Is there a way to schedule and run a Power Automate Desktop flow from desktop itself without using cloud? [closed]

Question

I have created a desktop flow using Power Automate Desktop. But I cant schedule or make it run automatically. Is there any way to do so?

I don't wish using cloud flows and connecting Desktop flow using Gateways. I need to automatically run Desktop flows within my desktop machine itself. Any ways to achieve this?

Answer 1

Directly starting a PA desktop flow using windows scheduler is not possible. However, workaround suggested by Lars Hadidi is doable.

First of all Create a Loop Index and make all your PA desktop flow actions to reside in it and Create an action 'Wait for Process' to wait for a harmless program like cmd.exe or ping.exe in you PAD flow.

Now, follow the below steps

1. Schedule a Basic Task in Windows scheduler to invoke the exe that you have mentioned in 'Wait for Process' step above. Decide the schedule based on your requirement.
2. Now start the flow and keep it in start mode.
3. The flow will stop at the first step 'Wait for Process'
4. Only when the scheduler will start the process, the flow will move ahead.
5. The process will execute and the loop index will come back to the 'Wait for Process' step and will go further only when the scheduler is run next.

Make sure that you are not invoking the scheduled exe as part of any other work.