It is strictly limited to two concurrent sessions at a time. Cost: Free, no additional CALs required.
Understanding these options will help you make informed decisions about your Windows Server 2019 RDS deployment—whether you're staying within the free administrative sessions, taking advantage of temporary evaluation periods, or investing in the proper licenses for long-term production use.
For production deployments requiring more than two concurrent remote desktop users, purchasing the appropriate RDS CALs is the only compliant, supported approach. The cost, while not trivial, should be weighed against the value of reliable, supported remote access for your users and the legal and operational risks of license non-compliance.
: The grace period begins automatically the moment the first remote connection is made to the session host.
Go to > Remote Desktop Services > RD Licensing Diagnoser . Configure Licensing Mode (via Group Policy) windows server 2019 remote desktop services license free
: Choose the Quick Start or Standard deployment to configure the Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH).
Trying to hack a "free" license is like saving $150 on a CAL but risking a $15,000 fine and a compromised network. It is never worth it.
The short answer is: While Microsoft includes basic remote administration tools for free, a production multi-user RDS environment requires specific licenses.
: An open-source Remote Desktop Protocol server for Linux that allows Windows RDP clients to connect directly to Linux desktops. 3. Affordable Commercial Add-ons It is strictly limited to two concurrent sessions at a time
Every Windows Server 2019 installation inherently includes .
Some community guides suggest deleting registry keys (like GracePeriod in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM ) to reset the 120-day clock. Note: This is generally considered a violation of Microsoft's Terms of Service for production environments.
A separate and distinct feature often confused with RDS licensing is the inherent capability of Windows Server 2019 to allow without any CALs. These two sessions are intended for server management tasks.
Requires Windows Server CALs AND RDS CALs (either Per User or Per Device). Go to > Remote Desktop Services > RD Licensing Diagnoser
Only two users can connect at once, and they must be members of the Administrators group. 2. RDS Evaluation Grace Period (120 Days)
Many users search for "unlimited RDS users for free," hoping to bypass licensing. It is not possible to legally achieve this. The 120-day grace period provides unlimited concurrent connections, but it is strictly a temporary trial. Once expired, you must purchase a CAL for each unique user or device. The only way to provide a permanent remote desktop service without paying for RDS CALs is to use an alternative third-party solution, which may have its own licensing costs or usage limitations.
Here's where the concept of "free" becomes more interesting. Microsoft provides a for Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server 2019.