Windows Server

Duc Bui Minh 0 Reputation points
2026-10-08T14:00:11.23+00:00

1 User CAL: 1 user — usable on any device (via account login/password) -> allows only one user to connect to the server at a time; if that user disconnects, another user can connect.1 Device CAL: 1 device — usable by any user on that device (installed on a PC, laptop, etc.) -> allows only one specific device to connect to the server at a time; if that device disconnects, another device can connect.

If you want to add another session to the server—meaning two or more users are connecting—how does the activation process work?

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Remote desktop services and terminal services
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  1. Xuan Nhu 1,370 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-08T14:07:16.8333333+00:00

    Dear Duc Bui Minh,

    A User CAL or Device CAL is not a one-at-a-time connection license. A User CAL covers an assigned user who connects from different devices; a Device CAL covers an assigned device used by different people. Disconnecting does not free that CAL for another user or device. Also, please check whether the CALs you have are Windows Server CALs or RDS CALs—they serve different purposes.

    If two people need to use the server’s desktop or applications through Remote Desktop, the usual setup is:

    Install the Remote Desktop Session Host role.

    Obtain the appropriate RDS CALs for each user or device that will connect—not just for the number connected at the same time.

    Install the Remote Desktop Licensing role, activate the license server in Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, and install the purchased RDS CALs.

    Configure the session host to use that license server and select the matching Per User or Per Device licensing mode.

    There is one distinction: Windows Server allows two simultaneous Remote Desktop connections for server administration without RDS CALs. Those administrative connections are not intended to provide regular desktop or application sessions to users.

    Which Windows Server version are you using, and will these people connect to administer the server or to use an application or desktop for their work? That will determine whether you need an RDS deployment. If the server is in a workgroup, please mention that too, because Microsoft requires Per Device RDS CALs for that setup.

    If this helped, I’d appreciate a Like so others can find the answer more easily.

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