This is the step most users miss. You have downloaded the Desktop app, but it is currently running in "Free" mode. To unlock collaboration, sharing, and 8x daily refreshes, you must connect your Pro license.
Click "Publish" in Desktop. Email the cloud link to your manager. They open it on their phone, impressed. You are now the office data hero. microsoft power bi pro desktop download
Pro licenses allow you to implement RLS. For example, if you have a report showing sales across 50 states, a Pro license lets you ensure that a manager in Texas only sees Texas data when they view the shared dashboard, despite the master dataset containing all states. This is the step most users miss
Microsoft Power BI Desktop is a free application you can install on your local computer that lets you connect to, transform, and visualize your data. While there isn't a separate "Pro" version of the Desktop software itself, a is what enables you to share and collaborate on the reports you create within the Power BI Service. 📥 Download Options Click "Publish" in Desktop
: Visit the Official Microsoft Download Center to get the .exe installer. This is useful for IT administrators who need to manage versions manually, though it requires manual updates each month. Review: Microsoft Power BI Pro (2026 Edition)
Pro allows you to share dashboards and reports with other Pro users securely through the Power BI Service Automatic Refresh: