Base access licensing · Named users
Windows Server 2016 User CALs for people who use multiple devices
A Windows Server User CAL licenses one named person to access appropriately licensed Windows Server services from their work devices. Choose the required pack size for your users; this is an access entitlement, not Windows Server software and not an RDS CAL.
- Named-user access
- Base Windows Server CAL
- Multiple-device use
- Pack-size selection
- Not an RDS CAL
Purchase boundaries
Know exactly what a User CAL does
Licence-model decision
Choose User CALs when people outnumber their regular devices
Hybrid employees
One licensed person can access Windows Server services from an office PC, laptop or another work device.
Mobile teams
Useful when named employees move between locations and regularly use more than one endpoint.
Identity-based management
Track licensing by named user rather than tying the access right to a single shared device.
Three licence layers
Base CALs and RDS CALs solve different requirements
- 1
License the server operating system
License Windows Server Standard or Datacenter for the physical cores of the server, or use another valid edition-specific licensing model.
- 2
License ordinary access
Assign a base Windows Server User or Device CAL to each user or device that requires it under Microsoft's terms.
- 3
Add RDS licensing when required
For Remote Desktop Services sessions, add the matching RDS User or Device CAL. An RDS CAL does not replace the base CAL.
Access model
User CAL or Device CAL?
User CAL
License one named person
- One CAL per licensed user
- User may access from multiple work devices
- Often suits mobile and hybrid teams
- This page's intended licence model
Device CAL
License one specific device
- One CAL per licensed device
- Multiple people may use that device
- Often suits shared PCs, kiosks and shift work
- Choose a separate Device CAL product
Avoid a wrong order
What is not included
This page is for
- Base Windows Server 2016 access rights for named users.
- Organisations whose licensed users work from multiple devices.
- Selecting a confirmed User CAL pack quantity.
Version planning
Match CAL purchases to the server roadmap
Microsoft extended support for Windows Server 2016 ends in January 2027. Confirm the server version users will access and whether an upgrade is planned before investing in additional 2016 CALs.
Buyer questions
Windows Server 2016 User CAL FAQs
Is a User CAL Windows Server software?
No. It is an access right for one named user. The server operating system must be licensed separately.
Does one User CAL cover several people?
No. It is assigned to one named user. Choose Device CALs if many people share a smaller number of fixed devices.
Can the licensed user work from several devices?
Yes. A User CAL follows the named user rather than one endpoint, subject to Microsoft's licence terms.
Does this include Remote Desktop Services?
No. RDS access requires an additional RDS CAL as well as the appropriate base Windows Server CAL.
Are CALs different for Standard and Datacenter?
Windows Server CALs are version-based access licences and are not normally edition-specific. The same appropriate Windows Server CAL can provide access to Standard or Datacenter.
How many CALs should I buy?
Count every named user who requires licensed access. Choose Device CALs instead when licensing shared devices produces the better fit.
Ready to choose?
Count named users—not concurrent sessions
Confirm that you need base User CALs, count every named user who requires access, and choose the matching pack option above.
Official Microsoft references
- Windows Server 2016 licensing datasheet
- Microsoft base and additive CAL guidance
- Windows Server 2016 lifecycle
Microsoft Product Terms and licensing documentation control if they conflict with this explanatory summary.
