Calling a Desktop Flow from a Cloud Flow

[DH2023]

Hello all,

Wanted to see if someone could provide guidance on why I am unable to call a desktop flow from a cloud flow using a service account with a per user plan license? 

When I review the licensing in the settings, there is an X next to run Robotic process automation (RPA) - attended. When opening power automate runtime and trying to connect a machine, it says I do not have a premium license so I can not set up a machine (Go Premium Button).

When reviewing the pricing plans on the site, it states that the Power Automate Premium Per User License should be able to run Desktop flows (RPA) in attended mode. Are you unable to use cloud flows to call desktop flows with this plan? 

Any information on this would be useful!

[VishnuReddy1997]

Hi @DH2023 ,

Here are some possible reasons and solutions:

> Licensing Issue: The Power Automate Premium Per User License should indeed allow you to run Desktop flows (RPA) in attended mode. If you’re seeing an error message indicating that you don’t have a premium license, it might be a licensing issue that needs to be addressed with Microsoft Support.

> Service Account Setup: Ensure that your service account is set up correctly and assigned an O365 License.

> Environment and Database: There could be an issue with your environment or database. One user reported a similar problem and solved it by reinstalling the gateway. Also, ensure that your Power Automate Desktop flows are saved to either OneDrive Personal or a Power Platform Environment Dataverse database.

>Connection Issue: Before using the Run desktop flow action in your cloud flow to trigger a desktop flow, you need to create a connection to your machine.

If none of these solutions work, I recommend reaching out to Microsoft Support for further assistance.

(Note:- if you got your solution you can mark as solution and gives kudos)

Thanks & Regards

Vishnu Reddy

[trice602]

Hi @DH2023 ,

One of the root causes here may be the machine you want to run attended mode on.  As an example, attended mode is not available on Windows 11.  Check you machine operating system and confirm you have one that is supported.

The next thing to do is add your machine.  Go to machines in the left navigation and click on machines.  If you device is not listed there, that is the root cause.  Add your machine so your cloud flow has access to your machine from a cloud flow.

I mention the two root causes above because I have experienced both of them previously and using the stesps provided, both resolved the issue.

[DH2023]

Can you provide any more information on reinstalling the gateway? 

Also, when trying to sign in as the service account, I am unable to make a connection with my current machine. I am assuming because the connection is already created with my personal work account. When checking "Machines" under my personal account, it does not list any there but Runtime Manager does show it connected to my machine without a way to remove this. 

That being said, I wouldn't mind this being run on a dedicated VM. 

The strangest part is on the service account, is doesn't say I am allowed to run in attended mode. 

[DH2023]

Do you know why this is unable to run on W11? It appears what what I see online it should be able to. 

Unfortunately, through the service account AND my personal account (with PA free), I do not see anything under machines and below is what I get. 

Which doesn't add up because I can view the license on the same screen:

[trice602]

Hi @DH2023 ,

Thanks for sharing some screenshots.  Ok the first issue is to run attended PAD flows, as-in, run a desktop flow from a cloud flow, you have to have a premium license.  So step #1 is to log in as your service account and add your machine.  You will not be able to add the machine from a free license.

About Windows 11 - it does run on the pro version and the upgrade from Home was about $89 last time I did one.  It is required because of the way Windows uses the gateway.  That said, as I previously mentioned, I had the exact same issue previously, upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, installed my machine, and no issues since.

In short, there is very little you are going to be able to do with your free license running attended or unattended PAD flows.  My recommendation is to get the premium license for yourself, and then run your flows from your service account which is also premium licensed.

[Deenuji]

@DH2023 

Based on the provided screenshot, it appears that a premium license may be required to resolve this issue. I don't believe there is a problem with your operating system.

If your OS version does not support machine registration, it wouldn't display a machine registration link in the settings tab. Therefore, if it's showing, there should be no issue with the OS.

Additionally, you can click on the trial; you might receive a certain period to try all these features for free.

Once you obtain the trial or a paid premium license, you should register your machine. Then, your machine will appear in the Power Automate web portal under the 'Machines' tab. If your machine is shown as connected, you can then attempt to invoke flows from Power Automate cloud flows.

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

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[DH2023]

The screenshots are from my service account with a premium license. I am currently using this license to call cloud flows from PowerShell with is a premium feature so I know that this is working.