Skip to main content

Notifications

Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id : LBmyHRFzpFU4xxMQnE6B1Q
Power Automate - Power Automate Desktop
Unanswered

Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

Like (5) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on 18 Mar 2021 15:29:53 by 48

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

  • nicholaslim1 Profile Picture
    16 on 08 Nov 2023 at 01:33:33
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    Awesome! its working perfectly now. Thank you

  • kinuasa Profile Picture
    781 Most Valuable Professional on 07 Nov 2023 at 06:13:45
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?
    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".

     

  • nicholaslim1 Profile Picture
    16 on 07 Nov 2023 at 06:01:14
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    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.

    nicholaslim1_0-1699336795911.png

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

  • jdebatty Profile Picture
    7 on 29 Jun 2023 at 08:05:05
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    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. đꤗ This flow will launch at each PC Startup. 

    It can't get easier.

     

  • MichaelAnnis Profile Picture
    5,721 Super User 2025 Season 1 on 17 May 2022 at 02:56:53
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    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. 

  • LanceKemp Profile Picture
    4 on 17 May 2022 at 01:11:43
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

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

  • Daniel_Pa Profile Picture
    244 on 24 Sep 2021 at 13:12:53
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    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..

  • adeshas Profile Picture
    3 on 21 Sep 2021 at 22:09:28
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    this should be the main functionality especially for cloud services. 

  • fraenK Profile Picture
    2,125 on 20 Mar 2021 at 11:50:37
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

    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.

  • Tonyc_Water Profile Picture
    48 on 20 Mar 2021 at 11:36:28
    Re: Start Flows automatically with Windows boot / at PC Startup?

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

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Understanding Microsoft Agents - Introductory Session

Confused about how agents work across the Microsoft ecosystem? Register today!

Warren Belz – Community Spotlight

We are honored to recognize Warren Belz as our May 2025 Community…

Congratulations to the April Top 10 Community Stars!

Thanks for all your good work in the Community!

Leaderboard > Power Automate - Power Automate Desktop

#1
eetuRobo Profile Picture

eetuRobo 11 Super User 2025 Season 1

#2
KO-05050229-0 Profile Picture

KO-05050229-0 4

#3
stampcoin Profile Picture

stampcoin 2

Overall leaderboard