Among the advanced tools provided by Microsoft for the computer, Microsoft Power Automate Desktop also stands out, a (recently) free tool that allows you to generate real flows of actions with which to make various programs interact or to automatically start some configurations of the computer without user intervention, similar to when seen on IFTTT or other automation services for home automation; using this tool we will automate the actions performed on the computer, so as to be able to increase productivity.In this guide, we will show you what is Microsoft Power Automate Desktop and how to use it in everyday life, both at home and at work. To fully understand the potential of this tool we will also show you some practical examples of flows (or flows) so that you can immediately replicate them on your PC.READ ALSO -> How IFTTT works to automate messages and control home automation
Microsoft Power Automate Desktop Guide
Although at first glance it may seem like a difficult tool to use, once we understand how Microsoft Power Automate Desktop works we will learn to create very interesting flows for some repetitive operations we do every day or at regular intervals, thus leaving the computer to perform them in our place without having to bother the Windows planning system (convenient but limited compared to the new tool).
What is Microsoft Power Automate Desktop
Microsoft has always been very careful on the topic of automation: from various versions of Office, we can use macros to speed up some steps or some checks on documents, by pressing a simple combination of keys. With Microsoft Power Automate Desktop, automation is taken to a new level: now we can create real macros but in an easy-to-use interface that can also be integrated with other programs on the PC, without being tied to the Office world.
If we have already used programs like IFTTT in the past, we already know what awaits us: with Microsoft Power Automate Desktop, in fact, we can create complex workflows consisting of activities that are performed when certain pre-set conditions are met (such as when you press a key, turn on your PC or open a program for the first time). Power Automate Desktop is available for free for a limited number of flows (however sufficient for use in the home or in a small office) but we can upgrade it by paying a monthly subscription.
How to download Microsoft Power Automate Desktop
To download Microsoft Power Automate Desktop all we have to do is go to the official page of the tool with any web browser and press on Download for free. At the end of the download, press on the executable to start the installation phase: in the various screens that appear, confirm where necessary, activate if possible all the items present and finally press on Install.
We wait a few minutes and when finished, we confirm to open Microsoft Power Automate Desktop. In the initial screen, we will have to enter the login credentials to the Microsoft account, which are essential to use the program and to keep the flows generated with the application.
How to create a flow
After seeing what Microsoft Power Automate Desktop is and how to install it is time to fully understand its potential, showing you how to create a flow and take advantage of this program in everyday use. To proceed we open the program, press down on New flow and we start the configuration by choosing a name for the stream and pressing on Create.
A new window will open where, on the left, there are all the actions that we can chain together, both at the system level and at the application level. It is impossible to explain literally all the items present but to begin it will be enough to know how the actions in the categories work System, Mouse, and keyboard, Email message, Web automation, Folder e Web. Once the desired flow has been created, press upon Save and make sure it is started by pressing on the name of the flow and pressing the key Run. Thanks to the integration with Windows 10, all flows will run automatically without having to open the app every time, since they are automatically placed in auto-start when the system is accessed.
If we do not know where to start, we recommend that you read the Power Automate Initial Activities and Microsoft Power Automate Documentation guides, where we will find all the guides (also in Italian) to be able to create a flow immediately.
Conclusions
With Microsoft Power Automate Desktop we will have a very powerful tool for automating some mechanical actions performed on the computer, without having to use Windows scripts or scheduling features to accomplish the same thing. This service is based on Microsoft Power Automate, which can also be used online if necessary (for a fee). Even if the configuration procedure seems more complicated (and for inexperienced users it certainly is), those who have been chewing computer science for years will be able to create very interesting flows for daily activities or for automating some procedures on computers used for work (an environment where Microsoft Power Automate Desktop expresses its maximum potential).
If we are looking for valid alternatives to Microsoft Power Automate Desktop to automate tasks and actions on Windows we recommend that you read our guides How to schedule tasks on Windows e Schedule your PC to shut down or restart at a specific time.
If, on the other hand, we are interested in the routines for voice commands we can continue reading in the Amazon Alexa guides: How to create routines and new voice commands and Google Assistant: How to create new voice commands.
READ ALSO: Free programs to automate repetitive tasks and automated operations
