Download function on PowerApps for Desktop - Windows

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Posted on 7 Dec 2019 09:21:59 by Brice235i

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Hi, someone asked me this question yesterday, and I'm sure there is an easy answer, but I need to help to find it!

There is the download button in the top banner of the web browser player. When we click this, we are directed to the Microsoft store, likely being prompted to install the legacy PowerApps for Windows Desktop app. However I believe our company has blocked it... not sure. We get to the shopfront and no further. The user believes he needs to download the desktop app to play apps when he is offline. I'm surprised, as I thought this version was being deprecated... maybe only authoring is deprecated and he is correct in that he needs the desktop app to play apps offline? If so I will endeavour to ensure we can download from the store. Just don't want to advertise this if the product is being discontinued. Perhaps offline access is meant only for the mobile app?

Anyone know? Thank you

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Brice235i 630 on 07 Dec 2019 at 13:02:07

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Re: Download function on PowerApps for Desktop - Windows

Thank you very much! Really appreciate it.
The app will be used in outback Australia, at times, no coverage. Is an audit app for maintenance of mining infrastructure. Hopefully not too often offline, but the app is being built to capture the data and sync to the database when back online. You raise a good point. It would be unlikely a user will take a laptop as opposed to mobile device. Thanks again!
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mdevaney 29,987 Super User 2025 Season 1 on 07 Dec 2019 at 11:45:53

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Re: Download function on PowerApps for Desktop - Windows

@Brice235i

I would stay away from PowerApps Studio desktop edition.

PowerApps can be accessed inside any web browser. There is no need to install a desktop client. Once installed it just becomes another piece of software to manage taking away your time to do other things. The desktop version was originally created because authoring apps in the browser did not used to be a great experience but now everything works great.

Offline mode is primarily meant primarily for mobile phones travelling in-and-out of celluar coverage. Even then coding offline capabilities into apps introduces new technical challenges so its not something you should be doing for every app especially if it will only be used on a desktop computer.

Another question is "what value would the app have to your user when it is not online?" The user will not be able to connect to any new information in the database nor will then be able to write to it eliminating most reasons for usage.

I would also wonder how frequently the user's computer is really offline?

You are correct: the desktop version of PowerApps has been deprecated for app creation. All app authoring and editing must be done via the web version of PowerApps Studio. https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/powerapps-studio-for-the-web-is-generally-available-for-production-use/

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