This article explains how to create the administrator account BinaryLane requires to install and manage Remote Desktop Services (RDS) licence packs purchased from BinaryLane.


Before you begin: BinaryLane supplies per-user RDS CALs. Microsoft requires per-user RDS licensing to use an Active Directory domain; per-user CALs are not permitted for a workgroup-only RDS deployment. Your Remote Desktop server must therefore be joined to an Active Directory domain before BinaryLane can install the licence pack.


BinaryLane staff may use the mPanel console or an administration-only session to perform the licensing work. The account created below is used solely to install and manage BinaryLane RDS licence packs. It is not intended for ordinary Remote Desktop use.


Choose the instructions that match your server:

  • Domain member server: the server is joined to a domain but is not a domain controller.
  • Domain controller: Active Directory Domain Services is installed on the Remote Desktop server itself.


Domain member server

Use these steps to create a local administrator account on a server that is joined to a domain but is not a domain controller:

  1. Sign in to the server using an existing administrator account.
  2. Open the Start menu, type Computer Management, then open it.
  3. Select Local Users and Groups and then Users.
  4. Right-click Users and select New User.
  5. Enter binarylane as the user name and BinaryLane RDS licence management account as the description.
  6. Enter a strong, unique password. Do not reuse an existing administrator password.
  7. Clear User must change password at next logon, then select Create.
  8. Under Local Users and Groups, open Groups.
  9. Open the Administrators group and select Add.
  10. Enter binarylane, select Check Names, then select OK.
  11. Select OK again to save the group membership.


The local account name is .\binarylane.


Domain controller

A domain controller does not provide the Local Users and Groups interface. Use these steps to create a domain account and grant it administrator access to the domain controller:

  1. Sign in to the server using an existing domain administrator account.
  2. Open Server Manager, select Tools, then open Active Directory Users and Computers.
  3. Expand your domain and select the Users container.
  4. Right-click the Users container, select New, then select User.
  5. Enter BinaryLane as the name and binarylane as the user logon name, then select Next.
  6. Enter a strong, unique password. Do not reuse an existing domain administrator password.
  7. Clear User must change password at next logon, then select Next and Finish.
  8. In Active Directory Users and Computers, select the Builtin container.
  9. Open the Administrators group and select the Members tab.
  10. Select Add, enter binarylane, then select Check Names and OK.
  11. Select OK again to save the group membership.


Provide the account details to BinaryLane

Reply to the Remote Desktop SAL Licence Information email and confirm that the account has been created. Provide the account name and password using the instructions in that email.


After BinaryLane confirms that the licensing work is complete, you may disable the account. If the RDS licence pack needs to be changed or repaired later, Support may ask you to enable it again or create a replacement account.


Service scope

BinaryLane will use this account only to install or manage Remote Desktop licence packs purchased from BinaryLane. We will not use it to perform general server administration, investigate unrelated operating system issues, or manage Active Directory or user accounts.