Power Automate Desktop: With Parallel Flows

Key insights

• Parallel execution in Power Automate Desktop allows users to run a child desktop flow at the same time as the parent flow, making it easier to handle unexpected popups or interruptions without stopping the main automation.
  
• This feature improves flow reliability, as the parent flow continues working while a child flow manages dynamic popups, leading to stronger and more consistent automation.
  
• With parallel flows, users experience fewer interruptions from popups, which helps maintain a smoother and more efficient workflow during desktop automation tasks.
  
• The new action called Run Desktop Flow lets you start a child flow in parallel; the parent does not wait for it to finish, allowing both flows to work independently on the same machine.
  
• This is the first time true parallelism in desktop automation has been possible in Power Automate Desktop, making it easier to manage UI events and distribute automated tasks more effectively.
  
• Resource management is important: running multiple flows at once uses more CPU and memory, so users should monitor system performance and avoid conflicts when both flows interact with the same application.
  

Introduction of Parallel Flow Execution in Power Automate Desktop

Microsoft has recently showcased a notable upgrade to its Power Automate Desktop platform, highlighted in a March 2025 community call video. The key feature on display is the ability to run desktop flows in parallel on the same machine, a capability that has been available since January 2024. This innovation addresses longstanding frustrations in desktop automation, particularly the challenge of handling unexpected popups or interruptions that can halt or disrupt automated workflows.

Traditionally, Power Automate Desktop (PAD) flows have operated sequentially. This sequential execution often led to failures or bottlenecks when dynamic popups appeared, requiring manual intervention or complex workarounds. With the new parallel execution feature, users can now initiate a child flow alongside the main automation, enabling a more seamless and resilient process.

How Parallel Execution Works in Practice

The core of this advancement lies in the Run Desktop Flow action, which allows users to start a child flow in parallel with the parent flow. Importantly, this child flow is designed to handle specific tasks such as monitoring and dismissing popups without interrupting the primary automation. By keeping the "run in background" option unchecked, the child flow can actively manage UI events as they occur.

While only one parallel child flow can be launched per parent flow, its operation is independent and does not return output to the parent. This setup is especially useful for scenarios where unexpected windows or notifications might otherwise cause the entire automation to fail. As a result, the parent flow can continue executing its tasks, improving both reliability and efficiency.

Advantages and Tradeoffs of Parallel Flows

There are several notable benefits to running PAD flows in parallel. First, it significantly improves flow reliability by isolating popup management, ensuring that critical automations are not derailed by minor interruptions. This leads to a better overall user experience and reduces the need for manual oversight. Moreover, it optimizes workflow execution time, as the automation no longer needs to pause for error handling or user input.

However, these improvements come with certain tradeoffs. Running multiple flows concurrently increases CPU and memory usage, which could impact the performance of the machine, especially in resource-constrained environments. Therefore, organizations must balance the need for robust automation with careful resource management to avoid potential slowdowns or conflicts.

Technical Challenges and Considerations

Implementing parallel execution in desktop automation is more complex than in cloud environments due to the direct interaction with the user interface. There is always a risk of conflicts or race conditions if both the parent and child flows attempt to manipulate the same application simultaneously. Users must design their automations thoughtfully to prevent these issues, ensuring that each flow operates on distinct elements or tasks.

Additionally, because the child flow cannot return output, any information or status updates must be handled through alternative means, such as shared files or logging mechanisms. This limitation requires a shift in how developers structure their workflows, emphasizing asynchronous event handling over direct data exchange between flows.

Impact and Future Directions

The introduction of parallel flow execution marks a significant milestone for Power Automate Desktop, bringing it closer to meeting the demands of enterprise-grade automation. By allowing for the isolation of disruptive events and enabling continuous operation, Microsoft has equipped users with a more powerful and flexible toolset.

Looking ahead, further enhancements may address current limitations, such as supporting multiple parallel child flows or improving resource efficiency. For now, the new feature represents a major step forward, empowering organizations to create more resilient and efficient automated processes tailored to the complexities of desktop environments.

Keywords

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