'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Back Up Power Automate Desktop Flows Before Uninstalling
Question details
The user needs to back up or export their existing Power Automate Desktop flows to prevent data loss when uninstalling the MSI version and switching to the Microsoft Store version.
- Product
- Microsoft Power Automate Desktop
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Uninstalling the MSI version of Power Automate Desktop and transitioning to the Microsoft Store version while preserving complex automated flows.
- Observed behavior
- The user is looking for a reliable and expert-approved method to export and store their flows to ensure they are available after the reinstallation.
Ensure you are signed into your Microsoft account with an active internet connection, as Power Automate Desktop flows are natively synced to your cloud Dataverse environment.
Verify Cloud Sync and Export via the Power Automate Portal
Because desktop flows are saved to the Microsoft Dataverse environment linked to your account, you can verify their existence and export physical backups from the web portal.
Power Automate Desktop does not store flows exclusively on your local hard drive. Instead, it synchronizes them with your Microsoft cloud environment. Before uninstalling the desktop application, checking the web portal ensures your flows are safely synced.
Open your web browser and sign in to the official Power Automate web portal using the same Microsoft account associated with your Power Automate Desktop app.
Click on 'My flows' in the left-hand navigation menu, then select the 'Desktop flows' tab at the top of the page.
Check the list to ensure all your complex flows are present. If they appear here, they are safely backed up in the cloud and will be available when you sign into the Microsoft Store version.
To create a physical backup, click the three dots (More commands) next to the flow you wish to back up, select 'Export', and choose the '.zip' package option to download it to your computer.
Copy Flow Actions to a Local Text File
For a quick and highly localized backup of a specific complex flow, you can copy the raw action scripts directly into a text editor.
Consult the Power Automate Community for Enterprise Setups
If you are working within a complex enterprise environment with strict data loss prevention policies, consulting Microsoft specialists is recommended before uninstalling.
Enhance Your Productivity with WPS Office
While you are securing your Power Automate workflows, consider optimizing your daily document management. WPS Office is a highly compatible, feature-rich alternative to Microsoft Office that offers powerful word processing, spreadsheet analysis, and presentations in a single lightweight application.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your Windows device.
- 3. Open and create: Launch WPS Office to immediately start working with your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my desktop flows if I uninstall the Power Automate Desktop MSI version?
Generally, no. Desktop flows are automatically synced and saved to the Microsoft Dataverse environment in your cloud account. However, you should always verify they are visible in the Power Automate web portal before proceeding with the uninstallation.
Can I export multiple Power Automate Desktop flows simultaneously?
Currently, Microsoft Power Automate requires you to export flows individually as .zip packages from the web portal. There is no native bulk export button for desktop flows.
What is the difference between the MSI and Microsoft Store versions of Power Automate Desktop?
The core automation features are identical. The primary difference is update management: the Microsoft Store version updates automatically in the background, while the MSI version requires manual updates or enterprise deployment tools (like SCCM).
How do I import my backed-up flows after installing the new version?
To restore an exported flow, log into the Power Automate web portal, navigate to 'My flows', click 'Import' at the top of the page, and upload the .zip file you previously exported.
