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Schedule Power automate Browser based flow in background

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Posted on by prashiss

Hi Experts,

Hope you are all doing good.

I have a requirement where I need to download certain file from some website on a daily basis on sertain time during the day.

I had achieve this functionality using PAD browser automation flow.

But whenever it runs it looks odd that opening browser when you are doing some other stuff....

So now i need to schedule this flow in Background
Please confirm if that is possible?

Thanks & Regards
Prashant

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Power Automate Desktop

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eetuRobo 4,587 Super User 2026 Season 2 on at

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You would need to run the flow in unattended mode. For that you need Power Automate Process -license that costs 150$/month and virtual machine to run the flow in the background.
https://powerautomate.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/
On the other hand just schedule the run to start when you know that you are not doing something (like in your lunch break or something).
CU16071609-1 6,255 Moderator on at

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Hi @prashiss

Yes that is possible. Power automate comes with two flavors of license model.

Please find the below table to understand the differences:

To enable background execution of your flow, you'll need to acquire two licenses: the Power Automate Premium license (which is user-based) for scheduling your flows, and the Power Automate Process license to designate your bot for unattended operation.

So total which costs = $15+$150 = $165 per month

Read more about licensing - Power Automate Pricing & Subscription Plans | Microsoft Power Automate

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

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VishnuReddy1997 2,666 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Unfortunately, running Power Automate Desktop (PAD) flows truly in the background while actively using your computer isn't directly possible.
You need use new option called Picture in Picture(PIP) as shown in below image,but it still in preview,so i dont recommend it to use as per now.

If your requirement demands truly hidden background execution, consider setting up the automation on a dedicated server or virtual machine. This allows the flow to run independently without impacting your primary computer.

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

Thanks & Regards
Vishnu Reddy
prashiss on at

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Thanks Vishnu. That is probably one solution to use dedicated server just for this solution.
I will keep exploring other way around to get it resolved.

Regards
Prashant
prashiss on at

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Thanks Deenuji.
But currently I am looking for a solution purely based on with in current license and actions we have available.

Regards
Prashant
VishnuReddy1997 2,666 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @prashiss ,

Once you got the solution ,Please mark it as a solution. So it will help others in future.

Regards,
Vishnu Reddy
pradeepvarma 55 on at

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As of current capabilities of PAD, If you want to use existing license (assuming it's a free / premium (attended) with no scheduling option), then you must use PIP mode.
Although its in Preview stage, it would get updates & stable version soon and it is the most recommended given your license constraints.
prashiss on at

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Thanks Deenuji. But I am looking for solution purely on the basis of what my current license provided.
No Premium license at this stage.
CU16071609-1 6,255 Moderator on at

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@prashiss

The only way to move forward is to run your bot in pip mode, which also requires premium or pay-as-you-go as a prerequisite.

You can find more information on PIP mode in the following link: - Run a desktop flow in picture-in picture - Power Automate | Microsoft Learn

Other than that, there are no other workarounds for your use case.

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

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If I've helped solve your query, kindly mark my response as the solution ✔ and give it a thumbs up!👍 Your feedback supports future seekers 🚀
prashiss on at

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Thanks Pradeep. My Flow is based on web browser automation and when I trigger this flow using PIP mode than also it is working in foreground(open the browser and so on...) while i need all these activities on background.