Installing RDS CAL per user

Question

Hi.

We have bought 127 RDS CALs per user with SA . We have installed in our company windows 2016 server as RDS server, but on the Microsoft Business center I see , that these 127 CALs wchich we bought are for version 2022. Now, can I install those CALs on windows 2016 and choose windows 2016 option ? We dont have an windows 2022 server installed in our company. The rds server on wchich users would like to connect have installed windows 2016 server version.

Answer 1

Yes, you can use the Cals and are backward compatable.
You can't use RDS CALs for earlier versions to access later versions of Windows Server, but you can use later versions of RDS CALs to access earlier versions of Windows Server. For example, an RDS 2016 CAL or higher is required to connect to a Windows Server 2016 RD Session Host, while an RDS 2012 CAL or higher is required to connect to a Windows Server 2012 R2 RD Session Host.
but it looks like you'll need 2022 session host
You must install your RDS CAL on a compatible RD license server. Any RDS license server can host licenses from all previous versions of Remote Desktop Services and the current version of Remote Desktop Services. For example, a Windows Server 2016 RDS license server can host licenses from all previous versions of RDS, while a Windows Server 2012 R2 RDS license server can only host licenses up to Windows Server 2012 R2.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--