Power Automate Desktop License _hot_ -

| Scenario | Required License | |----------|------------------| | I manually click a button in a desktop app to copy files to a local folder. | (Windows license only) | | I want to schedule a desktop flow to run every night at 3 AM on a company VM. | 1 Unattended add-on (machine) + Power Automate Premium for the developer (if editing). | | My flow reads a PDF, extracts invoice numbers, and writes them to a SharePoint list while I work. | Power Automate Premium (per user – attended) | | A service account (no human) runs a flow every hour to check an SQL database and send email alerts. | 1 Unattended add-on + 1 Power Automate Premium (assigned to the service account or as per MS guidance). |

With the release of Windows 10 (specifically updates in late 2020) and all versions of Windows 11, the Power Automate Desktop client is "seeded" into the operating system. It appears as a built-in application.

Understanding the technical distinction between these two states is vital for compliance and architectural design.

Before comparing licenses, understand these terms: power automate desktop license

Includes one "attended" bot to run flows on your own machine.

To understand licensing, one must first understand the product's architectural split. Power Automate Desktop is not a monolithic application; it is a bridge between the local Windows OS and the Microsoft Cloud.

Employees who need to automate their own repetitive desktop tasks using legacy apps. Power Automate Process ($150 /bot/month) Formerly the "Per Flow" or "Unattended RPA" license. | | My flow reads a PDF, extracts

Understanding Power Automate Desktop Licensing: A Guide for Individuals and Organizations

You do not need to set up local hardware or your own VMs.

This is the model for true, enterprise-grade "lights-out" automation. | With the release of Windows 10 (specifically

However, the democratization of the tool has led to widespread confusion regarding its actual licensing requirements. While the application often comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, the right to execute automations—particularly within an enterprise environment—is governed by a complex matrix of subscription types, bot classifications (Attended vs. Unattended), and process limits.

This is the standard professional license for individual users. Run desktop flows while you work.