Microsoft Power BI Report Builder provides a productive report-authoring environment for IT professionals and power users of the Microsoft Power BI service. This article will serve as an informative guide and give you a clear understanding of how to perform a silent installation of Power BI Report Builder from the command line using the MSI installer.
How to Install Power BI Report Builder Silently
Microsoft Power BI Report Builder Silent Install (MSI)
- Download the Microsoft Power BI Report Builder (MSI) Installer
- Download the file to a folder created at (C:\Downloads)
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Navigate to the C:\Downloads folder
- Enter the following command:
- MsiExec.exe /i PowerBiReportBuilder.en-US.msi /qn
- Press Enter
After a few moments you should see the Power BI Report Builder shortcut in the Start Menu, Installation Directory, and Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
| Software Title: | Power BI Report Builder |
| Vendor: | Microsoft Corporation |
| Version: | 15.6.1340.2 |
| Architecture: | x86 |
| Installer Type: | MSI |
| Silent Install Switch: | MsiExec.exe /i PowerBiReportBuilder.en-US.msi /qn |
| Silent Uninstall Switch: | MsiExec.exe /x {C7E6D44A-A988-43E4-8137-0F0AE4DAE2FE} /qn |
| Repair Command: | MsiExec.exe /fa {C7E6D44A-A988-43E4-8137-0F0AE4DAE2FE} /qn |
| Download Link: | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=58158 |
The information above provides a quick overview of the software title, vendor, silent install, and silent uninstall switches. The download links provided take you directly to the vendors website. Continue reading if you are interested in additional details and configurations.
Additional Configurations
Create an Installation Log File
The Power BI Report Builder installer offers the option to generate a log file during installation to assist with troubleshooting should any problems arise. You can use the following commands to create a verbose log file with details about the installation.
Microsoft Power BI Report Builder Silent Install with Logging
MsiExec.exe /i PowerBiReportBuilder.en-US.msi /qn /L*v "%WINDIR%\Temp\PowerBIReportBuilder-Install.log" |
Suppress the Getting Started Dialog Box
Power BI Report Builder presents the user with a Getting Started dialog box after launching the application for the first time. You can bypass the Getting Started dialog box by performing the following steps.
- Open Notepad or your favorite text editor
- Add the following lines:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
<userSettings>
<Microsoft.ReportDesigner.Properties.Settings>
<setting name="ShowGettingStartedOnStart" serializeAs="String">
<value>False</value>
</setting>
</Microsoft.ReportDesigner.Properties.Settings>
</userSettings>
</configuration>- Save the file and name it: user.config
- Follow the “How to Install Power BI Report Builder Silently” steps mentioned earlier in the article
- Create the following folder (if it does not already exist): “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Power BI Report Builder\15.6”
- Copy the user.config file to “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Power BI Report Builder\15.6“
Disable Telemetry
By default, Power BI Report Builder will send usage data and errors to a Microsoft online service. If you want to disable the telemetry setting you can follow these steps.
- Open Notepad or your favorite text editor
- Add the following lines:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
<userSettings>
<Microsoft.ReportDesigner.Properties.Settings>
<setting name="IsTelemetryEnabled" serializeAs="String">
<value>False</value>
</setting>
</Microsoft.ReportDesigner.Properties.Settings>
</userSettings>
</configuration>- Save the file and name it: user.config
- Follow the “How to Install Power BI Report Builder Silently” steps mentioned earlier in the article
- Create the following folder (if it does not already exist): “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Power BI Report Builder\15.6”
- Copy the user.config file to “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Power BI Report Builder\15.6”
Disable Power BI Report Builder Auto Updates
By default, Power BI Report Builder will automatically check for updates and display notifications. If you want to disable the auto update setting you can follow these steps.
- Open Notepad or your favorite text editor
- Add the following lines:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<configuration>
<userSettings>
<Microsoft.ReportDesigner.Properties.Settings>
<setting name="IsAutoUpdatesEnabled" serializeAs="String">
<value>False</value>
</setting>
</Microsoft.ReportDesigner.Properties.Settings>
</userSettings>
</configuration>- Save the file and name it: user.config
- Follow the “How to Install Power BI Report Builder Silently” steps mentioned earlier in the article
- Create the following folder (if it does not already exist): “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Power BI Report Builder\15.6”
- Copy the user.config file to “%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Power BI Report Builder\15.6”
How to Uninstall Power BI Report Builder Silently
- Open an Elevated Command Prompt by Right-Clicking on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
- Enter the following command:
Microsoft Power BI Report Builder 15.6.1340.2 Silent Uninstall
MsiExec.exe /x {C7E6D44A-A988-43E4-8137-0F0AE4DAE2FE} /qn |
Always make sure to test everything in a development environment prior to implementing anything into production. The information in this article is provided “As Is” without warranty of any kind.