How to Transfer Terminal Services CAL from One Computer to Another

ID: Q248430

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

This article describes how to transfer a Terminal Services (TS) Client Access License (CAL) internally from one client device to another in the same company within Terminal Services Licensing.

MORE INFORMATION

The TS CAL End User License Agreement (EULA) is a per-seat license that does allow for a one-time permanent transfer of the license to another client device. To reissue this license, customers should contact a Microsoft Customer Services Representative (CSR) in the Terminal Services Licensing Customer Service Center (CSC) and request a reissue of the number of necessary TS CALs. For Windows 2000 Terminal Services, you can complete this reissue process only by using the telephone. Customers could complete this process on a periodic basis, retrieving multiple licenses in one call, and making use of the 90-day temporary client license if necessary. A reissued set of TS CALs is displayed in the Terminal Services Licensing administrative tool as another license key pack installation. Other than being a separate license key pack installation, reissued TS CALs are not distinguishable from an original installation. Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server do not receive a TS CAL from the TS server because a TS CAL is included with all versions of Windows 2000. The steps described in this article are not necessary for clients running Windows 2000.

To find the phone number for the CSC nearest you and install your reissued licenses:

Start the Terminal Services Licensing tool on your Windows 2000 server.

On the View menu, click Properties.

Click the Connection Method tab.

In the drop-down box, click Telephone and your country.

Click OK.

On the Action menu, click Install Licenses to start the Licensing wizard and obtain the telephone number.

Call the CSC and describe your need to reissue licenses.

The CSR guides you through the process.

Physically Removing the TS CAL

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

If you want to physically remove the TS CAL from the original client device, you can delete the local registry key containing the license. This ensures that the client cannot connect to a terminal server in the future without being issued a new license.

Microsoft recommends that only system administrators who are knowledgeable about the Windows 2000 registry make this change. Note that deleting this key only removes the license from the client; it does not remove the issuance history contained in the Terminal Services License server.

The key to be deleted is LICENSE000 or LICENSE00x:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MSLicensing\Store\LICENSE00x

Then, have the clients reconnect.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kbtool
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto