How I Automate My Daily Tasks in Windows 11

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 daily tasks and increase my productivity.

5

Declutter My Desktop With Daily Cleanup

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

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

The stream runs daily at a set time (with Windows Task Scheduler), moving files into 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 to an Images folder, and .lnk files are moved in a Shortcuts folder.

Setting this up was simple, using Power Automate’s simple interface. First, open Power Automate for desktop and click New flow. Name your stream something descriptive like “Desktop Cleanup”, and click it Create. You will be directed to the main page of the stream. Here, copy and paste the following script into the main stream 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 with 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 who works with frequently updated files. I had to struggle with keeping track of document revisions, often ending up with multiple versions scattered in different folders. Power Automate and OneDrive came to my rescue.

I set up a stream that automatically saves my important documents, including PDFs and spreadsheets, to OneDrive whenever they are modified. The flow monitors the specific characters for changes and synchronizes the updated files to the corresponding folders.

This ensures that 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 who always keeps my files safe and organized without me lifting a finger.

To set up this stream, you must be signed into your OneDrive account in your browser.

In addition, I also set up bookmarked versions in OneDrive, which allow me to track changes over time. If you accidentally overwrite a file or need to refer to an older version, I can quickly retrieve it from OneDrive’s version history.

3

I Automate File conversion to save time

Working with files in different 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 this.

The Power Automate desktop app has some built-in file conversion flows. Create a designated folder for new files. Whenever a file is added, be it a Word document or a 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 with 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 is too easy to enter into work tasks outside the designated hours. This is where you need to use Power Automate and the Windows Task Scheduler.

I created a flow that shuts down work applications 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.

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

I created this flow using the recording feature in Power Automate Desktop. First, I opened the applications I wanted to close and started a new recording. So, 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 that the flow could handle scenarios like applications not opening.

I have a similar flow on weekends that triggers a tighter “no work” 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 still 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 the web version of Power Automate (not the desktop app), which integrates with Office 365 apps like Outlook and To Do.

U 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 into your apps and grant the necessary permissions, but these streams can save you countless hours once set up.

Power Automate is useful in my daily routine because 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 too use Windows PowerShell to automate anything on your PC.