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Windows 11 Power Automate: What is it & How to Use it
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Updated onNovember 22, 2023
updated onNovember 22, 2023
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During the transition between operating systems, Microsoft made some of the paid apps found on Windows 10 native on Windows 11, and one of those examples is Power Automate Desktop.
Formally known as Microsoft Flows, Power Automate is an app that allows you to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks so they can operate by themselves.
The app works similarly to how Macros function on Microsoft Excel, but Power Automate is much more advanced in what it can do.
Power Automate is native to Windows 11; you don’t have to download anything. All you have to do is open the search bar on the OS, typePower Automate, and it’ll be the first entry that pops up.
Updates occur automatically when you open the app; otherwise, it’s ready from the get-go.
What are the benefits of Power Automate?
Because it automates time-consuming tasks, Power Automate can boost productivity and accuracy, giving you more time to focus on high-value work. The app frees up a lot of time, and you can achieve more with reduced effort. You no longer have to rely on someone else and take up their time.
It streamlines many business processes by synchronizing files, notifications, and data collection in a straightforward manner. According to a study conducted by Forrester Consulting, people who used Power Automate alongside other Microsoft services saw an over 300 percent return on investment and saw their business grow in three years.
Where would I use Power Automate?
Power Automate can move data between systems at specific times, send an email to someone when a certain event occurs, automatically save email attachments, or do other complex tasks.
It’s completely safe to use, but it can be a little tricky. Power Automate is a fairly complex app. Feel free toexplore how to use Power Automate in depth.
The app comes with over 300 prebuilt actions inside that allow you to create automated systems across different apps. Not only does Power Automate work with native apps, but tons of third-party apps as well. It works with YouTube, Facebook, Microsoft Teams, Asana, and so on. You can also create your own scripts.
Before you start, you’ll need to check if your Windows 11 computer can run Power Automate. Your machine needs:
Microsoft also hasa list of supported languages and keyboard layouts for Power Automate on their website. Much of what you will see on that list pertains to Windows 10, but Power Automate is directly carried over from the old OS, so the requirements and support are still the same.
How to use Power Automate Desktop?
1. Building a workflow
Tip:Every action performed while recording will be implemented exactly as it was done. Perform each step carefully when recording.
What are some of its most useful features?
As stated earlier, Power Automate has over 300 prebuilt connectors. You can add compressing ZIP files to a workflow or unzipping them if they come in through an email.
A workflow can be configured to write XML files, insert XML elements, print documents, and more. Double-click connectors to place them at the bottom or drag and drop.
Power Automate also has an AI Builder which uses artificial intelligence to boost the app’s efficacy. The AI is used to manage the workflow once it’s created and can be connected to data sources to make connections possible. Its reach can even be extended using built-in connectors to Microsoft Azure APIs.
And if the workflow is somehow deleted, lost, or you forgot to save it, Power Automate comes with cloud-based data loss prevention functioning as a backup. It does however require a constant internet connection to connect to the cloud. Power Automate does not work without an internet connection.
What is the difference between Power Automate and Power Automate Desktop?
Microsoft has released two apps with similar-sounding names:Power Automateand Power Automate Desktop. However, the company doesn’t do a very good job of differentiating the two. The two versions do similar things but have substantial differences.
Power Automate Desktop is a desktop-based software that can automate any desktop or web app. It has more than 370 actions, which you can use to record actions on the internet or PC.
Power Automateis a cloud-based software with AI features and more than 450 connectors, so it’s capable of more actions. Power Automate can only be used in a web browser, but it’s useful for those who may not have a computer that meets hardware requirements or would rather not use their Windows 11 computer. The Desktop version does less than the web version.
Both of these versions are great; there isn’t one that is objectively better than the other. Power Automate Desktop is already a fantastic app that does a lot, but it may occasionally suffer from anetwork error. If you want even more connections, then the web browser version is better in that regard.
There do exist third-party automation apps like UiPath RPA and Automation Anywhere. Apps like these offer unique features like prebuilt templates, collaboration with other people, document generation, process analysis, and more. But to get those features, you’ll have to pay. Power Automate is free and has most of the features found on third-party apps.
Final thoughts on Power Automate for Windows 11
Final Score: 4.5/5
If you want to try out other Windows 11 native apps, Microsoft recently released a new Media Player app on the Windows 11 Dev Channel. It’s in beta right now, so there may be a few bugs here and there.
Although Power Automate is the exception, Windows 11 has a lot of native apps that are outclassed by third-party apps. There are also a ton ofworthwhile and fantastic third-party appsavailable for Windows 11.
Feel free to comment below if you have questions on other Windows 11 native apps or tell us which guides you’d like to see.
More about the topics:Windows 11,Windows 11 Software & Apps
Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar has been writing for and about technology going on for 6 years when he first started writing tech articles for his university paper. Since then, his passion for technology blossomed into a prosperous writing career. He first started writing about tech in the entertainment world and would later move on to write about smart life tech and social media. He was recently a Technical Writer for tech company Extron where he wrote user guides for audio and video equipment.
He has since moved on to being a freelance writer looking to have a career in copywriting and hopes to share his love and knowledge of technology with the world. Recently, Cesar has written for the cryptocurrency news site, BTCPro and helping people understand tech.
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Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar is a tech expert passionate about Windows, Microsoft, and anything surrounding the world of PCs.
