To see remaining grace period:
WS2019-RDS-001 Version: 1.0 Target Audience: IT Administrators, System Architects, Compliance Officers
Once the server reboots, you can check how many days of the free license remain using the Command Prompt: Open as an Administrator. Run the following command:
The risks include:
The licensing model for Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services (RDS) requires paid Client Access Licenses (CALs) for legal production use. While Microsoft does not provide a permanently free RDS license, the operating system includes built-in evaluation mechanisms and administrative features that allow temporary or limited remote access without additional licensing costs. windows server 2019 remote desktop services license free
If you need temporary access to RDS, you can set up the grace period:
: You only need standard Windows Server CALs, which are usually included with your base server license. Spiceworks Community 3. Lab Environment "Resets" (Non-Production Only)
Without RDS CALs, Windows Server 2019 defaults to the —allowing only two concurrent administrative sessions (used for server management). Once a third user tries to connect, they receive the infamous error:
Many online forums outline a registry trick to reset the 120-day timer by deleting the RCM\GracePeriod registry key. To see remaining grace period: WS2019-RDS-001 Version: 1
Searching for tools to bypass the RDS licensing mechanism or using unofficial registry hacks to reset the grace period poses severe risks to your infrastructure.
Remote Desktop Services allows multiple users to log into a Windows Server simultaneously. To use this feature legally past the evaluation phase, Microsoft requires two types of licenses:
: Allows an unlimited number of concurrent users to connect for testing and configuration without requiring a license server or RDS Client Access Licenses (CALs). Who it’s for
When you do transition to purchasing licenses, choosing the correct type of RDS CAL can drastically lower your overall investment: License Type Best Suited For Cost Efficiency If you need temporary access to RDS, you
Understanding the mechanics of the RDS grace period, the legal limitations of administrative connections, and alternative remote desktop solutions ensures compliant infrastructure management. The 120-Day RDS Evaluation Grace Period
There is no permanent, free shortcut to bypass Microsoft's RDS CAL requirements on Windows Server 2019 for a production environment. However, by leveraging the for deployment testing, utilizing the free 2-user administrative mode for server management, or pivoting to open-source alternatives like Apache Guacamole, you can successfully achieve remote access goals without breaking compliance or budgets.
The Reality: Is There a "Free" Windows Server 2019 RDS License?
For lab environments, you can restart the 120-day grace period by redeploying Windows Server or using registry modification (see Section 4).