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Microsoft license requirements in Parallels RAS

This section is intended to provide guidance on typical Microsoft license requirements in a Parallels RAS environment, and should not be used as an exclusive list. For further information, please refer to your Microsoft licensing partner.

Microsoft license requirements include:

General

  • Licensing all Windows Server and Desktop Operating Systems (OS’s) is required and is not included within Parallels RAS.

  • The Windows Server Operating System (OS) to be accessed must be covered by Microsoft Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs). A Windows server hosted within Microsoft Azure can include access rights in the per-minute charge for the virtual machine.

  • The appropriate Microsoft access licenses are required, no matter how access is gained to the remote operating systems, which applies to both virtual and physical OS.

RD Session Hosts

If Windows Server is accessed remotely (for non-administrative work), then you need a Remote Desktop Service (RDS) Client access license (CAL):

  • RDS CALs are required for users or devices that want to access a Windows Server remotely. The following types of RDS CAL are available:

    • RDS Device CAL: Permits one device (used by any user) to use Remote Desktop Services functionality on any of your servers.

    • RDS User CAL: Permits one user (using any device) to use Remote Desktop Services functionality on any of your servers.

    • RDS External Connector: Permits multiple external users to access a single Remote Desktop server. If you have multiple servers, you need multiple external connectors in addition to any required Windows Server External Connectors.

    You may choose to combine RDS Device CALs and RDS User CALs simultaneously with the server software. Regular User or Device CALs are required in addition to the RDS User or RDS Device CALs.

  • RDS SAL is a service that provides a Microsoft Remote Desktop Service Subscriber Access License (called an "RDS SAL") on Virtual Machines created in Compute Resource. This makes it possible for three or more users to connect to a remote desktop (RD Session Host) for a specific Virtual Machine in Compute Resource (for SPLA partners).

Read more:

License your RDS deployment with client access licenses (CALs): https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license.

VDI

In the case of remotely accessing a single-user desktop OS, or Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licenses are required. Microsoft licenses Windows by access device:

  • Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of Windows Client Software Assurance (SA). Customers who intend to use PCs covered under SA have access to their remote VDI desktops at no additional charge.

  • Customers who want to use devices that do not qualify for Windows Client SA, such as thin clients, will need to license those devices with a Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) to access a Windows VDI desktop. Windows VDA is also applicable to third-party devices, such as contractor or employee-owned PCs.

  • Any user with one of the following Microsoft subscriptions: Microsoft 365 F3, E3, or E5 will not need a separate VDA license when accessing Windows client OS (Windows 11) on their own or from outsourced infrastructure. This does not cover access to what Microsoft terms “Listed Providers”, which are specifically excluded.

Read more:

Remote PC

Parallels RAS Remote PC allows access to both physical and standalone virtual Windows PCs. The Microsoft licensing position is similar for both scenarios. In the case of remotely accessing a single-user desktop OS, Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licenses are required. Microsoft licenses Windows by access device:

  • Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of Windows Client Software Assurance (SA). Customers who intend to use PCs covered under SA have remote access to their physical desktops at no additional charge.

  • Customers who want to use devices that do not qualify for Windows Client SA, such as thin clients, will need to license those devices with a Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) to access a Windows desktop remotely. Windows VDA is also applicable to third-party devices, such as contractor or employee-owned PCs.

  • Any user with one of the following Microsoft subscriptions: Microsoft 365 F3, E3, or E5 will not need a separate VDA license when accessing Windows client OS (Windows 11) on their own or from outsourced infrastructure. This does not cover access to what Microsoft terms “Listed Providers”, which are specifically excluded.

Read more:

Azure Virtual Desktop

  • Access to Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session and Windows 11 Enterprise desktops and apps is provided at no additional cost via AVD (this is licensing only and excludes compute, storage, and networking costs) if you have one of the following per-user licenses:

    • Microsoft 365 E3/E5/A3/A5/F3/Business Premium/Student Use Benefits

    • Windows Enterprise E3/E5

    • Windows Education A3/A5

    • Windows VDA per user

  • Access to desktops powered by supported versions of Windows Server Remote Desktop Services is provided at no additional cost (excluding compute, storage, and networking costs) if you have a per-user or per-device RDS CAL license with active Software Assurance (SA).

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FSLogix

You are eligible to access FSLogix Profile Container, Office 365 Container, Application Masking, and Java Redirection tools if you have one of the following licenses:

  • Microsoft 365 E3/E5

  • Microsoft 365 A3/A5/ Student Use Benefits

  • Microsoft 365 F1/F3

  • Microsoft 365 Business

  • Windows Enterprise E3/E5

  • Windows Education A3/A5

  • Windows VDA per user

  • Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL)

  • Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Subscriber Access License (SAL)

FSLogix solutions may be used in any public or private data center if a user is properly licensed.

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Microsoft SQL Server

SQL Server is required if using Parallels RAS Reporting. SQL Server installation may be based on:

  • SQL Express which is free but has a database size limit of 10 GB.

  • SQL Server commercial edition Standard or Enterprise, using Core-based licenses or Server + CAL-based licenses.

Read more:

App-V

App-V is not separately licensed. It is included in other license agreements such as Microsoft Volume Licensing, Windows Software Assurance, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL, and as part of a wider Microsoft licensing agreement. For instance, with an RDS CAL (either per-user or per-device), the App-V client may be used on an RD Session Host to deliver App-V applications.

To license App-V correctly, it is recommended that you engage with a Microsoft Partner (solution provider) knowledgeable on Microsoft Volume Licensing (list of Microsoft Partners: https://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-us/search?type=companies&competency=100010).

Note: Application Virtualization will reach end-of-life in April 2026. It is recommended to consider a transition to an alternative delivery method, such as MSIX app attach, before this date.

Other References

For a detailed list of Microsoft Licensing Product Terms, please see https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/docs.

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