Hello friends!
If you’re a developer or an IT enthusiast in India who’s been hearing a lot about automation, RPA, and low-code tools then Power Automate Desktop is something you’ll definitely want to check out.
In this first article of my Power Automate Desktop tutorial series, I’ll Walk you through the absolute basics.
- What is Power Automate Desktop?
- Why is it useful (especially for us in IT and support roles)
- How to install it step by step
- And finally, a quick tour of the user interface
Let’s dive in,
![Copilot]()
What is Power Automate Desktop?
Power Automate Desktop (PAD) is a free tool from Microsoft that allows you to automate repetitive tasks on your computer no need to write full code or scripts.
Imagine these scenarios.
- You open Excel every day, copy some data, and email it.
- You log in to a website to download reports.
- You rename files manually based on content.
All these can be automated using PAD just by drag-and-drop actions. Think of it like creating a “macro” but way more powerful.
It falls under the broader umbrella of RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and integrates really well with Power Automate Cloud, Office 365, and even third-party apps.
Why Use Power Automate Desktop?
Good question! Let me answer this like we would discuss over Tea during a team break.
Here are some of the main reasons why we developers (and IT folks) should care:
- No license cost: It’s completely free for Windows 10 and 11 users.
- Saves time: Automate boring, manual tasks and focus on actual development work.
- Low-code friendly: Even non-programmers in your team can use it.
- Built-in integrations: From Excel to Chrome to legacy desktop apps, everything is supported.
- Cloud integration: Combine PAD flows with Power Automate Cloud for end-to-end solutions.
So whether you’re working on a support project, internal tools, or just want to become the go-to automation person in your team this tool is super handy.
Installing Power Automate Desktop: Step-by-Step
Getting started is pretty simple. Here's how you can install it.
- Go to the official download page: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2102613
- Click on "Download Power Automate for desktop"
- Once the installer is downloaded, run it. Accept the license terms and click Next.
- You’ll see options for additional components (like browser extensions). I recommend keeping them checked for web automation.
- After installation, log in using your Microsoft account (Office 365 or even personal).
- That’s it! You're ready to create your first automation.
Note. You don’t need admin rights for most parts, but for enterprise setups, some environments may need IT approval.
First Look at the Power Automate Desktop Interface
Once you open PAD, here’s what you’ll notice.
Left Sidebar: This is where all your actions (like click, type, launch app) are listed and grouped.
![Sidebar]()
Main Flow Designer Drag and drop actions here to build your automation.
![Main Flow Designer]()
Variables Panel Shows input/output variables and flow data.
![Variables Panel]()
Debug Toolbar Run, pause, stop, and monitor your flows.
![Debug Toolbar Run]()
The interface is beginner-friendly and similar to other Microsoft tools. If you’ve used SSIS or UiPath before, you’ll feel at home.
Final Thoughts
So that’s your quick tour into the world of Power Automate Desktop.
In the next article, I’ll show you how to create your first real flow where we’ll automate file operations and understand how each action works. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll start automating all the boring stuff around you.
Summary
- Power Automate Desktop helps you automate manual desktop tasks with zero or minimal code.
- It’s free and integrates well with Microsoft 365.
- Installation is quick, and the interface is easy to understand.
If you found this useful, feel free to share it with your teammates or on LinkedIn. Happy automating!