What happens when your Remote Desktop Protocol trial runs out
When you install Remote Desktop Services on Windows Server with a trial license, you get a set number of days — usually 120 — before the license stops working. After that period ends, Remote Desktop stops accepting new connections, and existing sessions disconnect. You cannot simply restart the server or reinstall the software to get more time; the trial period is tied to your Windows installation, not the application itself.
The refresh process depends on what you actually need. If you want to keep using Remote Desktop beyond the trial, you need a permanent license from Microsoft. If you want to extend the trial itself, you can reset the trial period by reinstalling Windows Server on that machine — but this erases everything on it. A third option is to use the built-in grace period, which gives you an extra 30 to 120 days in some cases without any action on your part.
Key Takeaways
- Remote Desktop trial licenses expire after a set period (usually 120 days) and cannot be extended by restarting the server or clearing temporary files.
- The grace period — an automatic extension that appears after the trial ends — gives you 30 to 120 additional days depending on your Windows Server version and configuration.
- To permanently extend Remote Desktop access, you must purchase a Remote Desktop Services license from Microsoft or a reseller and install it on your server.
- Reinstalling Windows Server resets the trial clock but erases all data and settings on that machine, so back up everything first if you choose this route.
- Check your current license status in Remote Desktop Licensing Manager to see your expiration date and remaining grace period.
Check your current license status and remaining time
Before you take any action, find out exactly how much time you have left. Open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager on your Windows Server machine. If you do not see it in your Start menu, press the Windows key, type "Remote Desktop Licensing Manager," and open it.
In Licensing Manager, look at the server name in the left panel. Right-click it and select Properties. A window opens showing your license status, the number of days remaining on your trial, and whether you are currently in the grace period. Write down the expiration date — this tells you whether you have time to purchase a license or whether you need to act immediately.
If the status shows "Grace Period Active" or lists a date further in the future than you expected, you are already in the automatic extension period. You can continue using Remote Desktop during this time, but you still need to purchase a permanent license before the grace period ends.
Understand the automatic grace period
Windows Server includes a built-in grace period that activates automatically when your trial license expires. This period gives you extra time — typically 30 to 120 days depending on your server version — without requiring you to do anything. The grace period is not a "refresh" in the sense that it does not reset your trial; it is an automatic extension that Microsoft provides.
During the grace period, Remote Desktop continues to work normally. Users can connect, and sessions function as they did before expiration. However, you cannot extend the grace period once it ends. The only way to keep Remote Desktop working after the grace period expires is to install a permanent license.
The grace period length varies: Windows Server 2016 and 2019 typically offer 120 days, while Windows Server 2022 offers 30 days. Check your Licensing Manager to see which period applies to your server. If you are approaching the end of the grace period, contact Microsoft or a license reseller to purchase a Remote Desktop Services license now.
Purchase and install a permanent Remote Desktop Services license
A permanent license is the only way to use Remote Desktop indefinitely after your trial and grace period end. You purchase this from Microsoft directly or through an authorized reseller. The license type you need is called a Remote Desktop Services Client Access License (RDS CAL). You also need a Remote Desktop Services license server to manage these licenses on your network.
After you purchase the license, you install it on your license server using License Manager. Open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, right-click your server, and select Install Licenses. You will be prompted to enter your license key. Once installed, the license becomes active immediately, and your trial or grace period status no longer matters.
If you have only one server and a small number of users, you can install the license directly on that server. If you have multiple servers, you typically set up a dedicated license server that manages licenses for all of them. Your Microsoft reseller or the licensing documentation that comes with your purchase will specify which setup applies to your situation.
Reset the trial by reinstalling Windows Server
If you want to extend your trial period without purchasing a license, the only technical option is to reinstall Windows Server on that machine. This resets the trial clock to zero and gives you another full trial period. However, this approach has a major drawback: reinstalling Windows erases all data, settings, applications, and configurations on that server.
Before you reinstall, back up everything you need. Export your Remote Desktop configuration, save any custom settings, and document any applications or roles you have installed. You will need to reinstall all of these after Windows is back up.
To reinstall, create a Windows Server installation media (using a USB drive or ISO file), boot from it, and run the installation process. When prompted, select the drive where Windows is currently installed and allow the installer to format it. After installation completes, you will have a fresh Windows Server with a new 120-day trial period. Reinstall your applications and restore your backups.
This approach only makes sense if you have very little data on the server or if you are testing Remote Desktop and do not need to keep anything. For production servers or machines with important data, purchasing a license is the safer choice.
Troubleshoot when Remote Desktop stops working after expiration
If your trial has expired and you are not in a grace period, Remote Desktop will reject new connections. Users see an error message saying the license server is unavailable or the license has expired. Existing sessions may disconnect abruptly.
First, check Licensing Manager to confirm you are past the grace period. If you are, the only fix is to install a permanent license or reinstall Windows Server. Restarting the server, clearing temporary files, or reinstalling Remote Desktop itself will not restore access — the expiration is tied to your Windows installation, not the application.
If you recently purchased a license but Remote Desktop still rejects connections, verify that the license was installed correctly in Licensing Manager. Open the manager, right-click your server, and select Properties again. The license count should show a number greater than zero. If it shows zero, the license did not install properly. Check your license key for typos and try installing again, or contact your reseller for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my trial by changing the system date?
No. Windows Server checks the system date against Microsoft servers, not just the local clock. Changing your system date will not extend the trial and may cause other problems with your server. The only legitimate ways to extend access are the automatic grace period or purchasing a permanent license.
Do I need a separate license for each user or each server?
You need one Remote Desktop Services CAL per user or device that connects to your server, depending on which licensing model you choose. You also need a Remote Desktop Services license server to manage these CALs. Your reseller can help you calculate how many licenses you need based on your setup.
What if I only have one or two users connecting to Remote Desktop?
You still need a Remote Desktop Services CAL for each user. However, Microsoft offers smaller licensing packages for small deployments. Contact a reseller to discuss options for your specific situation — they can often find a cost-effective solution for small numbers of users.
Can I move my trial license to a different server?
No. The trial license is tied to the specific Windows Server installation on that machine. If you move the hard drive to a different computer or reinstall Windows on the same computer, the trial period resets. You cannot transfer a trial license between machines.
What happens to my Remote Desktop sessions when the license expires?
Active sessions disconnect when the license expires and you are not in a grace period. Users lose any unsaved work in their sessions. New connection attempts are rejected with a licensing error. Once you install a permanent license, users can reconnect normally.