In this article, we will learn how to deploy the Power Automate Package as a Win32 app using Microsoft Intune. You can use the same method to deploy any application, including .exe, .msi, and .ps1 files. The deployment occurs in the background, ensuring that the end user is not interrupted.
Microsoft Intune deploys Win32 applications using the Intune Management Extension (IME), which is automatically installed when a PowerShell script or Win32 app is assigned to a user or device. This ensures seamless application deployment and management within the Intune framework.
We will use the Win32 Content Prep Tool to convert application installation files into the .intunewin format, which will be used to create an installer for deploying Power Automate in Intune. You can easily repackage apps using Intune win32 packaging without prior packaging skills. It’s as simple as zipping a folder.
When it comes to deploying applications, Win32 application deployment is a versatile option that caters to both 32-bit and 64-bit applications. With the ability to deploy x86 and x64 bit applications, the Intune Win32 App deployment is a powerful tool allowing seamless application deployment across various systems and architectures.
Table of Contents
Know More about Power Automate
Power Automate is Microsoft’s low-code platform intended to help you automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows across applications and services. It’s part of the broader Power Platform and is particularly effective when integrated with tools like SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, and even third-party services such as Twitter, Salesforce and GitHub.
Originally it was launched in 2016 as Microsoft Flow, the service was rebranded in November 2019 as Power Automate to better align with the broader Power Platform, an ecosystem that includes Power BI, Power Apps, and Power Virtual Agents.
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With Power Automate, you can drag and drop components to automate repetitive tasks and save valuable time. It’s a flexible and scalable platform, making it ideal for a wide range of automation needs in your daily life. To get started, simply sign up using your email address before creating your workflows.
Types of Power Automate Flows
Power Automate primarily offers three types of flows that can be leveraged to automate routine tasks in your daily operations. Each flow type is tailored to specific scenarios and can function independently or in conjunction with others to streamline processes. The table below provides a detailed overview of the different types of flows. Special thanks to Microsoft for compiling this information.
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| Types of Flows | Description |
|---|---|
| Cloud Flows | Create a cloud flow when you want your automation to be triggered either automatically, instantly, or via a schedule. (e.g., when a new item is added to SharePoint). |
| Desktop Flow (RPA) | Use desktop flows to automate tasks on the web or the desktop. Desktop apps that don’t have APIs. |
| Generative actions | Use generative actions in your flow if you want to specify only the intent of the action and then have the AI choose the right set of actions in the right order based on your input, context, and intent. |
Additionally it offers Process mining and Copilot Integration. The Process Mining analyze how processes run in your organization and identify areas for improvement. And, Copilot Integration Use natural language to describe what you want to automate, and Power Automate will help build it for you.
Prepare Win32 App Installation Source
We need a Win32 application source of Power Automate to be created to install it on the devices. You can download the Win32 app packaging tool from GitHub that converts the application installation files into the .intunewin format.
We will go through a step-by-step guide for installing and configuring the Win32 app packaging tool tool. Before you preparing Win32 App Installation Source, download the latest version of Power Automate for desktop to proceed further. Save the file to your machine. I have downloaded the set up file to E:\PowerAutomate folder.
- Download the Win32 app packaging tool from GitHub
- You can create a directory on your computer by making a folder.
- Copy the Win32 app packaging tool and paste it into the folder where you saved the Power Automate for desktop setup file.
Execute the Win32 app packaging tool (intuneWinAppUtil.exe). The tool will prompt for source and output folders and the setup file, which in this case is Setup.Microsoft.PowerAutomate.exe.
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.\IntuneWinAppUtil.exe
Please specify the source folder: "E:\PowerAutomate"
Please specify the setup file: Setup.Microsoft.PowerAutomate.exe
Please specify the output folder: "E:\PowerAutomate"
Do you want to specify catalog folder (Y/N)?Y
Please specify the catalog folder: E:\PowerAutomate
It will create the wrapped File with the extension “Intunewin”. The Setup.Microsoft.PowerAutomate.intunewin file is compressed and encrypted with a SHA256 hash.
How to Add the Power Automate Package to Intune as Win32 App
Please follow the instructions below for the Windows app (Win32) using Intune. The Intunewin file you created above will be used here to create the app.
- Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center
- Select Apps > All Apps> Create, or you can navigate to Apps > Windows > Windows Apps.
- Select Windows app (Win32) under the Other app types and click Select on the Select app type panel.
Click the Select App package file button in the Add App wizard, then browse for the previously created intunewin File using the Win32 app packaging tool.
Click OK to continue. Update the app information, such as Name, Description, Publisher, Category, Logo, etc. and click Next. I recommend always providing a meaningful description on the app information page.
On the next page, you can add the commands to Install and Uninstall. Choose System or User for Install behaviour, and specify Device restart and Post-installation behaviour. Click Next to continue.
- Install Command : Setup.Microsoft.PowerAutomate.exe -Silent -Install -ACCEPTEULA
- Uninstall Command : Setup.Microsoft.PowerAutomate.exe -Silent -Uninstall
NOTE: You must include the "-ACCEPTEULA" argument to indicate that you accept the terms and conditions for Power Automate.You can use additional command-line arguments to customize the installation process. The table below lists the available commands along with their descriptions. This may help you tailor a silent installation command line to your needs.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| -INSTALLPATH:Value | Specify the full path of the installation folder that will be created. Default: %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Power Automate |
| –ALLOWOPTIONALDATACOLLECTION | Enables sending optional usage data to Microsoft. |
| -DISABLEPADSHORTCUT | Doesn’t create a shortcut for Power Automate for desktop. |
| -DISABLETURNONRDP | Doesn’t turn on Remote Desktop on the machine. |
| -ACCEPTEULA | Accepts the end user license agreement needed for the installation. |
| -RESTOREDEFAULTCONFIG | Restores to the default installation settings during an upgrade. |
| -DONOTINSTALLPAD | Doesn’t install Power Automate for desktop. |
| -DONOTINSTALLMACHINERUNTIME | Doesn’t install Power Automate machine-runtime app. |
| -SKIPINSTALLINGJAVAAUTOMATION | Doesn’t install files that are required for enabling UI automation in Java applets. |
| -SKIPENABLEPIPMODE | Doesn’t enable Picture-in-Picture run mode on the machine. |
| -SKIPGATEWAYSUPPORT | Doesn’t install certificates or start the http server required for use with the on-premises data gateway. |
| -ADDGATEWAYSUPPORT | Re-enables on-premises data gateway support after it has been disabled with the SKIPGATEWAYSUPPORT parameter. |
You can set mandatory device requirements on the Requirements page before updating. When creating a Win32 application, you can choose from built-in and custom requirement rules. Explore Intune Win32 App Requirement Rules.
- Operating system architecture: Choose the architectures needed to install the app.
- Minimum operating system: Select the minimum operating system needed to install the app.
Click Next to proceed further. You can configure the Detection rule on the next page. Select Manually configure detection rule.
| Rule Type | Description |
|---|---|
| MSI | This detection rule detects the application installation based on the MSI product key or version check |
| File | This detection rule detects the application installation based on the MSI product key or version check. |
| Registry | This registry-based win32 app detection rule verifies the application’s existence based on the Windows registry key, value existence, string, Integer or version comparison. |
I will use the File as a Rule type and the File or folder as a Detection method in this example. The Path is C:\Program Files (x86) and the File or folder is Power Automate Desktop.
Click Next, and you’ll be prompted to configure Dependencies and the Supersedence. I’m not configuring it in this example. Add the Scope tags if you wish and click Next to assign the policy to computers. I’ll make the deployment as Required and deploy it to the test group.
On the next page, carefully review all the settings that you have defined to Install Power Automate on Windows Devices using Intune. Once you have confirmed that everything is correct, select Create to deploy the application.
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Monitor Deployment from the Intune Portal
The Power Automate application has been deployed to the Test Group. The installation should take place as soon as possible on the client device Since it’s deployed in Required mode. The installation status can be monitored from the Intune portal.
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Monitor Deployment from the Client Side
The app will be automatically installed after deploying the Power Automate package to workstations since it was marked as a required deployment. You may wonder how to monitor the deployment from the client side.
Open the Company Portal on the workstation and navigate to Download & Updates. The Power Automate should be visible as installed.
The IntuneManagementExtension.log will also help you track the Intune Management extension component events. The Intune management extension is the client-side tool for managing MDM Intune Win 32 app deployment.
NOTE: The IntuneManagementExtension.log file can be located in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\IntuneManagementExtension\Logs.I trust that this article will significantly benefit you and your organization. I appreciate your patience in reading this post. I look forward to seeing you in the next post. Keep supporting the HTMD Community.
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Author
About the Author: Sujin Nelladath, a Microsoft Graph MVP with over 11 years of experience in SCCM device management and Automation solutions, writes and shares his experiences with Microsoft device management technologies, Azure, DevOps and PowerShell automation.