How to Remove Remote Desktop Services Role on Windows Server

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) formerly referred to as Terminal Serve. It is a feature that you can use to connect to devices remotely. RDS platform is used for building virtualization solutions for any end-user requirement. This includes deploying custom virtualized applications, secure mobile and remote desktop access, and enabling end users to run their applications and desktops in the cloud. In this article, you will learn more about how to remove the Remote Desktop Services role on Windows Server 2019

Here are some related guides: How to setup and configure Remote Desktop Services via Standard Deployment on Windows Server, How to allow RDP access for non-administrators on a Domain Controller, and how to Install, Publish, Update and Uninstall Remote Desktop Web Client. Please see how to Deploy Legacy App to Azure Fileshare.

Benefits of Remote Desktop Services Role

RDS offers flexible deployment, cost-effectiveness, and extensibility. These can be realized through a variety of deployment options for on-premises deployments, Microsoft Azure for cloud deployments, and a robust set of partner solutions. See how to remove a Remote Desktop Service collection.

Depending on your environment and preferences. You can set up the RDS solution for session-based virtualization, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Or even a combination of the two below. See how to setup and configure Remote Desktop Services via Standard Deployment on Windows Server

• Session-based virtualization: Harness the computing power of Windows Server to provide a cost-effective, multi-session environment for your users’ daily workloads.
• VDI: Use the Windows client to deliver the high performance, app compatibility, and familiarity your users have come to expect from their Windows desktop experience.

Prerequisites for removing a role

You must be logged on to a server as an administrator to uninstall roles, role services, and features.

In our case, a role! If you are logged on to the local computer with an account that does not have administrator rights on your uninstallation target server. Right-click the target server in the Servers tile, and then click Manage As to provide an account that has administrator rights.

The server on which you want to mount an offline VHD must be added to Server Manager. You must have Administrator rights on that server.

Remove Remote Desktop Services Role

If for some reason, you have decided to uninstall or remove the Remote Desktop Services Role from your Windows server. Please follow the steps below.

Launch the server manager if not already open automatically. To do this, on the Windows desktop, start Server Manager by clicking Server Manager in the Windows taskbar.

Here are some exciting links: How to convert VHDX file to VHD, Fix the following servers in this deployment that are not part of the deployment Pool, How to add and remove RDS Collection, and RDS client access licenses: How to install a new Per User Remote.

Select Remove Roles and features

On the Windows Start screen, click the Server Manager tile, and On the Manage menu, click Remove Roles and Features.

The Before You Begin page will open up. Click on next to continue with the removal of roles or features from a server.

Select a Destination Server to Remove Remote Desktop Services Role on Windows Server

On the Select Destination Server page, select a server from the server pool if you have multiple servers. In my case, it is just one. Click on Next.

Note: You can select an offline VHD. To select an offline VHD, first select the server on which to mount the VHD, and then select the VHD file.

Now select the RDS roles, and then click Next to select features.

When you click to uncheck the RDS role in the image above. You will be prompted to remove the features. Click on Remove Features.

Click on Next to continue with the removal.

As you can see, all roles have been unchecked and will be uninstalled. 

You can additionally click on “Restart the destination server automatically when complete”.

After you click remove. The removal progress page displays removal progress, results, and messages such as warnings, failures, or post-removal configuration steps that are required, such as restarting the destination server.

The RDS features are no more. You can close it.

I hope you found this blog post helpful on how to Remove the Remote Desktop Services Roles on Windows Server. Please see RUN Command on AWS and RDS CALs licenses: How to remove RDS Client Access Licenses. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.