Where is Power BI Desktop Installed?

Finding the installation folder for Power BI Desktop should be simple, but it can be surprisingly complicated. Depending on how you installed the application, the files could be in one of two very different locations. This guide will show you exactly how to locate your Power BI Desktop installation path, whether you downloaded it from the Microsoft Store or directly from the Power BI website.

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Why You Might Need to Find the Installation Folder

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." You might not need to access this folder often, but when you do, it's usually for a specific, important reason. Knowing the location is helpful for:

• Installing External Tools: Tools like DAX Studio, Tabular Editor, or ALM Toolkit need to know where your Power BI executable (PBIDesktop.exe) is located to integrate properly. While many modern installers find this automatically, some require you to point them to the correct directory.
• Setting Up Custom Connectors: If you're working with third-party or custom-built data connectors, you'll need to place the connector files (.pqx, .m, or .mez) in a specific subfolder within your Power BI user documents, but knowing the main installation path helps for general troubleshooting.
• Applying Custom Visuals or Themes at Scale: While a less common practice now, some developers or administrators place certified custom visuals or default JSON theme files directly into specific subfolders to make them available across all new reports.
• Troubleshooting and Version Checks: Sometimes, support technicians or IT staff need the exact installation path to diagnose performance issues, check permissions, or confirm the version number of the PBIDesktop.exe file. It helps ensure you're running the version you think you are.
• Creating Scripts and Automation: If you are an administrator creating scripts to automate certain tasks or enforce IT policies, having the direct path to the executable is often necessary to launch or manage the application programmatically.

The Two Installation Methods: Store vs. Website

The root of all confusion comes from the two different ways you can install Power BI Desktop on a Windows machine. The method you chose determines the entire process for finding the files.

1. The Microsoft Store Version: This is the recommended method for most users. It ensures you get automatic updates in the background, keeping you on the latest monthly release without any manual effort. However, Microsoft Store apps are installed in a protected and hidden system folder that you can't easily browse to.
2. The Direct Download (.exe or .msi): This is the classic method where you download an executable or an MSI installer file directly from the Microsoft Power BI website. It gives you more control over the installation process and is often preferred by IT administrators who need to deploy the software across multiple machines. Its installation folder is typically a standard, easy-to-find location.

If you aren't sure which version you have, a quick clue is to check your updates. If Power BI updates automatically without you doing anything, you likely have the Store version. If you have to manually download and run an installer each month, you have the direct download version.

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How to Find Power BI if Installed from the Microsoft Store

If you have the Microsoft Store version, finding the installation folder is not straightforward. Windows manages these apps in a sandboxed, protected environment to enhance security and stability. The folder, named WindowsApps, is hidden and locked down by default.

You cannot simply open File Explorer and navigate to it. Even if you show hidden files and folders, you'll run into permission issues that prevent access. Don't try to change the permissions on this folder, as it can break your installed apps and destabilize your system.

The safest and most reliable way to find the exact location is by using PowerShell.

Step-by-Step Guide with PowerShell

PowerShell is a command-line tool built into Windows that gives you deep access to system settings. Using a simple command, you can ask Windows to tell you exactly where it installed the app.

1. Open PowerShell: Click the Start button and type "PowerShell." You don’t necessarily need to run it as an administrator for this command, but it's a good habit. Select "Windows PowerShell" from the search results.
2. Copy and Paste the Command: In the PowerShell window that appears, paste the following command and press Enter:
3. Find the InstallLocation: PowerShell will return a list of properties for the Power BI Desktop application. Look for the line that says InstallLocation. This is the installation directory you're looking for.

The output will look something like this (the version number and hash will be different on your machine):

...
InstallLocation  : C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.115.842.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
...

The path you need is the long one: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.MicrosoftPowerBIDesktop_2.115.842.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe. The application's main files, including PBIDesktop.exe, are located inside the bin subfolder within this directory.

While you can now copy this path and paste it into the File Explorer address bar to view the contents, remember that modifying anything in this folder is not recommended.

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How to Find Power BI if Installed from a Direct Download (.exe/.msi)

If you installed Power BI by downloading the .exe or .msi file from the website, finding it is much simpler. These installations behave like traditional Windows programs and are placed in accessible locations.

The default installation paths are:

• For 32-bit versions: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\
• For 64-bit versions: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Power BI Desktop\

If you don't find it there or if you specified a custom location during installation, here are two foolproof ways to pinpoint the exact folder.

Method 1: Use the Desktop or Start Menu Shortcut

This is the quickest method if you have a shortcut for Power BI Desktop.

1. Find the Shortcut: Locate the Power BI Desktop icon on your desktop or in your Start menu.
2. Right-click and Open File Location: Right-click on the shortcut and choose "Open file location."
3. Check the Target: Windows will open a File Explorer window. Sometimes, this takes you to another shortcut (usually in the Start Menu folder). If the selected file has a little arrow icon, it's still a shortcut. Right-click this file again and select "Open file location" one more time.

This second jump will finally land you in the actual installation directory, with the PBIDesktop.exe file highlighted. The address bar in File Explorer now shows you the complete path.

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Method 2: Use the Task Manager

This method works as long as you have the Power BI Desktop application currently running.

1. Open Power BI Desktop: Launch the application if it isn't already open.
2. Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager directly. You can also right-click the taskbar and select "Task Manager."
3. Find the Process: In the 'Processes' tab, look for "Power BI Desktop." You may need to click the arrow to expand it.
4. Open the File Location: Right-click on the "Power BI Desktop" name and select "Open file location."

Just like that, a File Explorer window will pop up, taking you directly to the installation folder where PBIDesktop.exe is stored.

Key Folders Within the Installation Directory

Once you've found the main folder (especially for the direct download version, as it's more accessible), you'll notice several subfolders. A few of the important ones are:

• bin: This "binary" folder is the heart of the application. It contains the main executable file, PBIDesktop.exe, as well as hundreds of DLL files and other essential program files that allow Power BI to run.
• Custom Connectors: While custom connectors should technically be placed in [Documents]\Power BI Desktop\Custom Connectors, this folder may exist in the main program installation for administrative deployment purposes.
• resources → Caches → Common: Deep within this directory structure, you can sometimes find folders related to themes and configurations. However, modifying these files directly is not a best practice. The recommended and safest place to store assets like custom themes is in the dedicated user Application Data folders (%AppData%), not in the program's installation directory.

Final Thoughts

Pinpointing the Power BI Desktop installation folder ultimately hinges entirely on how you first installed it. For Microsoft Store users, PowerShell provides the direct, reliable answer to an otherwise hidden path. For those with a direct download, right-clicking a shortcut or using the Task Manager resolves things in seconds. Now you know exactly where to look, no matter which version you're running.

Once your setup is sorted, the focus shifts from finding files to finding insights. Manual reports built in Power BI or Excel are great, but the time spent getting data ready and building charts is often the main bottleneck. This is where we needed a simpler approach. With Graphed, you can connect data sources like Salesforce or Shopify in seconds, instantly build dashboards and reports just by asking natural language questions. No manual work, no code, just answers for your entire team.