Microsoft's progressive domain-centric architecture in Windows Server 2012 R2 creates significant hurdles for standalone RDS deployments. The primary obstacles include:

# Key technical constraints observed:
1. RDS Deployment Wizard blocks non-domain configurations
2. Local admin privileges aren't recognized by RDS management UI
3. Licensing configuration becomes problematic without AD integration

While the GUI intentionally blocks workgroup configurations, the underlying WMI and .NET APIs remain accessible. Here's the architectural truth:

• RDS Session Host role can be installed via Add-WindowsFeature
• Configuration registry keys and WMI namespaces remain modifiable
• TS Licensing can be configured through PowerShell remoting

This PowerShell sequence demonstrates bypassing domain requirements:

# Install required RDS components
Install-WindowsFeature RDS-RD-Server -IncludeManagementTools

# Configure Session Host settings
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" -Name "fDenyTSConnections" -Value 0

# Configure licensing mode (Per Device)
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\Licensing Core" -Name "LicensingMode" -Value 2

# Add firewall rules
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Remote Desktop" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 3389 -Action Allow

The critical path for perpetual operation requires manual license installation:

# Import TS CALs from file
Import-Module RemoteDesktop
$licenseFile = "C:\licenses\TSCALs.xml"
Set-RDLicenseConfiguration -LicenseServer "localhost" -Mode "PerDevice" -Import -Path $licenseFile

# Verify license status
Get-WmiObject -Namespace root\cimv2\TerminalServices -Class Win32_TerminalServiceSetting | Select-Object LicensingStatus

For local user account management in workgroup mode:

# Bulk add RDS users
$users = Get-Content "C:\config\rds_users.txt"
foreach ($user in $users) {
    Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Remote Desktop Users" -Member $user
}

# Configure concurrent session limits
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" -Name "MaxInstanceCount" -Value 20

Maintain your deployment with these periodic tasks:

• Regularly export/backup licensing status with Export-RDLicenseConfiguration
• Monitor connections using qwinsta and rwinsta commands
• Implement PowerShell remoting for all management tasks

While Microsoft's domain requirement presents artificial barriers, the underlying RDS architecture remains fully functional in workgroup mode when accessed through proper automation channels.

The core issue stems from Microsoft's architectural decision to enforce domain membership for Remote Desktop Services (RDS) management in Server 2012 R2. While the components can technically function in workgroup mode, the management UI actively blocks configuration attempts.

For a minimal viable RDS deployment without domain dependencies, you'll need these core components:

• RDS Session Host role (replacement for Terminal Server)
• Remote Desktop Licensing service
• Proper CAL configuration

# Install required RDS components
Install-WindowsFeature RDS-RD-Server -IncludeManagementTools
Install-WindowsFeature RDS-Licensing -IncludeManagementTools

# Configure basic RDS settings
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" -Name "fDenyTSConnections" -Value 0
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" -Name "LicensingMode" -Value 4  # Per Device mode

# Enable firewall rules
Enable-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Remote Desktop"

The licensing hurdle requires registry manipulation since the GUI blocks workgroup configurations:

# Configure licensing server self-reference
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermService\Parameters" 
    -Name "LicensingServer" -Value "localhost" -PropertyType String

# Set license mode (2 = Per User, 4 = Per Device)
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\Licensing Core" 
    -Name "LicensingMode" -Value 4

# Bypass license server discovery timeout
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TermService\Parameters" 
    -Name "X509 Certificate" -Value ([byte[]](0x00))

For local user management in workgroup mode, consider these approaches:

# Create local RDS users
New-LocalUser -Name "RDSUser1" -Description "RDS User Account" -NoPassword

# Add to Remote Desktop Users group
Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Remote Desktop Users" -Member "RDSUser1"

# Configure session limits (optional)
Set-RDSessionCollectionConfiguration -CollectionName "TempCollection" 
    -UserGroup "ServerName\Remote Desktop Users" 
    -ConnectionBroker "localhost" 
    -MaxSessions 20

Without domain integration, you'll need PowerShell scripts for:

• Automated license status monitoring
• User session management
• Periodic configuration validation

# Sample monitoring script
$licenseStatus = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_TSLicenseKeyPack
if ($licenseStatus.Available -lt 5) {
    Write-EventLog -LogName "Application" -Source "RDS Maintenance" 
        -EntryType Warning -EventId 5001 
        -Message "Low RDS CAL availability detected"
}

For organizations that absolutely require GUI management, consider:

# Create temporary domain controller (Azure VM recommended)
Install-ADDSForest -DomainName "tempdomain.local" -InstallDNS -NoRebootOnCompletion

# Configure RDS via GUI
# Then demote DC and convert back to workgroup

# Cleanup script example:
Uninstall-ADDSDomainController -LocalAdministratorPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString "P@ssw0rd" -AsPlainText -Force)

Always verify your workgroup RDS deployment with:

Test-RDDeployment -ConnectionBroker "localhost" -Detailed
Get-RDLicenseConfiguration -LicenseServer "localhost"
query session /server:localhost