Windows Remote Desktop Services, formerly known as Windows Terminal Services, is a technology that lets users remotely execute applications on Windows Server from a wide range of devices over virtually any type of network connection. Clients are available for a wide variety of operating systems — including older versions of Windows and Mac OS X — and can be downloaded from Microsoft's Web site. They will be able to run applications on Windows Server in a window on the terminal.

This technology is included in Windows Server, but a Windows Remote Desktop Services client access license (CAL) is required for each device or user accessing Windows Remote Desktop Services. This is in addition to the Windows Server CAL that is required for each device or user accessing Windows Server.

This user CAL authorizes a user to access Windows Remote Desktop Services from any device (for example, when an employee accesses the server from a computer at work and another at home). Device CALs are also available. A device CAL authorizes one computer to access Windows Remote Desktop Services, regardless of the number of users (for example, on a shared workstation).

Windows Remote Desktop Services CALs will permit access to Windows Terminal Services, and Terminal Services CALs that were valid for Windows Server 2008 will still permit access to Windows Remote Desktop Services.

Note: This license does not require media, license keys, or setup codes.