Microsoft Power Automate

Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft Power Automate
Developer	Microsoft
Release	November 2016; 9 years ago (as Microsoft Flow)
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows
Windows	October 2026 Update (11.2610.155) / October 14, 2026; 10 days ago
Microsoft Edge	2.73 (Build 36) / September 27, 2026; 27 days ago
Android (discontinued)	3.0.986 / August 31, 2026; 54 days ago
iOS (discontinued)	3.0.986 / August 31, 2026; 54 days ago
Operating system	Windows 10, 11
Type	Task automation
License	Proprietary software
Website	www.microsoft.com/power-platform/products/power-automate

Microsoft Power Automate, previously known as Microsoft Flow until November 2019, is a SaaS platform by Microsoft for optimizing and automating workflows and business processes. It is part of the Microsoft Power Platform line of products, which include Power Apps and Power BI.

History

On November 1, 2016, Microsoft Flow (now Microsoft Power Automate) became generally available. Similar to services like IFTTT and Zapier, users could connect between cloud apps and services with automated workflows known as flows.

On November 4, 2019, Microsoft announced a rebranding of Microsoft Flow to Microsoft Power Automate and its inclusion in Microsoft Power Platform with a shift from solely workflows to also include business processes. At the same time, a number of new functions were announced, including robotic process automation (RPA) capabilities.

In 2020, Microsoft acquired Softomotive, the makers of ProcessRobot and WinAutomation, to further expand the capabilities in Power Automate.

In 2022, Microsoft acquired Minit to further expand its process mining capabilities in Power Automate.

Flows

Power Automate allows users to create automated workflows, called "flows", that connect multiple applications and services. Flows can be triggered via events, run on a schedule, or manually started. Common tasks performed by flows include data collection, notifications, emailing, and synchronization between services. Flows can be created using a graphical user interface without coding. Alternatively, they can be customized using advanced expressions and logic for complex automation.

Types of flows

Automated flows: Triggered by events in connected applications, such as receiving an email or updating a record.
Instant flows: Manually triggered by a user, often via a button in the Power Automate interface or mobile app.
Scheduled flows: Run at predefined times or intervals to automate repetitive tasks.
Business process flows: Guide users through a series of steps to ensure consistency in business processes.
Desktop flows: Use robotic process automation (RPA) to automate tasks on local machines or virtual environments.

References

↑ "Power Automate for desktop - Build 2610". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
↑ "Power Automate". Microsoft Apps. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
↑ "Microsoft Power Automate". Microsoft Edge. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
↑ "Power Automate". Google Play. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
↑ "Power Automate 3.0.986". APKMirror. August 31, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
↑ "Power Automate". App Store. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
↑ Microsoft Flow becomes Power Automate and other Cool Features from Microsoft Ignite 2019 - Carl de Souza
↑ "What Are Microsoft Power Pages and Express Design?". PCMAG. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
↑ Microsoft PowerApps and Flow are generally available starting tomorrow - The Official Microsoft Blog
↑ James Phillips (2019-11-04). "Announcing RPA, enhanced security, no-code virtual agents, and more for Microsoft Power Platform". Microsoft Cloud Blog. Microsoft. Retrieved 2020-03-26.
↑ "Microsoft acquires Softomotive to expand low-code robotic process automation capabilities in Microsoft Power Automate". powerautomate.microsoft.com. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
↑ Graham, Justin (2022-03-31). "Microsoft acquires Minit to strengthen process mining capabilities". The Official Microsoft Blog. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
↑ "Introduction to desktop flows". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved 2026-03-03.

External links

Official website

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[1] "Power Automate for desktop - Build 2610". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

[2] "Power Automate". Microsoft Apps. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

[3] "Microsoft Power Automate". Microsoft Edge. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

[4] "Power Automate". Google Play. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

[5] "Power Automate 3.0.986". APKMirror. August 31, 2026. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

[6] "Power Automate". App Store. Retrieved October 15, 2026.

[7] Microsoft Flow becomes Power Automate and other Cool Features from Microsoft Ignite 2019 - Carl de Souza

[8] "What Are Microsoft Power Pages and Express Design?". PCMAG. Retrieved 2025-01-06.

[9] Microsoft PowerApps and Flow are generally available starting tomorrow - The Official Microsoft Blog

[10] James Phillips (2019-11-04). "Announcing RPA, enhanced security, no-code virtual agents, and more for Microsoft Power Platform". Microsoft Cloud Blog. Microsoft. Retrieved 2020-03-26.

[11] "Microsoft acquires Softomotive to expand low-code robotic process automation capabilities in Microsoft Power Automate". powerautomate.microsoft.com. Retrieved 2024-01-25.

[12] Graham, Justin (2022-03-31). "Microsoft acquires Minit to strengthen process mining capabilities". The Official Microsoft Blog. Retrieved 2024-01-25.

[13] "Introduction to desktop flows". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved 2026-03-03.