Power BI is a collection of software, or you can say Software Suite. Hence, you need to install the whole package to set up a full data visualization network across your large organization.
However, purchasing and setting up all the chunks is unnecessary if you are a newbie to this technology or getting started with this entire data-modeling thing. You only need one application, “Microsoft Power BI Desktop” to start learning visualization.
You can also create understandable and visually appealing reports for your client who publish them across his organization network by Power BI Desktop.
Read Features of Power BI.
Supported Operating System for Power BI Desktop
The operating systems that can support the latest Power BI are
- Windows 8.1, Windows 10
- Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2 and later
Power BI needs Internet explorer version 11 or higher and is available for 64-bit (x64) platforms. Read the minimal system requirements for the latest Power BI Desktop here.
Ways to Install Power BI Desktop
You can install Power BI in one of two ways.
- Installing it from the Windows Store
- Installing it from Direct Download
When you go to the installation link here, you will see that they give you two choices, either “Download Free” or “See Download or Language options.”
Clicking Download Free will redirect you to the Windows app store. Whereas choosing See Download or Language options will lead you to download it via external links.
In the longer run, we recommend you download the Power BI Desktop using the Windows store.
Why use Windows Store?
Windows store works the same way as Google or Apple store you have in your mobile phones. It updates the apps regularly. Thus, downloading Microsoft Power BI Desktop from the Windows store will cut you the time to update it manually.
Haven’t done it this way; you have to install it every time a new and important update comes.
It can make up to 12 times just in one year! (Given that Microsoft updates once a month, which is not possible as they release bug fixes more than once.)
Downloading Power BI Desktop
From the Microsoft Store
You need to follow the following steps to install the desktop version from Microsoft Store
Step 1: Click on https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/desktop/ and select the option “Download Free.”
Step 2: Choose “Open Microsoft Store” when it asks for permission. This will open the Power BI installation page from the Microsoft store.
Step 3: Now click on “Get”
Now you may get eager to download few updates before time as downloading the software is on schedule. For that, you need to go to the store’s settings and set “Get Updates” to be notified as soon as Microsoft releases updates.
Moreover, update Power BI as per your company’s policies. It may be a part of a bigger sharing network, and updates may cause problems on a larger scale.
From Direct Link
You will follow these steps to download the Power BI desktop directly from the browser.
Step 1: Click on https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/desktop/ and select the option “See Download or Language Options.” This will pop up a new window.
Step 2: Choose the language and click on “Download.”
Step 3: Select the .exe file you want to install according to your processor. Click on “Install” at the bottom of the page.
Installing Power BI
After you have installed the Power BI Desktop setup, you will perform the following steps.
Step 1: Select Language and click on Next.
Step 2: You will see the following screen, Click Next
Step 3: Read and accept the license terms. Then click on Next.
Step 4: Select your destination folder to install and click Next
Step 5: Click on “Install”
And there, you have your Power BI Desktop ready to get you creating reports and dashboards.
About the Author:
Arsala Zahid is a Software Engineering graduate and a passionate content writer. She aims to make these technologies easy to learn so that you get motivated to gain a skill up your sleeve.
