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How to Extract the .msi Installer for Power BI Desktop Report Server

Daechler

The problem?

Microsoft only provides an .exe installer for Power BI Desktop Report Server. If you need the .msi file - for offline installation, deployment automation, or software packaging - you won’t find it directly on their website.

The solution:

  1. Get the .exe from the official Microsoft page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-bi/report-server
  2. Double-click the downloaded .exe and click Next on the initial screen. (Note: You may need administrator privileges.)
  3. During installation, the .msi appears temporarily in: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\<some-guid>\PBIDesktopSSRS.msi
    1. Example: C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{9b4d81db-a7a0-4b95-8217-e214520bc64d}v2.138.2255.0\PBIDesktopSSRS.msi
  4. Before closing the installer, copy PBIDesktopSSRS.msi to another folder. Then, cancel or finish the installer as needed.

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