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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Automate / Migrating desktop flow...
Power Automate
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Migrating desktop flows between environments - is it really this bad?

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I have a cloud flow in a solution that calls two desktop flows and I'm just realizing that solutions don't seem to recognize desktop flows.  When I exported my solution and tried to import it, I got a message saying that I'd need to create the desktop flows in the target environment.  It seems the only way to do this is to create new desktop flows, then cut and paste all actions from the existing flows to the new ones, which isn't too bad, but all variables and subflows have to be created from scratch as well.  Is this really the case?

 

What do others do to initially migrate desktop flows from a test to a production environment?  Then to migrate any code changes, it seems I'd have to delete all the actions in the prod flow and re-paste them from the test flow, making sure to manually create any new variables and/or subflows, including any code changes in subflows.

 

Is it really this bad?  Simple flows, no biggie, but this one's pretty complicated, with a number of variables and subflows.

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  • Verified answer
    Deenuji_Loganathan_ Profile Picture
    6,250 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    @Ukiman1014 

     

    As per the best practices, If you already have solution which contains cloud flows then just add your two desktop flows then export and migrate across the environment.

     

    Please refer the below screenshot, Credential_Test is my solution name. You can click on the Add existing and add you desktop flows.

    Deenuji_0-1715187045382.png

    Then it will open popup like below where you can search you desktop flows and add your solution and export and import from prod environment.

    Deenuji_1-1715187185708.png

     

     

    Copy/Paste approach would be ok for testing purpose or exploring some use cases i wouldn't recommend you to follow that from test to prod movement.

     

    You can refer how copy/paste the flows between environment - How to Copy/Paste Power Automate Desktop flows to another computer? 

     

     

    Please let me know in case if you have any queries.


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

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  • Riyaz_riz11 Profile Picture
    3,891 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

    HI @Ukiman1014 ,

     

    Whenever cloud flow integrated and if contains desktop flow, you need to be add both cloud and desktop flow, and add all dependencies into solution.

     

    If I have answered your question, please mark it as the preferred solution. If you like my response, please give it a Thumbs Up.

    Regards,
    Riyaz

  • Ukiman1014 Profile Picture
    on at

    Ah, thanks!  This is the first time I've tried to bring a flow into a solution that included desktop flows, and I didn't understand how to bring them in.  I appreciate your help!

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