Turn on Desktop Session Host without domain involvement

I am trying to retrofit an existing VM that runs Windows Server 2008 R2 to allow some application testing.

What I need is to support Aero over Remote Desktop. I have read that to do that I need the Desktop Session Host (RDSH) role.

But the tutorials I have seen for that involve active directory and the domain controller. Interaction with either of those requires paperwork and a lot of wait time at my company.

Is there some way I can turn this one without needing elevated rights to either of those?

(I have basic "ASK" rights for Active Directory and the VM is part of the domain already.)

Not sure why you need to enable the RD Session Host role. I was able to enable Aero by just installing the Desktop Experience features on my server. That being said, it made things VERY slow over remote connections on our internet connection.