Description

Windows Server 2025 User CAL (Client Access License) Digital Product License Key

What you will be purchasing:

1 x Microsoft Windows Server 2025 User CAL (Client Access License) Digital Product License Key

Manufacturer: Microsoft

License: 1 PC/Server

Platform: Windows

Region: Global - Can redeem worldwide

Remote Desktop Licenses are Redeemed through the Licensing portal within your Windows Server Activation Wizard.

The Microsoft Server Operating System is a valuable update for customers who aren’t yet accustomed for the cloud or those who wish to keep their databases up to date and secure. You can see all options and available versions of the windows server series here

Once you have your Windows Server license in place - you then need to decide which client access license it is you need.

Microsoft Windows Server 2025 User and Device Client Access Licenses (CALs) are licenses required to grant users or devices the right to access a server running Windows Server 2025. These CALs ensure that your organization is compliant with Microsoft's licensing terms when connecting to the server, whether locally or remotely.

What are Windows Server CALs?

A Client Access License (CAL) is a legal requirement for each user or device that accesses the Windows Server. It is not included with the purchase of Windows Server itself. If your users or devices need to interact with the server (for file sharing, applications, or any other services), they must be licensed with either a User CAL or a Device CAL.

There are two types of CALs for Windows Server: User CALs and Device CALs.

1. User CALs (Client Access Licenses):

• User CALs are assigned to a specific user. This means that one license is required for each individual user who needs to access the server, regardless of how many devices they use.
• Advantages: User CALs are ideal for environments where users need to access the server from multiple devices (e.g., a laptop, desktop, and mobile device).
• Example: If you have 20 employees, each of whom needs access to the server from various devices, you would need to purchase 20 User CALs.

2. Device CALs (Client Access Licenses):

• Device CALs are assigned to a specific device, such as a workstation, laptop, or kiosk. This license allows any user to access the server from that particular device.
• Advantages: Device CALs are more suitable for shared devices or environments where many users access the server using the same machine (e.g., shift workers in a factory or shared terminals in a public space).
• Example: If you have 50 shared devices (e.g., workstations in a call center), you would need to purchase 50 Device CALs, and any user can access the server from those devices.

Key Differences Between User and Device CALs:

• User CALs are tied to a specific user, and that user can access the server from any device they use.
• Device CALs are tied to a specific device, and any user can access the server from that device.

Which CAL Should You Choose?

The choice between User CALs and Device CALs depends on your organization's needs:

• User CALs are best when users need to access the server from multiple devices or locations.
• Device CALs are a good fit when multiple users share the same devices (such as in a call center, factory, or healthcare setting).

Licensing Requirements for Windows Server 2025:

• Windows Server 2025 licenses the server itself, but you still need to purchase CALs for the users or devices that connect to it.
• For example, if you have a Windows Server 2025 license, you will need to buy either User or Device CALs based on how users or devices will access the server.

Therefor, to summarise, Windows Server 2025 CALs come in two types: User CALs and Device CALs. User CALs are ideal for organizations where individuals access the server from multiple devices, while Device CALs are better suited for environments where multiple users share a fixed number of devices. 

Understanding your organization's access needs will help you decide which type of CAL is more cost-effective and appropriate.

For a complete comparison of the features and differences between all versions you can view the chart here. You can purchase other options and available versions here

Once you have your Windows Server License installed; you have equipped your Windows Server with a Windows Server License you then need Client Access Licenses (CALS for short) to allow users or devices to be able to connect to that server. So therefor every user (or device) needs a license to connect to the server.

You must purchase a CAL for EVERY user or device that connects or accesses the Windows Server Operating System.

There are three different types of CAL's: USER CAL's, DEVICE CAL's and Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL's.

There are two main types of RDS CALs:

1. User CALs:
   • User CALs are assigned to a specific user, allowing that user to access the RDS server from any device (e.g., PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone).
   • Example: If 5 users need access, you would purchase 5 User CALs, and each user can access the server from any device they use.
2. Device CALs:
   • Device CALs are assigned to a specific device, such as a workstation or kiosk. Any user who uses that device can access the RDS server.
   • Example: If you have 5 devices (e.g., terminals or shared workstations), you would buy 5 Device CALs, allowing any user to access the server from those devices.

Purpose of RDS CALs:

• Accessing RDS Features: An RDS CAL is necessary to use the Remote Desktop Services features of a Windows Server, including full desktop access or RemoteApp (individual application access).
• Separate from Windows Server CALs: RDS CALs are distinct from Windows Server CALs. A Windows Server CAL grants access to the server itself, while an RDS CAL specifically grants access to Remote Desktop Services.
   

If you have any questions about Microsoft Server or Client Access Licenses then feel free to contact us for a chat with one of our sales experts.