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Introduction
This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to install Microsoft Power BI Desktop onto a RIC ITS managed Windows workstation, using the Microsoft Software Center utility.
Requirements
The following requirements must be met to successfully install Microsoft Power BI Desktop.
1. A RIC managed computer (Desktop or Laptop) running Microsoft Windows 10 or Windows 11 that has been assigned to an employee.
2. A network connection on the RIC wired "Ethernet" network (installation is not supported on RIC-GUEST wi-fi, or from off-campus).
Licensing
The instructions provided will install the free version of Microsoft Power BI Desktop. Some features are not available in the free version, and will require a license be applied to your RIC Microsoft 365 SSO account. This may require supervisor approval and possibly a funding source for license purchases. Contact the ITS Help Center with additional questions regarding licensing for Microsoft Power BI.
Installation
1. Verify that the computer is connected to the RIC wired "Ethernet" on campus.
2. Close all applications on your computer. If it's a convenient time to check for Windows Updates and restart your computer, we recommend doing performing those tasks first, especially if it's been a while since updates have been installed or a restart has been completed.
3. Find and open the Software Center application from the Start Menu (your Start Menu may differ depending on applications installed and version of Windows). You can search for it in the Start Menu if needed.
4. The Software Center application will open. By default, it opens to the Applications page. The contents of this page will vary depending on the applications and printers that have been assigned to your computer for installation.
5. To make sure Software Center has the latest information of what is available for your computer to install, please perform the following two steps:
Select Device Compliance page from the left menu, and then select Check compliance.
Then select Options page from the left menu. Expand the Computer Maintenance section, and select Sync Policy.
6. After the Sync Policy task has completed, navigate back to the Applications page, and look for Microsoft Power BI Desktop. You can also do a search using the search box on the top right of the Software Center application.
7. Select Microsoft Power BI Desktop in the application list, and then select Install on the following page.
8. The Install button will change and a status indicator will be shown next to the button. The application is now downloading and installing to the computer. The time it takes to complete installation will vary depending on network speed, computer speed, and size of the application.
9. When installation has completed, the button will change to Uninstall.
10. Microsoft PowerBI Desktop will now be available in the Start Menu.
Troubleshooting
- If the software is not visible in Software Center as being available to install, please refer back to step 5 again, and force a Compliance and Policy check. Sometimes restarting will also force an update of Software Center and allow the application to appear as being available to install.
- Verify the computer is on the RIC wired Ethernet network. The computer will not be able to complete the download and install from RIC-GUEST wi-fi or from an off-campus or Internet network.
- If you continue to be unsuccessful with the installation of this application, please contact the ITS Help Center at (401) 456-8803 or helpdesk@ric.edu. Or open a software application installation service request directly through the RIC Service Center.