2. Installation and Interface Tour
2.1 Installing Power BI Desktop
Power BI Desktop runs on Windows only (Windows 10 or later). Mac users usually run it through a Windows virtual machine or a cloud PC. There are two ways to install it:
| Option | How | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Store (recommended) | Open Microsoft Store, search "Power BI Desktop", click Get/Install | Updates automatically every month |
| Download Center | Download the installer (PBIDesktopSetup_x64.exe) from the Microsoft website |
Useful where the Store is blocked; you must update manually |
Aata he bagha: after installation, open Power BI Desktop. You may be asked to sign in – signing in is optional for Desktop work, pan required when you publish to the Service.
Keep Desktop updated
Microsoft releases a new version of Power BI Desktop every month with new features. Menus sometimes move slightly between versions. If a button in this guide is not exactly where described, look in the neighbouring ribbon tab or use the search box at the top of the Desktop window.
Preview features
New features first appear under File › Options and settings › Options › Preview features. You can switch them on to try them, pan avoid depending on preview features in production reports.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
Mitrano, khup students install Power BI Desktop from both the Microsoft Store and the download page and end up with two versions. Pick one (the Store version updates automatically) and uninstall the other. Also make sure your Desktop version is recent enough to open files your colleagues send you. Ghabru naka, don-teen vela kela ki savay hote.