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How to Automate Tasks in Windows 11 Using Macros

Create macros to record your desktop and browser tasks

7 min. read

Updated onOctober 7, 2024

updated onOctober 7, 2024

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Key notes

Some office applications, such as MS Office, include macro-recording tools. With those, users can record macros to automate repetitive tasks. Then, they can play macros to carry out their recorded tasks within their applications.

What is Power Automate?

Now, you can automate repetitive tasks within Windows 11 much the same with its Power Automate Desktop app. Note that it comes pre-installed and enables users to record task sequences with flows, which are much the same as macros.

For example, a lot of users often manually empty their Recycle Bins in Windows to free up disk space. With Power Automate, you could record a flow that empties the Recycle Bin.

When played, that flow will carry out all the recorded mouse clicks for emptying the bin.

So, Power Automate can be a very useful app for any user who needs to carry out repetitive tasks in Windows 11 with regularity. You can record both desktop and browser task flows with that software as outlined below.

Is Power Automate only for Windows 11?

Power Automate is also available for Windows 10. However, it doesn’t come preinstalled with that platform. You must install the Windows 10 app by clicking theGetbutton on itsMicrosoft Store page.

This app is also available for mobile platforms. You can add Power Automate to Android mobiles from its Google Play page. The iOS version has a download page on the Apple Apple Store.

Is there any prerequisite software or account needed for Power Automate?

NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher must be installed on your PC to run Power Automate. Download the latest version from the .NET Framework 4.8 page if that software is seemingly missing on your computer.

Then install .NET Framework 4.8 with the downloaded installer for it. You’ll also need aMicrosoft accountto utilize Power Automate.

If you don’t have one already, open the Microsoft account page to set one up. Then, follow the steps below to sign in and record some flows with Power Automate.

How can I record flows with Power Automate in Windows 11?

2. Record a desktop flow task

1.First, click the+ New Flowbutton.

2.Type a name for the flow in the text box, and then press theCreatebutton.

3.Click theDesktop recorderbutton.

4.Press theRecordbutton.

Minimize theDesktop recorderwindow after starting the recording.
Carry out the task you need to record.
Click theFinishbutton on theDesktop recorderwindow when you’re done.

8.Thereafter, click theRunbutton on the editing window for your recorded flow to play it. Alternatively, you can select to play the recording from yourMy flowslist.

9.ClickFileandSaveon the menu.

Press theOKbutton to confirm.

With Power Automate, you can create a macro that records your desktop. You can configure all the settings in the tool, and it will do the task for you.

3. Record a browser task

For a boost of productivity in your daily workflow, check out how theScribe Chrome extensionmay be a better fit or thisguide on how to automate browser actions on Windows 10. The same tips may be applied in Windows 11 as well.

What are the best alternative apps to Power Automate?

There are various third-party automation software solutions available for Windows 10 at least. Macro Express, Robo Task, and JitBit Macro Recorder are three notable applications that incorporate macro recorders. Ourlist including the best programs to automate PC tasksprovides further details.

Keep in mind that Windows 11 is a very new platform at the moment. Double-check that those applications are compatible with the latest OS.

Try out their trial packages to check if you can install and run them on your Windows 11 PC.

Even more, feel free to record browser macros with the iMacros extension. That’s an extension you can record tasks in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Since it’s a Chrome extension, you should also be able to install it on other Chromium browsers.

As it comes with Windows 11, and even with occasionalnetwork errors, Power Automate is well worth a look before considering other alternatives. It’s a relatively straightforward app with which you can record automated repetitive and monotonous tasks that can be useful for business and home users.

Although more limited than Power Automate, Task Scheduler is ideal for automating tasks. With that utility, you can schedule all kinds of software and files to open at specified times. Task Scheduler is certainly worth noting if you want programs to start automatically.

So, you don’t need to be a programmer to automate tasks in Windows 11. With Power Automate and Task Scheduler, you can automate almost anything in Windows 11 without needing to manually code any complex scripts.

Can I automate tasks with Task Scheduler?

Task Scheduler remains in Windows 11, but it hasn’t changed much. You can still utilize that tool to set up scheduled tasks for opening programs, sending emails, and displaying messages at specific times.

However, you can’t record macros with Task Scheduler. Nevertheless, Task Scheduler is a viable alternative to Power Automate for automating startups for software.

You can also use it to automatically execute Command Prompt commands by adding in arguments. That’s how you can set up tasks for opening programs with this utility:

After that, the program you selected will automatically start at the time you configured it. You can edit the task anytime by right-clicking it inTask Schedulerand selectingProperties. Then click theEditbuttons for actions and triggers on its properties windows.

To set up a task that executes a command, you must select it to open PowerShell or Command Prompt. Then, enter the command to start within theAdd argumentsbox. For example, you could set up a task to run a system scan by entering this command:sfc /scannow

For more information about using theTask Scheduler in Windows 11, check out our dedicated article.

Just as you can see in thisguide on how to schedule tasks in Windows 10, as a Windows 11 user, you may also enable various scripts and schedules to run at a specific time or event, depending on your needs.

Even more, take advantage of thebest Windows task scheduler softwareif you want to rapidly automate repetitive tasks.

For any questions and more suggestions, don’t hesitate to access the comments section below.

How to Automate Tasks in Windows 11 Using Macros#

Is Power Automate only for Windows 11?#

How can I record flows with Power Automate in Windows 11?#

1. Open and sign in to Power Automate#

2. Record a desktop flow task#

3. Record a browser task#

What are the best alternative apps to Power Automate?#

Can I automate tasks with Task Scheduler?#