Installing the Remote Desktop Client

Windows Server 2025 RDS "client installation" actually covers two separate topics performed by different people, on different machines, at different points in the deployment lifecycle. Understanding this distinction prevents confusion when planning a Remote Desktop Services rollout:

1. Client application installation: end users install connection software on their own devices to connect to the RDS deployment.
2. CAL installation: administrators install Client Access Licenses on the RD Licensing server to legally permit client connections.

These two topics are covered as separate sections below, since they are rarely performed by the same person or at the same stage of a deployment.

Windows: Built-in Remote Desktop Connection

Windows client operating systems include mstsc.exe (Remote Desktop Connection) pre-installed. No download or installation is required.

• Search for "Remote Desktop Connection" in the Start menu, or run mstsc from the command line
• Enter the RDS server's hostname or IP address, or the RD Web Access URL for a session collection
• Save connection settings as an .rdp file for reuse

Windows App and Microsoft Remote Desktop (Modern Client)

Microsoft's actively developed modern client is available across platforms:

• Windows: download Windows App from the Microsoft Store
• macOS: download Microsoft Remote Desktop from the Mac App Store
• iOS and Android: download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store

Installation steps are consistent across platforms: search the app store for the client, install it, then configure the app with the RDS server address, or subscribe using a Workspace URL for centrally managed connections.

What is available on iOS and Android:

You can install Microsoft’s client apps on iOS/iPadOS and Android. These allow devices running those operating systems to connect to an existing RDS environment (or to other remote Windows resources such as individual PCs, Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, etc.).

Supported client options include:The Microsoft Remote Desktop client (available in the Apple App Store for iOS/iPadOS and Google Play for Android). The newer Windows App (which is gradually replacing or supplementing the older Remote Desktop client on many platforms and also supports connecting to Remote Desktop Services).
Microsoft documentation confirms that both iOS/iPadOS and Android are supported platforms for connecting to Remote Desktop Services using these clients.

Clientless Browser Access

If RD Web Access or the RD Web Client is configured on the server, users connect directly through a standard browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari over HTTPS. No client software installation is required at all. This is the lowest-friction option for organizations that want to minimize endpoint management overhead.

Group Policy Deployment

For managing client configuration at scale in a domain environment:

• Create a shared folder containing the client installation files, if using an MSI-based deployment method
• Use Group Policy to push installation commands, or pre-configure RDS connection settings through Group Policy Preferences
• Apply the policy to target user or computer organizational units

Scripted Deployment

For automated client provisioning across many machines, PowerShell scripts offer a repeatable, documented approach:

Install-PackageProvider -Name NuGet -Force
Install-Module -Name RemoteDesktop
# Add configuration commands or installation scripts here

Third-Party and Specialized Clients

• FreeRDP: an open-source RDP client for Linux and other non-Windows systems not covered by Microsoft's official clients
• VDI platform clients: if RDS is used alongside a VDI platform such as VMware Horizon or Citrix Workspace, follow the platform-specific client documentation for that product

CAL installation is an administrative task performed on the server side, not by end users. It must be completed before the 120-day licensing grace period expires on a new RDS deployment.

Step 1: Install the RD Licensing Role

• Open Server Manager, click Manage, then select Add Roles and Features
• Select Remote Desktop Services installation
• Add the Remote Desktop Licensing role service alongside RD Session Host

Step 2: Activate the License Server

• Open RD Licensing Manager (licmgr.exe) from Server Manager Tools
• Right-click the server name and select Activate Server
• Follow the activation wizard, which connects to Microsoft's licensing clearinghouse to validate the license server

Step 3: Install the Windows Server 2025 RDS CALs

• Once activated, right-click the server and select Install Licenses
• Select your license program: Open License, Enterprise Agreement, Retail, or another applicable program
• Enter the product key or agreement number
• Specify Windows Server 2025 as the version and provide the CAL count

Step 4: Set Licensing Mode

Configure the Session Host or Connection Broker to point to the license server and specify the licensing mode through Server Manager or PowerShell:

Set-RDLicenseConfiguration -LicenseServer "LicenseServerName" `
    -Mode PerUser

• For most environments, the built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool or the Windows App and Microsoft Remote Desktop client is sufficient for end users. No additional client software installation is typically required.
• For large-scale enterprise deployments, use Group Policy or PowerShell scripting for efficient client configuration distribution and management.
• Ensure compatibility between client software versions and the Windows Server 2025 RDS environment, particularly for multi-platform support across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
• Complete CAL installation and license server activation before the 120-day grace period expires to avoid connection failures.

The next lesson covers establishing and managing a Remote Desktop session, including session reconnection behavior, idle timeout configuration, and troubleshooting common connection issues.

Click the exercise link below to practice running the Remote Desktop Services Client software.

Install Remote Desktop Services Client - Exercise