Power BI Desktop is the primary application used to create and design reports, while is a user license that enables sharing and collaboration within the Power BI Service.

To clarify, is a user license, while Power BI Desktop is the actual software application used to create reports . There is no separate "Pro" version of the desktop software to download; you simply download the standard Power BI Desktop and log in with your Pro credentials to unlock sharing and collaboration features. Download Instructions

Before installing, ensure your machine meets these basic specs (as of early 2026): Windows 10 or later (Windows Server 2012 R2 or later). Memory: At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended). Display: At least CPU: 1 GHz or faster 64-bit ( ) processor recommended.

Power BI Desktop is a complete data analysis and report creation tool that allows you to: Power BI March 2025 Feature Summary

Power BI Desktop is Windows-only. You have three options: