Install the Terminal Server Role Service
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
In Windows Server 2008, you can use Server Manager to install the Terminal Server role service. For more information about other ways to install the Terminal Server role service, including by using servermanagercmd.exe, see the Terminal Services page on the Windows Server 2008 TechCenter (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=73931).
Use the following procedure to install the Terminal Server role service by using Server Manager if Terminal Services is not already installed on the server. If Terminal Services is already installed on the server, see Install the Terminal Server role service (when Terminal Services is already installed).
To install the Terminal Server role service
Open Server Manager. To open Server Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Server Manager.
In the left pane, right-click Roles, and then click Add Roles.
In the Add Roles Wizard, on the Before You Begin page, click Next.
On the Select Server Roles page, under Roles, select the Terminal Services check box.
Note
If Terminal Services is already installed on the server, the Terminal Services check box will be selected and dimmed.
Click Next.
On the Terminal Services page, click Next.
On the Select Role Services page, select the Terminal Server check box, and then click Next.
Note
If you are installing the Terminal Server role service on a domain controller, you will receive a warning message because installing the Terminal Server role service on a domain controller is not recommended. For more information, see Installing Terminal Server on a Domain Controller.
On the Uninstall and Reinstall Applications for Compatibility page, click Next.
On the Specify Authentication Method for Terminal Server page, select the appropriate authentication method for the terminal server, and then click Next. For more information about authentication methods, see Configure the Network Level Authentication Setting for a Terminal Server.
On the Specify Licensing Mode, select the appropriate licensing mode for the terminal server, and then click Next. For more information about licensing modes, see Specify the Terminal Services Licensing Mode.
On the Select User Groups Allowed Access To This Terminal Server page, add the users or user groups that you want to be able to remotely connect to this terminal server, and then click Next. For more information, see Configure the Remote Desktop Users Group.
On the Confirm Installation Selections page, verify that the Terminal Server role service will be installed, and then click Install.
On the Installation Progress page, installation progress will be noted.
On the Installation Results page, you are prompted to restart the server to finish the installation process. Click Close, and then click Yes to restart the server.
If you are prompted that other programs are still running, do either of the following:
To close the programs manually and restart the server later, click Cancel.
To automatically close the programs and restart the server, click Restart now.
After the server restarts and you log on to the computer, the remaining steps of the installation will finish. When the Installation Results page appears, confirm that the installation of Terminal Server succeeded.
You can also confirm that Terminal Server is installed by following these steps:
Start Server Manager.
Under Roles Summary, click Terminal Services.
Under System Services, confirm that Terminal Services has a status of Running.
Under Role Services, confirm that Terminal Server has a status of Installed.
Install the Terminal Server role service (when Terminal Services is already installed)
Use the following procedure to install the Terminal Server role service when Terminal Services is already installed on the server.
Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, on the terminal server that you plan to configure, is the minimum required to complete this procedure. Review details about using the appropriate accounts and group memberships at Local and Domain Default Groups (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=83477).
Important
The installation of the Terminal Server role service requires the computer to be restarted.
To install the Terminal Server role service when Terminal Services is already installed
Open Server Manager. To open Server Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Server Manager.
In the left pane, expand Roles.
Right-click Terminal Services, and then click Add Role Services.
On the Select Role Services page, select the Terminal Server check box, and then click Next.
Note
If you are installing the Terminal Server role service on a domain controller, you will receive a warning message because installing the Terminal Server role service on a domain controller is not recommended. For more information, see Installing Terminal Server on a Domain Controller.
On the Uninstall and Reinstall Applications for Compatibility page, click Next.
On the Specify Authentication Method for Terminal Server page, select the appropriate authentication method for the terminal server, and then click Next. For more information about authentication methods, see Configure the Network Level Authentication Setting for a Terminal Server.
On the Specify Licensing Mode, select the appropriate licensing mode for the terminal server, and then click Next. For more information about licensing modes, see Specify the Terminal Services Licensing Mode.
On the Select User Groups Allowed Access To This Terminal Server page, add the users or user groups that you want to be able to remotely connect to this terminal server, and then click Next. For more information, see Configure the Remote Desktop Users Group.
On the Confirm Installation Selections page, verify that the Terminal Server role service will be installed, and then click Install.
On the Installation Progress page, installation progress will be noted.
On the Installation Results page, you are prompted to restart the server to finish the installation process. Click Close, and then click Yes to restart the server.
If you are prompted that other programs are still running, do either of the following:
To close the programs manually and restart the server later, click Cancel.
To automatically close the programs and restart the server, click Restart now.
After the server restarts and you log on to the computer, the remaining steps of the installation will finish. When the Installation Results page appears, confirm that the installation of Terminal Server succeeded.
You can also confirm that Terminal Server is installed by following these steps:
Start Server Manager.
Under Roles Summary, click Terminal Services.
Under System Services, confirm that Terminal Services has a status of Running.
Under Role Services, confirm that Terminal Server has a status of Installed.