How to Find Your RDS License Key: A Step-by-Step Guide If you’re setting up a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environment or moving your setup to a new server, you know that the "License Key" (often referred to as the Product Key or License Code) is the golden ticket that keeps everything running. Without it, your users will get booted once the 120-day grace period expires.
Finding that key isn't always as simple as looking for a sticker on a box anymore. Depending on how you purchased your licenses, your key might be tucked away in a digital portal or hidden within your server’s registry. Here is exactly where to look to find your RDS license key. 1. Check the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (VLSC Migration)
Microsoft has migrated most Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) features to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. If your organization bought RDS CALs (Client Access Licenses) through a Volume Licensing program (Open License, Select Plus, or Enterprise Agreement), this is your first stop. How to find it: Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Go to Billing > Your products. Select the Volume licensing tab. Click on Downloads & keys.
Search for "Remote Desktop Services" to see your specific Product Keys and License IDs. 2. Look in the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager
If the licenses are already installed on a server and you just need to verify the details for documentation or migration, use the built-in management tool. How to find it: On your License Server, open Server Manager.
Click Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. Right-click your server name and select Properties.
Under the Required Information or Installation Method tabs, you can often see the License Server ID.
Note: For security reasons, the full 25-digit product key is usually masked once installed, but you can find the Agreement Number or License Code used to activate it. 3. Check Your Email and Digital Receipts
If you purchased RDS CALs through a retail vendor or a Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), the key was likely delivered digitally.
Search your inbox for: "Microsoft Licensing," "Product Key," "RDS CALs," or the name of the vendor (e.g., Dell, CDW, or Insight).
Retail Boxes: If you actually bought a physical retail box, the key will be on a card inside the packaging. It is a 25-character alphanumeric string. 4. Use PowerShell to Retrieve Keys (Advanced)
If you are trying to find the product key for the Windows Server OS itself (which often gets confused with the RDS CALs), you can use a PowerShell script to pull it from the BIOS or Registry.
The Command:Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
Note: This typically pulls the OS key, not the specific RDS CAL pack keys, but it’s a helpful starting point if you’re doing a full server audit. 5. Contact Your Microsoft Partner or Reseller
If you’ve inherited a network and have no idea where the licenses came from, contact your Microsoft Partner (CSP). They keep records of every license purchased under your company’s tenant. They can provide a CSV export of all your keys, expiration dates, and agreement numbers. Understanding the Difference: License Key vs. License ID
When RDS asks for "information," it might be asking for one of three things: Product Key: The 25-digit code (Retail). License Code: A shorter code provided in the VLSC. Agreement Number: Used for Open Licensing.
If you are trying to activate a new server, you usually need the Agreement Number and the License Server ID rather than a traditional "key." What if I can’t find it at all?
If the key is lost and you have no record of purchase, you may have to contact Microsoft Clearinghouse. They are the department that handles RDS activation issues. You will likely need to provide proof of purchase to have them re-issue or identify your licensing credentials.
Finding a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) license key—often referred to as a Client Access License (CAL)—can be a source of frustration because Microsoft doesn’t typically provide a "key" in the traditional sense (like a 25-digit code on a sticker) for modern volume licensing. Instead, finding and managing these licenses requires navigating specific administrative tools and portals. 1. Check the RDS Licensing Manager
If the licenses are already installed on your server, the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager is the primary place to find details about them.
How to access: On your Windows Server, go to Start > Administrative Tools > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. how to find rds license key
What you’ll find: You will see a list of installed license packs. While this won't show you a raw "product key," it will display the License Program, the Agreement Number (or Authorization/License numbers), and the quantity of CALs. These numbers are what you actually need if you ever have to rebuild the server or move the licenses. 2. The Microsoft 365 Admin Center (Formerly VLSC)
For most businesses, RDS licenses are purchased through Volume Licensing. Microsoft has migrated the old Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Where to go: Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
The path: Navigate to Billing > Your products > Volume licensing.
Downloads & Keys: From here, you can view your agreements. Under the "Downloads & Keys" tab for your specific RDS version, you will find the Authorization and License numbers required to activate the licenses on your server. 3. Retail Boxes and Email Confirmations
If you didn't buy through a Volume License agreement (e.g., you bought a "Retail" pack for a small business):
Physical Box: If it was a physical purchase, the key is on a card inside the packaging.
Digital Retail: If bought through a third-party vendor or the Microsoft Store, search your email for "Product Key" or "License Confirmation." These will provide a standard 25-character key that you enter directly into the "Install Licenses" wizard in the RD Licensing Manager. 4. Using PowerShell (For Active Servers)
If you are trying to find details about the current licensing configuration via command line, you can use WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) through PowerShell: powershell
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_TerminalServiceSetting -Namespace "root\CIMV2\TerminalServices" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
This won't spit out a hidden key, but it will confirm your Licensing Mode (Per User or Per Device) and the Specified Licensing Servers, which helps you track down where the keys were originally installed. Summary of Terms
To "find" your key for activation, you usually need one of three pairs:
License Number and Authorization Number (Volume Open License) Agreement Number (Select, Enterprise, or School agreements) Retail Product Key (25-digit code)
If you have lost all documentation and the server is dead, your best bet is to contact the Microsoft Activation Center or your Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), as they can look up your purchase history using your company’s domain or tax ID.
Introduction
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a popular technology that allows users to access and control remote desktops. To use RDS, a license key is required to activate the service. However, many users struggle to find their RDS license key, which can be frustrating and time-consuming. In this paper, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to find your RDS license key.
Method 1: Check the RDS License Server
The RDS license key is typically stored on the RDS License Server. To find the license key, follow these steps:
Method 2: Check the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC)
If you purchased your RDS licenses through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC), you can find your license key on the VLSC website. Here's how:
Method 3: Check the RDS Documentation
If you still have access to the documentation that came with your RDS purchase, you may be able to find your license key there. Check the following:
Method 4: Contact Microsoft Support
If none of the above methods work, you can contact Microsoft Support for assistance. They may be able to help you recover your RDS license key or provide a new one.
Conclusion
Finding your RDS license key can be a straightforward process if you know where to look. By following the steps outlined in this paper, you should be able to locate your RDS license key and continue using Remote Desktop Services without interruption. If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to contact Microsoft Support for help.
Finding your Remote Desktop Services (RDS) license key—officially known as the License Server ID or the License Key Pack ID—depends on whether you are looking for the physical documentation of your purchase or the active IDs within your server environment.
If you’re setting up a new server or recovering from a crash, here is exactly how to track down those credentials. 1. Check Your Documentation (The Physical/Digital Key)
Before looking at the server software, check the original source of the purchase. How you find the key depends on how you bought it:
Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC): Most businesses purchase RDS CALs (Client Access Licenses) through Microsoft Volume Licensing. Log into the Microsoft 365 Admin Center (which has replaced the old VLSC) and navigate to Billing > Your Products > Volume Licensing.
Retail Boxes: If you bought a physical retail box, the 25-character product key is on a sticker inside the packaging.
Email Confirmations: If purchased through a third-party partner or reseller, search your inbox for "Microsoft License," "CALs," or "Product Key." 2. Find the License Server ID (Active Servers)
If your RDS environment is already running and you just need the License Server ID to register or troubleshoot, follow these steps: Open Server Manager on your license server.
Click Tools in the top right corner and select Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. Right-click your Server Name in the left-hand pane. Select Properties.
Under the Connection Method tab, you will see your License Server ID. This is a unique ID generated when you activate the server. 3. Find the License Key Pack ID
If you have already installed licenses and need the specific ID for a "pack" of CALs:
In the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, click on your server name.
In the middle pane, you will see a list of installed license packs. Right-click the specific license set and select Properties.
The Key Pack ID will be listed there. (Note: This is different from the 25-digit retail product key; it is the ID Microsoft assigned to that specific installation). 4. Using PowerShell (For Tech-Savvy Admins)
If you prefer the command line, you can pull licensing information using WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation). Open PowerShell as an Administrator and run: powershell
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_TerminalServiceSetting -Namespace "root\CIMV2\TerminalServices" | Select-Object -Property DirectConnectLicenseServerId Use code with caution. 5. Lost Keys? What to do. How to Find Your RDS License Key: A
If you cannot find your 25-digit key and don't have access to your Volume Licensing portal, you have two options:
Contact Microsoft Clearinghouse: Call the Microsoft activation center. If you have your Agreement Number or proof of purchase, they can often help you re-activate your licenses over the phone.
Check Registry: While the full product key isn't stored in plain text, sometimes the "DigitalProductID" can be found under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\, though this is usually for the OS itself rather than the RDS CALs.
Pro Tip: Always document your Enrollment Number and Agreement Number. In the world of Microsoft licensing, these are often more important than the individual keys themselves when it comes to recovering lost seats.
To find your RDS (Remote Desktop Services) license key (also called a RDS CAL key or license code), you typically need to check where your organization stores Volume Licensing information. RDS CALs are not product keys entered during Windows setup—they are licenses added to a Remote Desktop License Server.
Here’s how to locate it:
If you have searched the VLSC, emailed your reseller, and checked the server, and still come up empty, here are your final options:
1. Contact Microsoft Support If you have a Volume License Agreement number, Microsoft Support can often look up your entitlement. They can verify that you own the licenses and reissue the Key Pack ID if you have proof of purchase. This is a tedious process but it is the official recovery path.
2. Check for MSDN/Development Keys If you are testing in a lab environment, you might be using keys provided via a Visual Studio (MSDN) subscription. Log in to your Visual Studio subscription portal; RDS keys are often listed there under "Product Keys" (though they are strictly for dev/test, not production).
3. You Might Need to Buy New Licenses If you cannot prove ownership—perhaps the license was bought by an IT contractor who is no longer reachable, or the paperwork was lost years ago—Microsoft considers the licenses lost. In this scenario, you are legally required to purchase new RDS CALs.
Follow these three rules to avoid future headaches:
Documentation Station: Keep a secure spreadsheet with:
Centralize Keys in VLSC: Always download the "License Summary" PDF from VLSC and store it on a network share.
Use Active Directory-Based Activation (ADBA): For RDS CALs, consider installing the RD Licensing role on a VM that gets backed up daily. Back up the C:\Windows\System32\LServer folder.
If you need the original 25-character product key (e.g., to reinstall RDS CALs on a new server):
Limitation: This only shows the key pack ID, not the original product key. You cannot move a Per Device CAL key without a "license reclamation" process.
For modern RDS CALs (especially Server 2022+):
The actual license key is not stored in plain text on the server after installation. However, the Key Pack ID is stored here:
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LTHKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermServLicensing\Parameters\KeyPacks
Each subkey contains the Key Pack ID and license details – not the original 25-character key.
Solution: The actual key pack ID is the same. The distinction (Per User vs. Per Device) is made inside the RD Licensing Manager after you type the key, not during purchase. Open the Remote Desktop Services License Manager: You
Caution: RDS licenses from CSP are often "per-user monthly subscriptions." You must activate them online with your license server.