Asking for Alternatives: Triggering a VBS Script from Cloud Without Premium Access

[Luquiluk]

I have to use a 'Desktop' flow through a VBS script to run some Excel files that I need. I need the trigger to be when a file is modified. I've thought about having it launch from the cloud to my 'Desktop,' but it requires me to be Premium, which I can't be. Is there any other way to do it?

[Deenuji]

@Luquiluk 

@Luquiluk,

All triggering functionalities are operational within Power Automate Cloud. Therefore, in your scenario, the detection of file modifications is facilitated exclusively through the cloud platform. Additionally, invoking your desktop flow from a cloud flow necessitates a premium license.

If you are comfortable with manually triggering your bots, then you do not need a premium license. Simply create your bot within Power Automate Desktop and embed your VB script within the bot. Whenever necessary, you can click the "run" button, and it will execute accordingly.

I don't see any alternative solutions for your specific use case.

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

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[kinuasa]

I recommend introducing a premium license. However, if that's not possible, you could consider keeping the installed version of Outlook running continuously. Then, utilize the "NewMailEx" event triggered upon email reception to process Excel files using macros.
Not a smart way, so I don’t recommend it much…😵

[Luquiluk]

The problem is, they probably won't give me the Premium license, so I'm looking for an alternative. I thought about trying it through the Windows Task Scheduler, but I can't find if there's an option for executing when a file is modified. I'll try to research Outlook a bit to see if I can find out how it's done, and even if it's a dirty option, at least it should work for the project."

[kinuasa]

Is the monitoring target not SharePoint or OneDrive, but rather local folders? If that's the case, instead of using Power Automate, you might consider utilizing scripts using the ExecNotificationQuery method or monitoring tools like "FolderChangesView".

[Deenuji]

@kinuasa 

An intriguing approach, but I'm contemplating how users could activate their bot without a premium license. Even if we opt for scripts or monitoring tools, the challenge lies in triggering the bot's execution without a premium license.

For instance, while we may steer clear of cloud triggers and resort to alternatives such as C# Windows services or other aforementioned scripts for monitoring folder changes, the subsequent step involves initiating desktop flows through URLs, shortcuts, or even Task Scheduler. How can we accomplish this without relying on a premium license?

As per MS pre-requisite still it would require premium license to call them through shortcuts or URL
Run desktop flows via URL or desktop shortcuts - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn

So I just would like understand your thought process around it. 

Thanks,
Deenuji Loganathan 👩‍💻
Automation Evangelist 🤖
Follow me on LinkedIn 👥

[kinuasa]

I think I can use programs like PowerShell to manipulate the Power Automate for desktop console, select flows, and execute them by pressing buttons.🤔 However, in addition to triggers, the premium license offers other appealing features, including customer support. That's why I strongly recommend considering the adoption of a premium license.👍🏻

In case of this question, if they only need to execute an Excel file when a file is modified by monitoring a local folder, I think there is no need to use desktop flow.🙂

[Luquiluk · Accepted solution]

At the end, I haven't used PAD. Instead, I've created VBS files and a Bat file that executes them, and I've programmed the Windows Task Scheduler to run them at a specific time, to avoid creating a script that's continuously monitoring the computer. The files are from SharePoint, but I have a bat file that creates a J: directory, replicating what's synchronized in SharePoint, so I can use macros in Excel that target a specific drive.