Why this matters
Your first hour with Power BI Desktop should be spent learning, not fighting the installation. A little preparation saves wasted trips to a lab or café, and knowing your way around the three main views makes every later lesson easier. Employers expect you to be comfortable in Desktop from day one.
Check the computer first
Power BI Desktop needs:
- Windows 10 or later. It does not run on macOS, ChromeOS, Android or iOS.
- At least 2 GB of free memory (RAM), with 4 GB or more recommended. More is better for large files.
- A screen of at least 1440 by 900 pixels. Microsoft says lower resolutions such as 1024 by 768 or 1280 by 800 are not supported, because some controls appear beyond the edge of the screen. Many laptops run at 1366 by 768, which is also below the minimum. Check in Settings, then System, then Display.
- Display scaling at 100%. If "Scale" is set higher, some dialogs may not show. Set it to 100% in the same Display settings.
Two ways to install
- Microsoft Store (recommended for shared computers): search for Power BI Desktop in the Store and choose Install. It does not need administrator rights, updates itself automatically and downloads smaller updates.