Elastic Compute Service:What do I do if the error message "no Remote Desktop License Servers available to provide a license" appears when connecting to a Windows instance via Remote Desktop?

Problem description

When you try to connect to a Windows instance through Remote Desktop, the connection fails after you enter the correct username and password. The following error message is displayed.

Cause

The Windows Server operating system allows up to two simultaneous Remote Desktop connection sessions by default. If more than two sessions are needed, or if device or user access control is required, Remote Desktop Services (RDS) must be installed, and Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs) must be purchased and configured.

Following the RDS installation, the system enters a 120-day license grace period with the initial remote desktop connection. During this grace period, users can connect through Remote Desktop without purchasing RDS CALs. By default, up to two simultaneous Remote Desktop connection sessions are supported. Once the grace period expires, RDS CALs must be purchased and configured for Remote Desktop connections. Otherwise the above error message appears.

Solutions

• If no more than two simultaneous remote connection sessions are required, select Solution 1: Remove the role related to Remote Desktop Services to restore the default remote connection settings of the system.

• If more than two simultaneous remote connection sessions are needed, or if device or user access control for remote connections is required, select Solution 2: Purchase and configure RDS CALs for authorization.

Solution 1: Remove the role related to Remote Desktop Services

This section demonstrates how to remove the server role related for Remote Desktop Services using Windows Server 2016 as an example.

1. Connect to the Windows instance using VNC.

   For more information, see Connect to an instance by using VNC.

2. Right-click , select Run, type servermanager in the dialog box, and click OK.

3. In the Server Manager window, remove the role related to Remote Desktop Services.

   1. Navigate to Manage > Remove Roles and Features.

   2. On the Server Selection page, keep the default Windows instance selected and click Next.

   3. On the Server Roles page, uncheck Remote Desktop Services, confirm in the dialog box by clicking Remove Features, and then click Next.

   4. On the Features page, uncheck Remote Server Administration Tools and click Next.

   5. Click Remove on the Confirmation page.

   6. Monitor the progress of the removal task on the Results page.

4. Restart the Windows instance after the removal task is completed.

   • Method 1: Restart the instance through the ECS console. For more information, see Restart an instance.

   • Method 2: On the Windows instance desktop, right-click , select Shut down or sign out > Restart.

5. Try to connect to the Windows instance by using the Remote Desktop connection tool or Workbench. For more information, see Connect to a Windows instance by using a password or key.

Solution 2: Purchase and configure RDS CALs for authorization

Purchase and configure the appropriate RDS CALs for authorization. For more information, see Microsoft official documentation.