Windows 2025 Server CAL (CLIENT ACCESS LICENSE)

Question

Do the Windows 2025 Server CALs (CLIENT or DEVICE ACCESS LICENSE, NOT REMOTE DESKTOP LICENSE) have be somehow activated on the new Windows 2025 Server or do I just have to have the documentation that these were acquired like for example on the volume licensing certificate? This server will be a domain controller.

Answer 1

Hello,

If you have purchased a volume licensing agreement for Windows Server 2025, such as an Enterprise Agreement or Open License agreement, you typically do not need to manually activate CALs on the server. Instead, you'll want to make sure you have legal license agreement documentation that proves that you have the right to use those licenses. You will need to manage your licenses as required by the license agreement, which typically includes the license agreement number, proof of purchase, etc.

When Windows Server 2025 is the domain controller, CALs are managed in a similar way to a normal server. You need to assign the appropriate CALs to each user or device that accesses the server resources. If you have Remote Desktop Services (RDS) in your environment, you'll need an additional RDS CAL.

I hope this information helps.

Best regards,

Jingjing Wu

Answer 2

Thank you for your reply and clarification.

I'm familiar with the RDS server manager which then communicates with Microsoft and activates the RDS licenses.

What is the process of "activation" or "assigning" the User Client Access CALs on the Windows Server 2025? Can you provide instructions?