Set Remote Desktop License Server via Regedit

This guide explains how to manually specify a static Remote Desktop Services (RDS) license server on a Windows machine using the Registry Editor (Regedit). This configuration is particularly useful in workgroup environments, standalone servers, or troubleshooting scenarios where Group Policy Objects (GPO) or Active Directory discovery cannot be utilized.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter (or click OK).
  3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to grant administrative permissions.

Step 2: Navigate to the Terminal Services Policy Key

In the Registry Editor address bar or left navigation pane, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services

Step 3: Specify the Static License Server Address

  1. Right-click on the Terminal Services key folder in the left pane, select New, and then click Multi-String Value.

  2. Name the new value:

    LicenseServers

  3. Double-click the LicenseServers entry to edit its properties.

  4. In the Value data field, enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN), NetBIOS name, or IP address of your RDS license server. If you have multiple license servers, enter each address on a separate line.

  5. Click OK to save.

Step 4: Define the Licensing Mode

To ensure the server requests the correct license type, define the licensing mode in the same registry key:

  1. Right-click inside the empty space of the Terminal Services key, select New, and click DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  2. Name the value:

    LicensingMode

  3. Double-click LicensingMode, set the Base to Decimal, and enter one of the following numbers in the Value data field:

    • 2 – Per Device licensing mode.
    • 4 – Per User licensing mode.

  4. Click OK.

Step 5: Apply the Changes

For the changes to take effect, restart the Remote Desktop Services service or reboot the server:

  1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator.

  2. Run the following command to restart the service:

    net stop TermService && net start TermService

    (Alternatively, restart the operating system).

  3. Verify the configuration by opening RD Licensing Diagnoser (lsdiag.msc) to confirm that the server successfully contacts the specified licensing server.