Do I need to buy Client Access License (CAL) if my client PCs merely use domain service of the Windows Server 2022 (i.e. do wee need any CAL for user/device who are joining DC?)

Question

Dear Friends, Do I need to buy Client Access License (CAL) if my client PCs merely use domain service of the Windows Server 2022 (i.e. do we need any CAL for user/device who are joining DC?) Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi @Amit •

you don’t need to buy a CAL license to join computer to domain. CAL license is required only for specific services like Remote Desktop.

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Answer 2

Hello,

There are opposite answers online. But based on below 3 links:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/328793/do-i-really-need-cal-license-do-active-direcory

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2110203-do-i-need-cal-for-domain-controller

https://serverfault.com/questions/889968/are-cal-licenses-necessary-for-this

If your client PCs are merely using domain services from a Windows Server 2022 (such as joining the domain), you do need CALs.

Information below may be some help:

CALs: Each user or device that accesses licensed servers requires a Windows Server CAL (Base CAL). Each user or device that accesses advanced functionality on the licensed server requires the CAL associated with that functionality (Additive CAL). Additive CALs must be licensed in addition to the corresponding Base CALs for access to advanced functionality

you may view Licensing Resources and Documents here: https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs/view/Windows-Server

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