GPO tool

Group Policy made searchable

A free ADMX browser or comparison tool for IT administrators. Search policies, find registry keys, and see exactly what each setting writes to the Windows Registry. Or compare two GPO backups to see exactly what has changed between them.

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Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode

This policy setting allows you to specify the type of Remote Desktop Services client access license (RDS CAL) that is required to connect to this RD Session Host server.

You can use this policy setting to select one of two licensing modes: Per User or Per Device.

Per User licensing mode requires that each user account connecting to this RD Session Host server have an RDS Per User CAL issued from an RD Licensing server.

Per Device licensing mode requires that each device connecting to this RD Session Host server have an RDS Per Device CAL issued from an RD Licensing server.

If you enable this policy setting, the Remote Desktop licensing mode that you specify is honored by the Remote Desktop license server and RD Session Host.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the licensing mode is not specified at the Group Policy level.

Note: AAD Per User mode is deprecated on Windows 11 and above.

Registry Information

VendorMicrosoft
ProductTerminal Server
CategoryRemote Desktop Services › Remote Desktop Session Host › Licensing
Applies toComputer Configuration
Supported onAt least Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1
Registry Key[HKLM]SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows NTTerminal Services

Policy Settings

Specify the licensing mode for the RD Session Host server.

Registry Key[HKLM]SOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows NTTerminal Services
Value NameLicensingMode
TypeREG_DWORD
Values
  • Per Device (2)
  • Per User (4)
  • AAD Per User (6)