What is a Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL?

An RDS Device CAL is a Remote Desktop Services access licence that authorises a specific device to log on to Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, regardless of which user is currently logged on. It is the licensing model designed for environments where workstations are shared: several people take turns using the same terminal throughout the day, but only one CAL needs to be purchased for that machine. The RDS licence server automatically manages the allocation when the device first connects.

What is the difference between an RDS Device CAL and an RDS User CAL for Windows Server 2012?

Feature RDS Device CAL RDS User CAL Authorises A specific device A named user Users per licence Unlimited One Devices per licence One Unlimited Assignment type Automatic, 52–89 days then released Named, permanent Optimal scenario Shared workstations, shifts, fixed terminals Mobile users, multiple personal devices

Does an RDS Device CAL 2012 also cover Windows Server 2012 R2?

Yes. The same CAL is valid for both versions of the platform, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, without distinction. For backwards compatibility, it also covers RDS sessions on earlier versions of the server. The reverse is not true: CALs issued for earlier versions do not authorise sessions on Windows Server 2012.

Does Windows Server 2012 still receive security updates?

No. Extended support ended on 10 October 2023, and Microsoft no longer releases regular security patches for this version. Paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are a temporary solution available through the Microsoft channel, but they do not replace a migration plan to a supported version. Those still operating on Windows Server 2012 should prioritise upgrading their infrastructure with the same urgency as they manage RDS licence compliance.

What happens if the Device CAL pool runs out before the 52–89-day period expires?

When all registered CALs are assigned to devices still within the retention period, new devices attempting to connect via an RDS session will not receive a licence and the connection will be refused once the grace period has ended. The solution is to acquire additional CALs and register them on the licence server, or to wait for CALs to be naturally released by devices that have not reconnected for more than 52 days. For environments with a high turnover of terminals, it is advisable to size the pool with a margin above the maximum number of devices active simultaneously.

When should you NOT choose Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL?

If users work remotely and access the RDS server from different devices depending on their context – be it the office, home or whilst travelling – the RDS User CAL offers broader coverage with a single named licence. If the server infrastructure is already running on more recent versions such as Windows Server 2016, 2019 or 2022, the CALs must correspond to the version of the server in use. Given that extended support for Windows Server 2012 has already ended, opting for RDS Device CALs for 2012 only makes sense in contexts where migration is not yet planned in the immediate future and the environment is already isolated and managed with compensatory security measures.

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL - Product Key

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL - Product Key

Name: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL - Product Key
Brand: Microsoft
SKU: MWS-2012-RDSDC
Price: 63.94 USD
Availability: InStock

$63.94

$223.81

Save $159.87

Server

Sold by:	YouSoftware
Region:	5 RDS DEVICE
Languages:	All Languages Included

Our products are guaranteed up to €2,500

Genuine License

Secure Payments

24/7 Support

350K+ Happy Customers

Email delivery

Money-Back Guarantee

Microsoft Partner

Certified Licence

Buy Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs for your Business and save. From Mr Key Shop, you can get the best 100% genuine and guaranteed digital licenses at the best price, all covered by a full money-back warranty. Discover all the benefits of our store, like secure payments, instant email delivery, and free English-speaking Technical Support.

Purchase Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL for your Business

If you’re looking for the best place where you can buy Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs at the most competitive price for your Business, look no further: Mr Key Shop is your go-to destination for Premium digital software. Order your license bundle for RDS CAL 2012 right now and activate them immediately after your purchase. This is the digital benefit of Mr Key Shop. Meet your customers’ needs and enable your remote teams in no time, with all the warranties from the best digital store in the market!

Discover all the features of the Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs

With Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs, you can create a collection of remote Desktop Services for desktop, as well as execute apps to be made available to users, in two different types: desktop sessions in pools (if you need that multiple workers access a shared resource pool) or personal desktop sessions to create a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI, each user is assigned a personal desktop from within the pool). Furthermore, you can use the PowerShell feature to configure all the Windows Server functions and fix any bugs. It also integrates the VGPU feature that allows you to graphically improve the rendering for contents on the Hyper-V host.

Is your Business running Windows Server 2012? Purchase RDS DEVICE CALs 2012 to enable and grant specific users or devices remotely access the shared resources from your organization.

Mr Key Shop ensures the highest flexibility, you can choose the license type (USER & DEVICE) and the desired amount: our bundles include 5, 10, 20, or 50 units you can activate whenever you need them, with no time restrictions. These are the digital benefits of Mr Key Shop!

Activate your Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL licenses in Digital Format

Only with Mr Key Shop, you can save over the price list and immediately obtain your digital order, right after your secure transaction. With us, you pay only with secure and reliable payment systems, like PayPal, Stripe, and the Pay services from Amazon, Google, and Apple. Each order is covered by our full money-back warranty, therefore you can shop from Mr Key Shop with full confidence!

At the end of your transaction, you’ll get an email from our instant delivery system, with all you need to proceed autonomously: your Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs, step-by-step instructions to activate and deploy your licenses, your official invoice, and access to our free English-speaking Technical Support.

These are just some of the digital benefits of Mr Key Shop!

Discover the Digital World with Mr Key Shop

Today, the Digital Market is the primary channel for software procurement. 18 years ago this was almost unthinkable, since the prevalence of the retail market, with bulky boxes sold at specialized shops and retail chains. Mr Key Shop has believed in Digital Delivery since its inception, adopting this business model with no doubt. In time, we successfully served over 350k customers, with an average rating of Excellent on TrustPilot. Time proved us right! And now we offer an encompassing, premium quality catalog. From us, you can only buy 100% genuine and guaranteed licenses, at competitive prices. You can save up to 70% over the first-party or other resellers’ catalogs.

Discover the best Microsoft Operating Systems, like Windows 11 Professional, or the best Office suites, like Microsoft Office 2021 Professional and Office 2021 Home & Business for Mac. We also thought about businesses like yours, with the best Microsoft Server products, like SQL Server 2012, Storage Server, and Windows Server 2012, including the relevant CAL licenses. Furthermore, with us, you can get the maximum protection for computers and devices with the best antivirus brands in the market, like AVAST Premium Security and Kaspersky Internet Security.

What are you waiting for? Discover the Digital World with Mr Key Shop, your one-stop shop for top-notch software!

Deploy Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs and protect the environment

Mr Key Shop made a customer journey based on simplicity, timeliness, and security. Secure payments and checkout processes allow you to quickly get your order, with no downtime. With our fully automated digital delivery system, you’ll get your order via email right after the payment confirmation.

Thus, as our team is constantly looking for the best digital licenses, always guaranteed and genuine, you can significantly save over the price list, as well as cut downtime. No couriers, no waiting times, no delays. With us, you’ll be sure you can deploy your Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CAL licenses in no time because time is money and we know it well!

Moreover, these benefits are bound to another key trait of our company: Mr Key Shop never shipped physical goods and never will. For this reason, we can help reduce pollution and waste. We’re a 100% Eco-Friendly Company and our ecological ethics guide us step after step!

How will I receive Windows Server 2012 RDS DEVICE CALs from Mr Key Shop?

Buy Windows Server RDS DEVICE CALs 2012 from us and you’ll instantly receive the following via email:

Your Windows Server RDS DEVICE CAL bundle in the desired amount
Clear and accurate instructions on how to activate and distribute your licenses
Invoice
Free English-speaking Technical Support

Other products available in the Mr Key Shop catalog

Windows Operating Systems: Windows 11 - Windows 10 - Windows 8 - Windows 7

Microsoft Office packages: Office 2024 - Office 2021 - Office 2019 - Office 2016 - Office 2013 - Office 2010 - Office for MAC - Microsoft 365 - Office App - Visual Studio - Project - Access - Visio - Outlook - Word - Excel - PowerPoint

Antivirus: Kaspersky - ESET - McAfee - Avast -Bitdefender - Norton - AVG - Acronis - Surfshark- IObit - Watchdog - Panda - Server Antivirus

VPN: HMA VPN - NordVPN - Surfshark - Cyberghost

Microsoft Server: Server 2025 - Server 2022 - Server 2019 - Server 2016 - Server 2012 - Storage Server 2016 - Storage Server 2012 - Server CAL - RDS CAL Server - SQL Server

Utilities: PDF converters - Disk Cleanup - Data Management - Screen Recorder - Invoicing Software - Backup Software - Data Recovery - Disk Partitioning - Deployment - 3D Modeling - Remote Desktop - Editing -Video Converter - Virtualization - Graphics

CAD: Autodesk - ZWSOFT – Rhino 3D - Ashampoo

Bundle: Software for Creators - Software for Gamers - Software for the Family - Software for Smart Working - Software Bundle for SMEs & Startups - Software bundle for students

Are you a reseller? Join MKreseller

Take your business to the next level with a solid and recognized partner in the original software licensing industry. With Mr Key Shop, you get access to exclusive price lists for resellers, special terms, and free professional support for you and your customers.

What's more, with MrKeyWallet, you can get extra credits on every top-up and further increase your margins: the more you invest, the more you earn. A system designed for those who really want to scale up.

Join the MKreseller programnow and discover all the benefits reserved for partners.

System requirements for Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL

Requirement	Details
Compatible server	Windows Server 2012 / Windows Server 2012 R2 with the RDS role enabled
Licence type	RDS Device CAL: one specific device, unlimited users
Alternative	RDS User CAL: one named user, unlimited devices
RDS licence server	Mandatory: same RDS server or dedicated host within the infrastructure
Licence server activation	Prerequisite prior to registration (online or via Microsoft telephone)
Device allocation period	52–89 days, then automatic release into the pool
Grace period	120 days without registered CALs before connections are blocked
Supported client devices	Windows, macOS, Linux with a compatible RDP client
Version compatibility	Covers RDS sessions on Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2; backwards compatible with earlier versions
Support status	Microsoft extended support ends on 10 October 2023

What you receive with Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL: product key and documentation via email

Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL is the licence that grants a physical or virtual device the right to establish Remote Desktop Services sessions on Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2. It is not software to be installed on the end-user device: after purchasing from Mr Key Shop, the product key is sent directly via email. The client requires no additional configuration of any kind; all RDS licence management takes place on the server, within the Remote Desktop Services Licence Management component.

Configuring the RDS licence server on Windows Server 2012: step-by-step guide

Before you can register the CALs, the Remote Desktop Services role must be installed and the Remote Desktop Services licence server must have been activated via the Licence Manager, either online or by telephone through Microsoft. This activation is a mandatory step: without it, the CAL installation wizard will not complete the registration. The licence server can be installed on the same host that provides the RDS services or on a dedicated machine accessible from the infrastructure. Windows Server 2012 includes a 120-day grace period during which RDS connections will work even without registered CALs, designed to cover the time required for the initial configuration of the environment.

Installing RDS Device CALs on Windows Server 2012: code, wizard and updated pool

Once the licence server has been activated, open the Remote Desktop Licence Manager, launch the licence installation wizard and select the Device CAL type along with the licence programme corresponding to your purchase. Enter the product key received from Mr Key Shop: registration takes place online and the counter for authorised devices is updated in real time. Device CALs are then automatically distributed to client devices upon their first RDS connection, with an allocation period of 52–89 days before they are automatically released back into the pool. Keep the product key in your organisation’s compliance documentation for any audits or licence server migrations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL

What is a Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL?
An RDS Device CAL is a Remote Desktop Services access licence that authorises a specific device to log on to Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, regardless of which user is currently logged on. It is the licensing model designed for environments where workstations are shared: several people take turns using the same terminal throughout the day, but only one CAL needs to be purchased for that machine. The RDS licence server automatically manages the allocation when the device first connects.

What is the difference between an RDS Device CAL and an RDS User CAL for Windows Server 2012?

Feature	RDS Device CAL	RDS User CAL
Authorises	A specific device	A named user
Users per licence	Unlimited	One
Devices per licence	One	Unlimited
Assignment type	Automatic, 52–89 days then released	Named, permanent
Optimal scenario	Shared workstations, shifts, fixed terminals	Mobile users, multiple personal devices

Does an RDS Device CAL 2012 also cover Windows Server 2012 R2?
Yes. The same CAL is valid for both versions of the platform, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, without distinction. For backwards compatibility, it also covers RDS sessions on earlier versions of the server. The reverse is not true: CALs issued for earlier versions do not authorise sessions on Windows Server 2012.
Does Windows Server 2012 still receive security updates?
No. Extended support ended on 10 October 2023, and Microsoft no longer releases regular security patches for this version. Paid Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are a temporary solution available through the Microsoft channel, but they do not replace a migration plan to a supported version. Those still operating on Windows Server 2012 should prioritise upgrading their infrastructure with the same urgency as they manage RDS licence compliance.
What happens if the Device CAL pool runs out before the 52–89-day period expires?
When all registered CALs are assigned to devices still within the retention period, new devices attempting to connect via an RDS session will not receive a licence and the connection will be refused once the grace period has ended. The solution is to acquire additional CALs and register them on the licence server, or to wait for CALs to be naturally released by devices that have not reconnected for more than 52 days. For environments with a high turnover of terminals, it is advisable to size the pool with a margin above the maximum number of devices active simultaneously.
When should you NOT choose Windows Server 2012 RDS Device CAL?
If users work remotely and access the RDS server from different devices depending on their context – be it the office, home or whilst travelling – the RDS User CAL offers broader coverage with a single named licence. If the server infrastructure is already running on more recent versions such as Windows Server 2016, 2019 or 2022, the CALs must correspond to the version of the server in use. Given that extended support for Windows Server 2012 has already ended, opting for RDS Device CALs for 2012 only makes sense in contexts where migration is not yet planned in the immediate future and the environment is already isolated and managed with compensatory security measures.