How to transfer Terminal Services CAL from one computer to another (248430)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q248430
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

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-based 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:
  1. Start the Terminal Services Licensing tool on your Windows 2000 server.
  2. On the View menu, click Properties.
  3. Click the Connection Method tab.
  4. In the drop-down box, click Telephone and your country.
  5. Click OK.
  6. On the Action menu, click Install Licenses to start the Licensing wizard and obtain the telephone number.
  7. Call the CSC and describe your need to reissue licenses.
  8. The CSR guides you through the process.

Physically removing the TS CAL

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

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.

All licenses under MSLicensing are TS CALs. LICENSE000, LICENSE001, LICENSE002, and so on are used in succession until an empty slot is found. There is no particular mapping of license numbers to license types.

The key to be deleted is LICENSE000 or LICENSE00x:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MSLicensing\Store\LICENSE00x

Then, have the clients reconnect.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/26/2005
Keywords:kbMSCCSearch kbMSCCSales kbPubTypeKC kbenv kbhowto KB248430
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.