What happens when your RDP trial license expires

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) trial licenses on Windows Server expire after a set period — usually 120 days for the initial trial. When the trial ends, you lose the ability to use Remote Desktop Services to connect multiple users to the server. The server itself keeps running, but you cannot accept new remote connections, and existing sessions will disconnect.

You have three paths forward: refresh the trial license to extend it, convert to a paid license, or switch to a different remote access method. Which one makes sense depends on whether you are testing the software, running a small operation, or need a permanent solution.

Key Takeaways

  • RDP trial licenses expire after 120 days, and you can refresh them once by running the licensing reset command on the server itself.
  • Refreshing the trial gives you another 120 days but only works once — after that, you must purchase a license or lose RDP access.
  • The refresh command requires administrator access to the server and takes effect when ready without a restart.
  • If you need RDP beyond two trial periods, purchasing a Remote Desktop Services license is cheaper than rebuilding your setup later.

How to refresh the trial using the command line

The refresh happens through a single command run in Command Prompt or PowerShell on the server itself. Open Command Prompt as administrator, then type or paste this command:

slmgr /rearm

Press Enter. The command resets the licensing grace period counter, giving you another 120 days. You will see a confirmation message. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart the server or restart the RDP service.

This command works only once per Windows Server installation. After you run it, the trial period extends by 120 days from that moment. If you run it again on the same server, it will not work a second time, and you will see an error message saying the rearm count has been exceeded.

What to do when the second trial period ends

After the second 120-day period expires, you have two choices: purchase a Remote Desktop Services license or stop using RDP for multiple-user access.

If you buy a license, you need a Remote Desktop Services Client Access License (RDS CAL) for each user or device that will connect. Prices vary by vendor and licensing agreement, but a single CAL typically costs less than $100. You install the license on a license server (which can be the same server running RDP) and configure your RDP server to point to it.

If you do not want to purchase, you can still use RDP for a single administrative connection to manage the server remotely. You just cannot accept multiple simultaneous user sessions. Alternatively, you can switch to a different remote access tool — some organizations use VPN plus file sharing, or third-party software like TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

Checking your current license status

Before you refresh, check how much time you have left on your current trial. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

slmgr /dlv

This displays detailed licensing information, including the license status and the number of days remaining. If it shows "Initial grace period" or "Rearm grace period," you are still in a trial. If it shows "Notification," your trial has expired and you need to refresh or purchase a license when ready.

You can also check the licensing status in Server Manager under System and Security, though the command line gives you the exact day count.

Why the trial license exists and when to buy instead

Microsoft includes the trial period so you can test Remote Desktop Services before committing to a license. The 120-day window is meant for evaluation, not for running a production server indefinitely on trial licenses.

If you are running RDP for more than a few months — even for a small team or a test environment that has become permanent — purchasing a license is more reliable than managing trial expirations. A license removes the expiration date and the need to refresh. It also gives you legal clarity: you own the right to use RDP for the number of users you licensed, without worrying about Microsoft enforcement.

The cost of a few RDS CALs is usually less than the cost of rebuilding your setup on a different platform or losing access during a critical period because you forgot to refresh the trial.

Troubleshooting refresh failures

If you run the slmgr /rearm command and get an error, the most common cause is that you have already used your one refresh. Windows Server allows the rearm command to run only once per installation. If you see "The rearm count has been exceeded," you cannot refresh further on that server.

Another cause is insufficient administrator privileges. The command must run in a Command Prompt window opened as administrator, not a regular user prompt. Right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator" to confirm.

If the command appears to succeed but your trial status does not change, wait a few minutes and check again with slmgr /dlv. Occasionally the licensing service takes a moment to update. If the status still shows expired after 10 minutes, restart the Remote Desktop Services service: open Services, find "Remote Desktop Services," right-click it, and select Restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refresh the trial more than once?

No. The slmgr /rearm command works only once per Windows Server installation. After you run it, you have used your single refresh. The second trial period lasts another 120 days, but when it expires, you must purchase a license or stop using RDP for multiple users.

Do I need to restart the server after refreshing the trial?

No. The refresh takes effect when ready. You do not need to restart the server or restart any services. Users can continue their RDP sessions without interruption.

What happens if my trial expires and I do not refresh or buy a license?

Your RDP server will enter a notification state. You can still use RDP for a single administrative connection to manage the server, but you cannot accept multiple simultaneous user sessions. Any users trying to connect will be disconnected or denied access.

Can I refresh the trial on a server that is already in production?

Yes. The refresh command does not affect running services or user sessions. You can run it while users are connected. However, if your server is in production, you should plan to purchase a license rather than rely on trial periods, since the trial will eventually expire permanently.

Where do I buy a Remote Desktop Services license?

You purchase RDS CALs through Microsoft or authorized resellers. Contact your Microsoft account representative, or search for "Remote Desktop Services CAL" on the Microsoft licensing website. Prices and terms vary by volume and licensing agreement.