The local server must be joined to the domain to complete the Remote Desktop Services

Error when you try to install the Azure Active Directory Sync Tool: The computer must be joined to a domain

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On Windows Server 2012 - Is it possible to install a "Quick Start" RDS installation on a workgroup?
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On Windows Server 2012 - Is it possible to install a "Quick Start" RDS installation on a workgroup?

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Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Services)

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I'm new to Server 2012 - have lots of experience with RDS on Server 2003 and Server 2008 / R2.

In Server 2012 in the Server Manager, I'm attempting to add the Role for "Remote Desktop Services Installation" and when I click Next a message pops up that "The Local Server must be joined to the domain to complete the RDS installation option". When I click the "Quick Start" option, the "Deploy" and "Next" buttons are disabled.

I am not using a domain set up. I'd like to use a simple Workgroup as I have done in the past with prior releases of Windows Server. Is it possible to install a "Quick Start" RDS installation on a workgroup? This customer has just purchased 1 server and they don't have any budget for a second Domain Controller server.

Charles Frankel

Friday, February 1, 2013 5:26 PM

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Hi,

To fully utilize Server 2012 RDSH the server needs to be joined to a domain, and the RD Connection Broker must not be installed on a DC. The domain controller needs to be a separate server instance.

What you can do is have a single physical server running Server 2012 Standard with Hyper-V Role Service installed and two VMs running Server 2012 Standard. One VM can be the domain controller and one VM can be the RDS server running RDCB, RDSH, RDWeb, etc. The VM running active directory does not need that much CPU/RAM/IO dedicated to it, unless it will do other things besides being a DC.

OneServer 2012 Standard license will permit the above scenario.

-TP

Friday, February 1, 2013 5:56 PM
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What about downgrading to Windows MultiPoint Server or Server 2008 R2?
Charles Frankel

Friday, February 1, 2013 6:10 PM
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Hi,

If this is a volume license version of Server 2012 then it should be relatively easy to downgrade to Server 2008 R2 by obtaining the media and product key through the Volume License Service Center (VLSC) site. If this is an OEM version I believe it is still possible to downgrade, however, I do not know the exact procedure.In this case you can contact the server manufacturer that sold the license.

-TP

Friday, February 1, 2013 7:08 PM
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Please know that this new requirement is very disconcerting. I have many small business clients who would like to have a single server running in a Workgroup mode and then be able to run RDS from that server. The new Server 2012 requirement is too complex for these clients who don't have a dedicated IT person to manage a series of Virtual Machines. When I look at all of the acronyms in your response above, they would make my clients' heads spin. We will likely recommend downgrading or staying with Server 2008 R2 as a result of these new requirements.
Charles Frankel

Friday, February 1, 2013 7:10 PM
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This might be interesting to you:

Guidelines for installing the Remote Desktop Session Host role service on a computer running Windows Server 2012 without the Remote Desktop Connection Broker role service

"...This article provides the guidelines to install and configure the Remote Desktop Session Host role service on a computer running Windows Server 2012 without the Remote Desktop Connection Broker role service installed.
This configuration should only be used when it is the only option as the recommended configuration includes the Remote Desktop Connection Broker to provide access to the complete functionality with Remote Desktop Services. If a Domain Controller is available on a separate server, it is recommended to use the Standard Remote Desktop Services deployment wizard. This configuration is appropriate when there is only one server on the network. This server can be part of a workgroup or may be configured as a Domain Controller..."
Kind regards,
Freek Berson

The Microsoft Platform

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Friday, April 12, 2013 8:23 AM
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Hi Have a look at the following article:

http://ryanmangansitblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/deploying-a-rdsh-server-in-a-workgroup-rds-2012-r2/

Best regards,

Thursday, October 31, 2013 7:24 PM

34 Replies

· · ·

Serrano

nicki.u Apr 24, 2017 at 07:56 UTC

One standard server with RDP installed will be enough.

Just set it up normally, set up one farm, one gateway and don't forget your licencing.

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 24, 2017 at 08:17 UTC

Do you have any link to show me how to configure it?

When I try to setup RDP on my server, it pops up with error:

"The local server must be joined to the domain to complete the remote desktop installation option".

· · ·

Serrano

nicki.u Apr 24, 2017 at 08:20 UTC

when setting up you must point it to the current forest

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 24, 2017 at 08:25 UTC

My server is Windows 2012 R2 Standard on a Workgroup, not on any domain.

· · ·

Chipotle

ChellSol Apr 24, 2017 at 08:26 UTC

You require active directory. If you don't have a active directory already you will need to create one.
Windows server includes the right to run two virtual machines. Set up one as your active directory server and one as the remote desktop services server.
The host server should be hyper v only.

· · ·

Mace

Martin2012

Apr 24, 2017 at 08:51 UTC

I'd also caution you against exposing your Windows server to the internet for RDP. You really should be using VPN first, prehaps via your firewall, otherwise your RDP port will just attract lots and lot of attempts to login from bad people on the internet.

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 24, 2017 at 14:48 UTC

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services expert

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jamestran2 wrote:
I hear that it required 2 servers but also hear that it can be done with just 1 server.

I can certainly be done with one, but you need RDS CALs and, I believe you need to setup AD. That means creating a domain and running the server as a DC.

I'm guessing this machine is running directly on the hardware, not as a VM?

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 24, 2017 at 14:48 UTC

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Martin2012 wrote:

I'd also caution you against exposing your Windows server to the internet for RDP. You really should be using VPN first, prehaps via your firewall, otherwise your RDP port will just attract lots and lot of attempts to login from bad people on the internet.

Absolutely!

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 24, 2017 at 15:06 UTC

Yes, it's running directly on the Dell's hardware, not VM.

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 24, 2017 at 15:10 UTC

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To make life as easy as possible:

1) how about having the users RDP into their Desktops at night? Then you don't need to do anything to the Server.

2) If you need to do it at the Server... install hyper-v Roles, create a VM and make that your DC. The current server will then join the domain and you can then setup up RDS on it. Not ideal, but the easiest way to go.

Best way, though, would be to convert the existing server to virtual (P2V) then change the system over, so the hardware is running hyper-v only and the existing server is just a VM running on it.

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 25, 2017 at 00:47 UTC

The server is hosting Quickbooks Enterprise 2017 & also serves as File Sharing.

Users will need to RDP to the server and run QB 2017.

I need a GOOD link how to configure RDP on Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. I bought licenses already.

Thanks in advance.

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 25, 2017 at 02:53 UTC

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jamestran2 wrote:

The server is hosting Quickbooks Enterprise 2017 & also serves as File Sharing.

Users will need to RDP to the server and run QB 2017.

You can do that, but if it's Enterprise, I would assume they are running it on their Desktops already. They could RDP into those, too.

jamestran2 wrote:
I need a GOOD link how to configure RDP on Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. I bought licenses already.
Thanks in advance.

As we've said already, first step is to setup a domain. You need to get that done before working on RDS.

There's a decent RDS step by step here: https://msfreaks.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/windows-2012-r2-remote-desktop-services-part-1/

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 25, 2017 at 09:23 UTC

I already setup the domain on the server.

Thanks for the link, I will follow it to set it up and will let you know.

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 25, 2017 at 15:55 UTC

It clearly said that we will need 2 SERVERS !!! I am confused !!!

"A step by step guide to build a Windows 2012 R2 Remote Desktop Services deployment.

Part 1 – Deploying a single server solution.

Although it is called a single server installation, we will need 2 servers as shown below.

I have prepared 2 servers:
ITWDC01 (1 vCPU, 512MB memory, dynamic, 60GB Harddisk)
Installed Windows IPv4 192.168.66.20/24
Added .NET Framework 3.5 as a feature
Added Active Directory Domain Services as a role
Configured this server as a Domain Controller in a new forest: itw.test

ITWRDS01 (1 vCPU, 512MB memory, dynamic, 60GB Harddisk)
Installed Windows
Added .NET Framework 3.5 as a feature
IPv4 192.168.66.21/24, DNS server 192.168.66.20
Configured it as a member server in the itw.test domain"

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 25, 2017 at 15:57 UTC

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RDS is not supposed to run on your DC, but it can. I don't think you'll find any instructions with it being done that way, though, because it's a bad idea.

That's why my option 2 above said to create a VM for your DC, so it would be another Server, giving you 2.

· · ·

Mace

Da_Schmoo

Apr 25, 2017 at 16:05 UTC

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shaunmitchell2 wrote:

You require active directory. If you don't have a active directory already you will need to create one.

Actually AD is not required. However, to install RDS in a workgroup environment, you must use Device RDS CALs and not User CALs and the installation process is a little wonky as it assumes you are using AD but there are how-to's and it is a supported setup by Microsoft.

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 25, 2017 at 16:07 UTC

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Da_Schmoo wrote:

shaunmitchell2 wrote:

You require active directory. If you don't have a active directory already you will need to create one.

Actually AD is not required. However, to install RDS in a workgroup environment, you must use Device RDS CALs and not User CALs and the installation process is a little wonky as it assumes you are using AD but there are how-to's and it is a supported setup by Microsoft.

I was not aware of that.

OP said he already has licenses, though. If he has User CALs he may be stuck.

· · ·

Mace

Da_Schmoo

Apr 25, 2017 at 16:12 UTC

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The question is what licenses he has. Hopefully he means RDS CALs and not just Server CALs.

There are limitations to RDS in a workgroup - most of the remote management tools don't work, most of the powershell commands don't work and there is at least one major component that doesn't work - I want to say RemoteApps but don't hold me to it.

It's a difficult environment to install and manage.

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 25, 2017 at 16:14 UTC

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That doesn't sound worth messing with. Especially in this case where OP is already licensed for a VM and can create a DC in it.

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 25, 2017 at 16:39 UTC

GrammarPolice, look like I have to go with your instruction. But I never configure VM before; is it easy to setup? You said My Windows Server 2012 R2 allowed me to create a VM on my physical Dell's server? Do you have any link how to configure it?

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 25, 2017 at 16:46 UTC

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services expert

102 Best Answers

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Yes, you would install the hyper-v role, then you can have one VM (you get to run 2 server instances with your license, one will be used by your existing Server, the other by the VM) which you can install Server 2012R2 on.

I'll see if I have any instructions.

· · ·

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DragonsRule

Apr 25, 2017 at 16:49 UTC

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services expert

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This should do it:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh846766(v=ws.11).aspx

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 25, 2017 at 21:50 UTC

GrammarPolice, I follow your link above and configure VM. I am installing the OS for the VM now. I will let you know the result.

The instruction is not cleared, I created and deleted VM a couple times, struggle to configure the VM recognize the DVD drive.

Finally, I am able to configure VM with 2GB RAM, 200GB HD, DVD drive...Thanks for your help.

· · ·

Pimiento

jamestran2 Apr 26, 2017 at 15:29 UTC

GrammarPolice, I am able to configured VM & install Windows Server 2012 R2, run Windows Update on it.

I have to DEMOTE the Real Dell server because instruction said the VM should be the Domain Controller.

I downloaded SQL Express 2012 and installed on the Real Dell server already.

Will let you know later with the rest of the configuration.

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Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services without Domain

brandon.lee

5 minutes read

What if you have a need for running Windows Server 2019 as a remote desktop services server but you are not running a domain? If your Windows Server 2019 server is in a workgroup in an edge environment possibly and you need to run remote desktop services, is this possible? Also, what about setting up Windows Server 2019 remote desktop gateway with a workgroup? Is that possible? Can you install both on the same server in a workgroup? In this post, we will take a look at the use case of running Windows Server 2019 remote desktop services without domain services running and answer these other questions regarding the workgroup configuration with RDS and Windows Server 2019.