Do I need both a Windows CAL and an RDS CAL?

Yes. Every Remote Desktop Services user or device needs both: a Windows Server CAL (for the underlying OS authentication) and an RDS CAL (for the Remote Desktop session). This is one of the most common compliance misses in audits — teams remember the RDS CAL and forget the base Windows CAL.

The two CALs are independent — you can buy User CALs on the Windows side and Device CALs on the RDS side, or any other combination, as long as the count works out for that user or device.

Still unsure?

Talk to a licensing specialist for a written, signed quote tailored to your environment.