Create a new cloud flow

  • 5 minutes

Now that you established a connection to your desktop and built a desktop flow, it's time to build a cloud flow with which to connect. Cloud flows are stored and run on the cloud, as opposed to desktop flows, which are stored and run on a desktop. Cloud flows have the advantage of hundreds of predefined connections with thousands of triggers and actions at your disposal. However, desktop flows can work in desktop programs without a predefined connection or existing actions. Both flows have their benefits. By combining these two types of flows, you gain the benefits of both.

Watch the following demo video of the steps that you complete in this exercise.

To begin creating your cloud flow, open Power Automate and select My flows > Cloud flows.

Next, select New flow > Instant cloud flow.

Screenshot of the New flow and Instant cloud flow options.

Name your flow: Manually trigger Desktop flow to launch Edge

Select the Manually trigger a flow option and then select Create.

When the screen changes to the flow builder, select the plus icon below the trigger to Insert a new step / Add an action and then search for and select Run a flow built with Power Automate for desktop.

Create connection

In the new step, you must first create a new connection. Fill in the fields as follows:

  • Connection Name: Local_Desktop
  • Connect: Connect with username and password
  • Machine Or Machine Group: [select the Machine name of your desktop]
  • Domain And Username: [format is either your domain\username -or- username@domain.com]
  • Password: [the password for the entered username]

Important

The domain and username are for the machine that you're using to host your desktop flows. They may not be the same as your Microsoft account. If you're using Windows, you can using the Windows Command Prompt with the command: whoami can help you understand the Domain and Username. The Password is whatever password you use to log in to the machine.

Select Sign in to complete the connection.

Complete the flow

In the Desktop flow dropdown menu, select + Create a new desktop flow.

Screenshot of the Create a new desktop flow action.

In the Build a desktop flow window, add the same flow name, and then select Launch app.

Screenshot of the Build a desktop flow window with the Name field and the Launch app button.

This action automatically adds the new flow in Power Automate for desktop and opens another window with the flow that's currently editing.

Screenshot of the opened desktop flow.

Under Actions, search for launch and then select Launch new Microsoft Edge.

Screenshot of the Launch new Microsoft Edge button.

In Initial URL, add https://make.powerautomate.microsoft.com (or the URL for a website of your choice) and then select Save.

Select the Save button in the command bar, and then close the window.