installing report server desktop & cloud version of desktop on the same machine

[aki723]

Hi , 
Is it possible to install both the power bi report server desktop and cloud version of power bi desktop on the same machine? 

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @aki723 ,

I would also take a moment to thank @Poojara_D12  , for actively participating in the community forum and for the solutions you’ve been sharing in the community forum. Your contributions make a real difference.
 

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @aki723 ,

I hope the above details help you fix the issue. If you still have any questions or need more help, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to support you

[Poojara_D12 · Accepted solution]

Hi @aki723 

Yes, it is possible to install both Power BI Report Server Desktop (PBIRS version) and the Power BI Desktop (Cloud/Service version) on the same machine, but with a few important considerations. These two versions are technically separate applications — the PBIRS version is specifically designed for creating and publishing reports to an on-premises Power BI Report Server, while the standard Power BI Desktop is used for publishing to the Power BI Service (cloud). Each version has its own installer and runs independently, so they can coexist without conflict. However, you must ensure they are installed in different directories and are kept up to date separately, as their release cycles differ. The PBIRS version typically lags behind the cloud version because it’s tied to specific Report Server releases. To avoid confusion, it’s a good practice to rename shortcuts (e.g., “Power BI Desktop – Report Server” and “Power BI Desktop – Cloud”) so you can easily identify which one to use when developing reports for different deployment environments.

[tayloramy]

Hi @aki723, 

Yes, this works natively. The report server optimized version gets installed into the Power BI Desktop RS folder in program files, while the cloud version gets installed into Power BI Desktop in program folders. 

The ReportServer optimized version will have the little "rs" icon in the bottom right of the program icon. 

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