Free Windows app for building interactive dashboards and reports. By Microsoft Corporation
- Windows
By the ToolsBharat teamUpdated 2 Nov 2026How we check
Quick answer
Microsoft Power BI Desktop is free software for Windows from Microsoft Corporation. Free Windows app for building interactive dashboards and reports. Download it only from microsoft.com. The latest version we track is 2.159.1231.0 (2 Nov 2026). ToolsBharat links straight to the publisher's own download page, with no bundled offers.
- Latest version:
- 2.159.1231.0 (2 Nov 2026)
- Publisher:
- Microsoft Corporation
- Official site:
- microsoft.com
- Licence:
- Free — Proprietary — free desktop app
- Requirements:
- Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016/2019
Our verdict
Power BI Desktop is the free tool behind most 'data analyst' job descriptions in India. You import data from Excel, CSV or databases, clean it in Power Query, model it with DAX and build interactive dashboards — all offline on your PC. It is Windows-only and a 670 MB download. Sharing reports online through the Power BI service needs an account and, for most sharing, a licence.
Screenshots
Key features
- Import from Excel, CSV, databases and web sources
- Power Query for cleaning and shaping data
- DAX measures and data modelling
- Interactive charts, slicers and dashboards
Pros
- Pro: Free and very employable skill
- Pro: Monthly updates from Microsoft
- Pro: Huge tutorial ecosystem
Cons
- Con: Windows only (64-bit)
- Con: Large 670 MB installer
- Con: Online sharing is part of the paid Power BI service
What's new in 2.159.1231.0
See what changed in 2.159.1231.0 in the official release notes
Version history
Version 2.159.1231.0Latest
2 Nov 2026- SHA-256
- The developer does not publish one
- Source
- Release notes
Version 2.159.883.0
15 Oct 2026 · 670.7 MB- SHA-256
- The developer does not publish one
- Source
- Release notes
Requirements
- OS
- Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016/2019
- Architecture
- 64-bit (x64)
Licence
- Type
- Free
- Licence
- Proprietary — free desktop app
- Publisher
- microsoft.com
Where these facts come from
Checked 30 Oct 2026
FAQ
Is Power BI Desktop free?
Yes. The desktop app is free to download and use from Microsoft's Download Center. Publishing and sharing through the online Power BI service is where paid licences come in.
Can I install Power BI Desktop on a Mac?
Microsoft lists only Windows (64-bit) for Power BI Desktop.
User reviews
User reviewsयूज़र रिव्यू
No reviews yet
Used Microsoft Power BI Desktop? Reviews appear after moderation; we never import or invent ratings.
Alternatives
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Microsoft Power BI Desktop
2.159.1231.0 · Not stated