This is a common problem that a number of users have faced worldwide. When a user uses his/her system as an administrator and also uses RDS (Remote Desktop Services), at a point, he/she encounters the Remote Desktop licensing mode is not configured issue message, while using Windows Server 2012 R2 or 2016 or 2019.

If you’re one of them, there’s nothing to worry about. This common problem has some quick, easy, and effective solutions that’ll help you to get rid of it, such as changing the value data of LicensingMode, temporarily disabling your firewall, etc.

So, without any more delay, let’s get into them, shall we?

Why Does the ‘Remote Desktop Licensing Mode Is Not Configured’ Issue Appear?

Before stepping into the solutions, it’ll be wise to know about the cause of this issue. This way you can understand the factors behind occurring this issue and how the solutions will work.

Basically, while using RDS without a license, Microsoft offers a grace / probation period of 120 days. And when you see this pop-up message describing this issue, you’ll notice there’s a number that represents the remaining days before the RDS stops working.

So, it’s clear that it’s just a reminder notification that reminds you to buy the license to let the service exceed the grace period. This is only a frequent notification and it won’t stop you from accessing RDS.

To diagnose the issue further, you can make use of the RD Licensing Diagnoser tool. To open this, search for Windows Administrative Tools in the Windows search bar. Get into the Remote Desktop Services and open RD Licensing Diagnoser. Then, you‘ll see the following message –

As you can see, since the licensing mode is not configured, there isn’t any license available. You can also double-check this using a PowerShell cmdlet. First, open the Windows PowerShell from the search bar 

and execute the following command –

$object = gwmi -namespace “Root/CIMV2/TerminalServices” Win32_TerminalServiceSetting

$object.GetSpecifiedLicenseServerList()

How to Solve the ‘Remote Desktop Licensing Mode Is Not Configured’ Issue?

Now that you’ve got the concept of the reason behind this issue, it’s time to apply the relevant solutions for it.

Solution 1: Execute PowerShell Cmdlet

This is the simplest way to configure the licenses is doing so with Windows PowerShell. Just open it and execute the following cmdlet –

$object.SetSpecifiedLicenseServerList(“us-srcserver1.techgenix.com”)

Solution 2: Change LicensingMode Value Data

To make this happen, first of all, you need to open the Windows Registry. So –

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run window. 

Step 2: Then type regedit and go for it.

Step 3: Now, copy and paste the following path to navigate –

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\Licensing Core

Step 4: Now, double-click on LicensingMode on the right pane to set the value data.

• To configure the RD licensing mode as Per User, set the Value data to 4.

• To configure the RD licensing mode as Per Device, set the Value data to 2.

Step 5: Finally, to save the changes, click OK.

Solution 3: Use Local Group Policy Editor

If your RDS server isn’t connected to the Active Directory domain anyway, you can configure licensing mode using the Local Group Policy Editor. Therefore –

Step 1: Open the Run window.

Step 2: Next, type gpedit.msc to open the Policy Editor.

Step 3: Then navigate through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.

Step 4: Now, double-click on Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers. Under the License servers to use, choose Enabled, and provide the license server name (IP address or host name).

Step 5: After that, enable the Set Remote Desktop licensing Mode, and choose Per Device or Per User according to your need, under the Specify the licensing mode for the RD session host server.

Step 5: Lastly, save the changes and restart your PC.

Solution 4: Disable Firewall, Open TCP and UDP Ports

Sometimes the problem is with the firewall and it prevents you from accessing the remote system by blocking the requests. Whether this is the reason in your case or not, verify this by disabling the firewall for a short period and try reconnecting. But the thing is this is only a temporary solution.

To solve the matter permanently, open the following ports –

TCP: 135, 137, 139, and others within the RPC range

UDP: 137 and 138 

Solution 5: Check the RDS CAL Compatibility

For your information, the RDS CAL license doesn’t support older version Windows Servers. Therefore, check if the license is compatible with your current Windows Server. So, you should buy a CAL that’s compatible with your server version, or upgrade your system, when your CAL has the latest version than your server.

Sometimes, when the CAL is wrong for your RDS environment, this issue happens. Usually, you’re capable of using any of the Per Device and Per User CALs. But you’re recommended to use the Per Device Cals while using only workgroup servers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is remote desktop licensing mode? 

Concerning the remote desktop for administration, this license mode offers a maximum of two administrative sessions. Here, the local console session is also included. Users can run both administrative sessions at a time on their Windows server with this license mode.

What to do if no remote desktop server licenses are available? 

When you need to use one Remote Desktop license server and this is the situation, first and foremost, you need to install a Remote Desktop Licensing role service. After that, configure the RDS licensing.

How do I install the remote desktop licensing role? 

To install the Remote Desktop licensing role, start by signing into the server that you prefer to utilize as the license server (do this with the administrator account). Then click Roles Summary and next Add Roles in the Server Manager. Now, on the roles wizard’s first page, click Next. Finally, choose Remote Desktop Service and finalize it. 

Conclusion

This is all about the Remote Desktop licensing mode non-configured issue including the cause and solutions. As you’ve read this far, hopefully now you understand the entire concept of this topic. Apply the solutions until the issue gets resolved. Let us know if you find this post useful and if so, which solution works for you.