Have you ever wished your PC could handle tedious daily tasks for you? Thanks to Power Automate in Windows 11, it’s possible to put your computer to work for you. Here’s how I use it to automate my repetitive day-to-day activities and boost my productivity.

5

I Declutter My Desktop With Daily Cleanup

There are better ways to store files than on the desktop, but my desktop often becomes a dumping ground for screenshots, documents, and random files throughout the day—leaving it a cluttered mess.

To combat this, I created a Power Automate flow that automatically organizes my desktop files into designated folders with just one click.

The flow runs daily at a set time (with Windows Task Scheduler), moving files to their respective folders based on file type. For example, all .docx, .xlsx, and .pdf files are moved to a Documents folder, image files like .jpg and .png go into an Images folder, and .lnk shortcut files are relocated to a Shortcuts folder.

Setting this up was straightforward, using Power Automate’s simple interface. First, open Power Automate for the desktop and click New flow. Name your flow something descriptive like “Desktop Cleanup,” and click Create. You’ll be directed to the main pane of the flow. Here, copy and paste the following script into the main flow area and click save.

        Folder.GetSpecialFolder SpecialFolder: Folder.SpecialFolder.DesktopDirectory SpecialFolderPath=> SpecialFolderPath
IF (Folder.IfFolderExists.Exists Path: $'''%SpecialFolderPath%\\Shortcuts''') THEN
ELSE
    Folder.Create FolderPath: $'''C:\\Users\\PC\\Desktop''' FolderName: $'''Shortcuts''' Folder=> NewFolder
END
Folder.GetFiles Folder: SpecialFolderPath FileFilter: $'''*.lnk;''' IncludeSubfolders: False FailOnAccessDenied: True SortBy1: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending1: False SortBy2: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending2: False SortBy3: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending3: False Files=> Files
File.Move Files: Files Destination: $'''%SpecialFolderPath%\\Shortcuts''' IfFileExists: File.IfExists.DoNothing MovedFiles=> MovedFiles
IF (Folder.IfFolderExists.Exists Path: $'''%SpecialFolderPath%\\Images''') THEN
ELSE
    Folder.Create FolderPath: $'''C:\\Users\\PC\\Desktop''' FolderName: $'''Images''' Folder=> NewFolder
END
Folder.GetFiles Folder: SpecialFolderPath FileFilter: $'''*.jpg;*.png;*.webp;*.gif;*.bmp;''' IncludeSubfolders: False FailOnAccessDenied: True SortBy1: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending1: False SortBy2: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending2: False SortBy3: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending3: False Files=> Images
File.Move Files: Images Destination: $'''%SpecialFolderPath%\\Images''' IfFileExists: File.IfExists.DoNothing MovedFiles=> MovedImages
IF (Folder.IfFolderExists.Exists Path: $'''%SpecialFolderPath%\\Documents''') THEN
ELSE
    Folder.Create FolderPath: $'''C:\\Users\\PC\\Desktop''' FolderName: $'''Documents''' Folder=> NewFolder
END
Folder.GetFiles Folder: SpecialFolderPath FileFilter: $'''*.pdf;*.doc;*.docs;*.xlsx;*.xls;*.csv;*.ppt;*.pptx;''' IncludeSubfolders: False FailOnAccessDenied: True SortBy1: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending1: False SortBy2: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending2: False SortBy3: Folder.SortBy.NoSort SortDescending3: False Files=> Documents
File.Move Files: Documents Destination: $'''%SpecialFolderPath%\\Documents''' IfFileExists: File.IfExists.DoNothing MovedFiles=> MovedDocuments  
    

You can schedule the flow to run automatically using Windows Task Scheduler.

4

My Documents Are Organized With Version Control Automation

Version control isn’t just for developers—it’s a lifesaver for anyone working with frequently updated files. I used to struggle with keeping track of document revisions, often ending up with multiple versions scattered across different folders. Power Automate and OneDrive came to my rescue.

I set up a flow that automatically backs up my important documents, including PDFs and spreadsheets, to OneDrive whenever they’re modified. The flow monitors specific folders for changes and syncs the updated files to corresponding folders.

This ensures I always have an up-to-date backup of my critical documents in the cloud, making it easy to access previous versions if needed. It’s like having a personal assistant constantly keeping my files safe and organized without me lifting a finger.

Additionally, I also configured timestamped versions in OneDrive, allowing me to track changes over time. If I accidentally overwrite a file or need to refer back to an older version, I can quickly retrieve it from OneDrive’s version history.

3

I Automate File Conversions to Save Time

Working with files in various formats can be a headache, especially when converting them manually. I spent a lot of time on these tedious conversions until I started using Power Automate for it.

The Power Automate desktop app has some file conversion flows built in. It watches a designated folder for new files. Whenever a file is added—whether a Word document or PowerPoint presentation—the flow automatically converts it to my desired format, such as PDF.

After the conversion, the flow moves the processed files to specific folders based on their type and purpose. This keeps everything organized and easy to find.

However, the real-time saver is the final step: the flow automatically shares the converted files via email using Outlook. No more manual attachments or fumbling with file paths. Just set it and forget it.

2

Power Automate for Work-Life Balance

Maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging when your work and personal life are just a click away. It’s all too easy to get into work tasks outside designated hours. That’s where you need to use Power Automate and the Windows Task Scheduler.

I created a flow that closes work-related apps like Outlook, Teams, and my company’s VPN at a set time every evening. This helps me mentally disconnect from work and enjoy my time without the constant temptation to check in.

The flow is triggered by a task scheduled in the Windows Task Scheduler, so it runs consistently at the designated time.

I created this flow using the record feature in Power Automate Desktop. First, I opened the apps I wanted to close and started a new recording. Then, I manually closed each app while Power Automate recorded my actions. After stopping the recording, I had a basic flow that could replicate my app-closing routine.

Next, I edited the recorded flow to add error handling to ensure the flow could handle scenarios like apps not being open.

I have a similar flow on weekends that activates a more stringent “work-free” mode. This mode enables an out-of-office reply in Outlook, so the lines between work and play are no longer blurred.

1

I Automate My Calendar to Run My Day

Managing a busy calendar can also feel like a full-time job, but I use Power Automate to create to-do items from my calendar events. As soon as a new meeting is scheduled, a corresponding task is added to my to-do list, so I never forget to prepare.

This automation is powered by Power Automate’s web version (not the desktop app), which integrates with Office 365 apps like Outlook and To Do.

The Power Automate website offers a wide variety of pre-built templates for common workflows, making it even easier to get started. Of course, you’ll need to sign in to your apps and grant the necessary permissions, but these flows can save you countless hours once set up.

Power Automate is handy in my daily routine, as it simplifies tasks and saves me hours. By automating the tedious and time-consuming aspects of my work, I can focus on what matters. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even use Windows PowerShell to automate anything on your PC.