Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

[Tonyc_Water]

Hi all,

I hope you can help me. I use PAD on my Windows 10 Desktop PC.

I want my flows to start automatically with windows, without me having to start them all manually with the Play Button after every reboot.

Is there any option for this?! Maybe even just a possibility to start flows with a CMD command, so that I can do it myself?

I read somewhere that as a workaround you can use a script on the computer that will run at startup and call a flow with a Request trigger. I'm not quite sure how this would work and if it was an answer to my specific question or to another situation I misunderstood as mine. But if this is the way, I would appreciate some more infos about it, maybe an example.


Greetings
Tonyc

[fraenK]

Currently, you can only trigger a desktop flow from a cloud flow or manually. Starting a flow through the command line doesn't seem to work: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Automate-Ideas/Schedule-Power-Automate-Desktop-from-within...

[Tonyc_Water]

This is ridiculous that they didn't think of this. How can you not think of an Auto Start functionality in an automation tool!?

[fraenK]

I guess it's due to the migration from WinAutomation to Power Automate Desktop. The original product had its own trigger, scheduling and command line functionality.

[adeshas]

this should be the main functionality especially for cloud services. 

[Daniel_Pa]

My guess is, since PAD is free and Microsoft is a corporation, which is actually trying to make money - they have a desire to actually generate revenue through a product. A product which also has expenses related to it, through the maintenance and continuous development.

Thus, to not give it out completely free, they have added the trigger and schedule functionality as paid services, through different subscriptions.

There are both free and open source alternatives on the market, if the economical benefit of PAD does not compensate for the expenses related to the subscriptions. There is even the option to use CODE to automate processes yourself.

I think the pricing on the product is extremely competitive, when you take into account the usability and community around it. It's hard to understand why anyone would think a product like this would be free.

But if the subscription is too steep or the functionality lacking, take a look at OpenRPA or perhaps look into Python. You should be able to achieve the same AND run them offline, you'll probably just have to pour in more time and effort..

[LanceKemp]

Thank you for a possible alternate solution and not just "it can't be done"   Cheers

[MichaelAnnis]

I don’t know which ones will let you run command line activation for free. But if you find one. It’s possible you could just use the command line to manipulate PAD. So, let’s say you find out RoboCorp can, but you don’t want to learn RoboCorp, or it’s missing functionality you need. Use RoboCorp to open PAD and run the flow. 

[jdebatty]

Hey All! 

There is a really simple way of doing this : 

Prerequisites: 

• The user must be signed in.
• The user needs a trial or paid organization subscription or a pay-as-you-go environment.

1. Create a desktop shortcut to your flow like this: 
   1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/desktop-flows/run-desktop-flows-url-shortcuts
2. Then drop it in your startup menu wich should be there: 
   1. C:\Users\[USERID]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Tadaaa you're done. 🤗 This flow will launch at each PC Startup. 

It can't get easier.

[nicholaslim1]

thank you! can confirm that works well.

i am facing an issue though, it runs upon startup but i have to manually click 'continue' for the flow to run. Same thing if i double click the desktop shortcut.

Wondering if there is a way to auto run without needing confirmation

[kinuasa]

i am facing an issue though, it runs upon startup but i have to manually click 'continue' for the flow to run. Same thing if i double click the desktop shortcut.

Please disable the option to "Display confirmation dialog when invoking flows externally".

• Run desktop flows via URL or desktop shortcuts
  https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-automate/desktop-flows/run-desktop-flows-url-shortcuts?WT.mc...

[nicholaslim1]

Awesome! its working perfectly now. Thank you