How to contact support for downgrade of RDS license

Jan Mark Elzer 0 Reputation points
2026-03-27T14:21:33.4266667+00:00

We have bought a few RDS licenses. These are however 2025 RS licenses, and the servers we have to implement it on is a 2022 server. This server cannot be upgraded to 2025.

When trying to activate these license the system rejects the licenses as incompatible (logically).

The on-line documents and tools all tell you to call the 'clearing-house', but there you get an automated system which refers you back to the on-line site where you got the phone number from.

How can I get in touch with someone (or a system) which can downgrade these licenses for me.

Note: I m not part of our company IT team and do not have access to M365 admin center. I am an engineer who is configuring systems for our customers.

Regards,

Jan Mark Elzer

Windows for business | Windows Server | Devices and deployment | Licensing and activation

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  1. Tracy Le 13,130 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-27T15:09:52.9833333+00:00

    Hi Jan Mark Elzer,

    A Windows Server 2022 Remote Desktop License Server cannot accept or manage Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs. To use them on your current infrastructure, they must be officially downgraded to 2022, and this process must be handled by a human representative at the Microsoft Clearinghouse.

    First, don't worry about lacking access to the M365 Admin Center. The Clearinghouse phone agents do not require you to have tenant admin access. You only need two things in front of you: the License Server ID (found in your RD Licensing Manager console) and the 2025 Product Keys you purchased.

    Here is the established can bypass method to force the system to route you to a live Clearinghouse engineer:

    1. In Server Manager, open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. Right-click your server, go to Properties, and change the Connection Method to Telephone. This will display the correct toll-free Clearinghouse number for your specific country.
    2. When you dial the number, the automated bot will likely offer to send a link to your smartphone to resolve the issue online. Do not accept this or enter your mobile number. When asked what you are calling about, clearly say "Remote Desktop Licensing".
    3. The bot will eventually ask you to type or say your Installation ID. Do not enter anything. Wait in silence or press 0 to trigger a failure in the bot's logic, which usually forces a transfer to an agent.
    4. If you get completely stuck in the menu, select the option for Volume Licensing (even if you bought standard Retail/OEM licenses). Volume Licensing lines are staffed by real humans. Once connected, explain: "I need to downgrade an RDS CAL via the Clearinghouse, but the automated system keeps trying to hang up on me." They can manually transfer you to the correct internal desk.

    Once you have a representative on the line, provide them with your 2022 License Server ID and your 2025 keys. They have the administrative tools to revoke the 2025 keys and generate a new 2022 Key Pack ID that your server will accept natively.

    I hope this response provided some helpful insight into bypassing the automated loop. If it clarified the issue for you, please consider marking it as Accept Answer so others with the same issue can find the solution.

    Tracy.

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  2. Tracy Le 13,130 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-29T02:27:42.4733333+00:00

    Hi Jan Mark Elzer,

    I just wanted to follow up and see if you had a chance to try the phone bypass steps provided above. Were you able to successfully reach a live representative at the Microsoft Clearinghouse and get your 2025 RDS licenses downgraded to 2022? Please let me know if you are still getting stuck in the automated menu, or if you need any further assistance with entering your new Key Pack ID into your server once you receive it.

    Tracy Le.

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