Device CAL for Windows Server 2025 Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

With Remote Desktop Services (RDS) — one of the advanced multi-layered features of Windows Server 2025 — you can access graphical desktops and Windows applications remotely. However, Client Access Licenses (CALs) are essential for connecting to a Remote Desktop Session Host. When you purchase a Windows Server 2025 Remote Desktop Services Device CAL from License Center, you authorize a specific device to establish remote connections. The licensed device can be used by any number of users. This makes Device CALs the perfect choice for environments where multiple users share the same PC, such as in shift work scenarios. By centralizing applications on a server, hardware upgrades for client devices become unnecessary — even for performance-intensive software — since only the server’s performance matters. This can lead to significant cost savings across your organization.

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What Are the Benefits of the Latest Version?

Windows Server 2025 RDS is the latest evolution of Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services, offering several improvements over previous versions:

• Simplified license management for administrators.
• Forward compatibility with future Windows Server releases.
• Enhanced security with better virtual machine isolation.
• Optimized Windows Defender integration for RDS environments.
• Single Sign-On (SSO) for improved security and convenience.
• Data encryption for safer remote sessions.
• New techniques for graphics-intensive processing reduce network load and improve performance.

These advancements make Windows Server 2025 RDS more secure, efficient, and user-friendly than ever before.

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Microsoft’s Remote Desktop CAL Licensing Model

Using Windows Server requires more than just licensing the operating system itself. Each user or device accessing the server must also have a valid Client Access License (CAL). This requirement extends to Remote Desktop Services. Microsoft offers two primary CAL models for RDS:

• Device CAL: Licenses each physical device, regardless of how many users access it. Ideal for shared environments such as workstations used in shifts.
• User CAL: Licenses each user, allowing them to access RDS from multiple devices — perfect for employees with personal and work devices.

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Windows Server 2025 RDS User CAL vs. Device CAL

In some organizations, employees use multiple devices — desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, or smartphones — to access corporate servers. In these cases, the Windows Server 2025 RDS User CAL may be more suitable, as it licenses the user rather than each device. On the other hand, when multiple employees share the same workstation at different times (e.g., in factories, call centers, or hospitals), the Device CAL offers a cost-effective solution by allowing unlimited users to connect from a single licensed machine.

“Choose the CAL model that best fits your business structure — User CALs for flexibility, or Device CALs for shared environments. Either way, License Center ensures you receive genuine, affordable licenses with complete support.”

System Requirements for User CALs in Windows Server 2025 Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

Before deploying your RDS User CALs, ensure your environment meets the following minimum requirements for Windows Server 2025:

Meeting these requirements ensures optimal performance, stability, and compatibility when deploying Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on Windows Server 2025.