MS Access Runtime on terminalserver (RDS-Server)

Question

Hi,

I have a question about the Access Runtime. We habe a Remote Desktop Services server running Windows Server 2016 and MS Office 2016 Standard. For a inhouse-made Access-application it would be nice to make the Access Runtime available to the users. Installation of the version-matching Access Runtime 2016-package would be sufficient to run this application.

But, I found statements in the internet saying that installation of the Access Runtime-package is not allowed on RDS-servers respectively is only allowed if I would have a volume licence for a full version of Access or for Office ProPlus. But this was said by not "official" Microsoft people.

Is that correct? Does somebody know this for sure? In this case, I will not install the Access Runtime on the RDS-server. Thank you for any advice!

Answer 1

Hi Dennis Groppe,

Thanks for your valuable feedback and sharing updates with us and I really appreciate your effort and your precious time doing. 

 And I appreciate your kind words.

Microsoft Access runtime which is free (Engine**)** version of Access on a on a terminal server. There isn't any licensing for Access Runtime on any platform including terminal server (No License required to install on a PC or Terminal Service.).  You can freely deploy Access Runtime. The only licensing cost is for the full version to do the development.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 2

If you don't have full office installed on TS you can install the free runtime which does not require any licenses. There may well be licenses required for Windows Terminal Server, but not for Access runtime.

Answer 3

Hi Dennis Groppe,

I'm writing a follow up this case, may I know have you checked my above reply? Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.

Sincerely, 

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 4

Thank you very much for your answer @Waqas Muhammad!

I'm sorry, I have to ask further again: The Access Runtime doesn't cost licenses when installed on a PC. But on a terminalserver running any Access-application, even with the Access Runtime only, requires licenses? Correct? I don't want to install Access fullversion on the terminalserver, only the Runtime-version.

Answer 5

Dear Dennis Groppe,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, actually terminal server, need to use Volume Licensing.

Access works fine on an RDS Server, but it has to be either from an Office365 subscription that includes Office Pro Plus, or Volume Licensing and all users have to be licensed - the server itself doesn't consume a license. The terminal server requires volume licenses, and therefore the only way to have Microsoft Access available on a terminal server is to have Office Professional Plus volume licenses. 

Note:  Access Runtime is not compatible with Office products installed with Windows Installer. For more information, see Office installed with Click-to-Run and Windows Installer on same computer isn't supported.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely, 

Waqas Muhammad

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