How To Find — Rds License Key Fixed

Finding a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) license key is less like hunting for a single code and more like solving a digital puzzle. Unlike retail software, RDS Client Access Licenses (CALs) are entitlement-based

Recovering a lost RDS license key

  1. Search your organization’s purchase records, email receipts, and reseller portals.
  2. Check VLSC or Microsoft 365 Admin Center for entitlement IDs or keys.
  3. If the key was used to activate the license server but you can’t find the key, the server’s RD Licensing Manager will show installed CALs (counts/type), but not always the original key.
  4. Contact Microsoft Volume Licensing Support or the reseller with your agreement/order number to request reissues or proof of purchase.
  • On the RDS License Server, go to Start → Windows Administrative Tools → Remote Desktop Services → RD Licensing Manager.

Method 4: The Windows Registry (Last Resort)

If the RD Licensing Manager is corrupt or the server is offline, the registry holds the keys. This is hacky but effective. how to find rds license key

If you have an RDS license server installed on your network, you can find the license key in the Remote Desktop Services Configuration console. Here's how: Finding a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) license key

The Command:Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey On the RDS License Server, go to Start

3. Microsoft 365 Admin Center (for subscriptions)

If your RDS CALs are part of a subscription (e.g., via CSP or certain M365 plans):

Need further help? The official Microsoft documentation for "Add RDS CALs to a license server" is always up-to-date, but the steps above cover the real-world scenarios most admins face.

This ID is required when calling the Microsoft Clearinghouse or entering manual activation codes.