Buy Microsoft RDS CALs for Windows Server 2016

Legacy environment
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 RDS CALs
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RDS CAL calculator Estimate whether User CALs or Device CALs are the better fit for your RDS setup.

Enter user and device counts to compare the lowest-cost User CAL and Device CAL pack combinations.

Your selection Server 2016 · Per Device CALs · 1 RDS CAL
Total $49.99
15 Minute Digital Delivery
Number of packs
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Every order includes

Three things, on every order, with no exceptions.

Email delivery in 15 minutes

Your 2016 RDS CAL license document (PDF), setup guidance, a video installation guide, and invoice are emailed within 15 minutes of checkout, day or night.

60-day 100% money-back

If a delivery, access, installation, or licensing issue cannot be resolved by our support team, we provide a 100% moneyback refund.

Free User ↔ Device swap

Picked the wrong CAL type? Swap between User and Device free from your Order Summary within 60 days, or contact us for help.

Packs of 1 to 50
Standard packs: 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CALs
2016
For existing Windows Server 2016 hosts
User / Device
User for people, Device for shared machines

Need above 50 CALs? Contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Something not answered here? Check our detailed FAQ page.

01 Is the Windows Server 2016 operating system included?

No. An RDS CAL is an access license for Remote Desktop Services. It does not include the Windows Server 2016 operating system.

02 What if I need help installing the RDS CALs?

Help is available at every stage — our team stays with you through licensing, activation, and hands-on setup and installation if you need it.

03 Can I use these CALs in any country?

Yes. These RDS CALs can be deployed on Windows Servers located anywhere in the world, on-premises or in the cloud.

04 Will these licenses expire or require renewal?

No. These are perpetual RDS CALs and do not require monthly or annual renewal. Once purchased, the licenses remain valid for the supported lifetime of the Windows Server RDS version they are purchased for, including eligible downgrade use.

05 Can I use the same CALs if I reinstall or upgrade the server?

Yes. Your RDS CALs can be reactivated after a server reinstall, and moved to another server when you replace or upgrade your hardware. To remain compliant, the original server must be fully decommissioned or wiped before the licenses are activated on the new deployment.

For standard Windows Server 2016 environments

If it runs a supported Windows Server 2016 OS with the Remote Desktop Services role, these CALs apply — wherever the server lives.

Physical or virtual hosts

Bare metal or Hyper-V running Windows Server 2016, in an Active Directory domain or a workgroup. The most common RDS deployment.

Most common
Hosting providers

A dedicated server, VPS or collocated host running Windows Server 2016.

Dedicated / VPS
Azure and other clouds

Azure, Google Cloud, AWS or any other platform running Windows Server 2016.

Any cloud

2016 User CALs or 2016 Device CALs

Same price, different licensing model — pick by how your people connect.

Windows Server 2016 RDS User CALs Licensed to people. Follows them across every device they sign in from.
Licensed per
One named user, on any number of devices
Active Directory
Not required — works in a Workgroup too
Best when
Employees connect from a laptop, a desktop and a phone
Access belongs to
The person
Windows Server 2016 RDS Device CALs Licensed to hardware. Covers everyone who sits down at that machine.
Licensed per
One device, used by any number of people
Active Directory
Not required — works in a Workgroup too
Best when
Several people share a fixed terminal or shop-floor PC
Access belongs to
The machine

Not sure which fits? The calculator sizes an order in about a minute.

Licensed for Windows Server 2016

2016 is the oldest supported release, so these CALs license it alone.

You buy 2016 Windows Server 2016 RDS CALs For existing Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop Services hosts.

Planning to move to a newer server? Buy CALs for the version you are moving to — a newer CAL covers your 2016 host under downgrade rights, so you do not repurchase after the upgrade.

Customer Reviews

Accurately described, quickly delivered. Installed per the included instructions and worked well.

Ron Gooding
Server 2016 — 10 Device CALs

Email arrived quickly, and the price was very good for these licenses. Happy with this purchase, as with previous ones.

Rollin Kuhn
Server 2016 — 20 User CALs

Get your 2016 remote users online now.

Need a different server version RDS CALs? 2025 2022 2019
Delivery Within 15 minutes, day or night
Refund 60 days, 100% money-back
Swap User ↔ Device, free