The basic response to this is… do not worry about it as Microsoft’s official word on the matter is:

“RDS Per User CALs are not enforced by RD Licensing. As a result, client connections can occur regardless of the number of RDS Per User CALs installed on the license server. This does not absolve administrators from Microsoft Software License Terms requirements to have a valid RDS Per User CAL for each user.”

UPDATE JAN 25 2019 – WARNING: If you are using Server 2012 see RONA’s comments at the bottom of this post.

However, if you really want to delete / revoke the Remote Desktop (RD) licenses:

  1. Start your SERVICES MMC and stop the REMOTE DESKTOP LICENSE SERVICE
  2. Use Explorer to delete ALL of the files in C:\Windows\System32\LServer\
  3. In SERVICES MMC and start the REMOTE DESKTOP LICENSE SERVICE

Notice that all the licenses are now gone from RD License Manager.  Do not worry about this as they will be automatically recreated as your users sign in.

For more information see:

http://fbinotto.blogspot.ca/2013/05/revoking-temporary-rds-licenses.html
and
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/60ad0118-1cf0-4be7-ad9c-1009c6b2812f/server-2012-rds-license-issue?forum=winserverTS


7 Comments

Alexander · July 21, 2022 at 5:17 am

Broking licenses is not related to version, removing the files you remove whole database of issued and installed licences. After that you need to reconfigure licensing servers from a scratch.

Adam · July 28, 2021 at 6:48 am

This also breaks licenses on 2019. Thanks for that.

Royce · January 22, 2019 at 12:17 am

Please remove this page or modify it to include a strong visible disclaimer. Rama’s comments are accurate and important but they are buried under irrelevant links.

    Ian Matthews · January 25, 2019 at 11:55 pm

    We will do just that. Thanks for the thought.

Rama · June 18, 2017 at 12:40 pm

This breaks licenses on 2012, and RDS connections will continue to fail. You will need to rebuild the pool (by reinstalling the license pack).

    Rama · June 18, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    …and in 2012 licenses per user are enforced now 😉

Leave a Reply to Ian Matthews Cancel reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *