends a request to the Microsoft Clearinghouse.