Separate Your Power BI Versions: How to Change Icons in Windows 11

In a previous blog, we explored the different versions of Power BI Desktop, including the standard Power BI Desktop and Power BI Desktop RS, tailored for Power BI Report Server. In another blog, we examined the two variations of the standard Power BI Desktop: the Microsoft Store version and the Downloaded version. We also discussed scenarios where having both versions installed side-by-side might be necessary. If you haven’t read those posts yet, I recommend checking them out for helpful insights.

In this blog, we focus on a common challenge when using both versions side-by-side: they share the same icon, making it difficult to quickly tell them apart. This often results in opening the wrong version and disrupting your workflow.

To address this, I’ll guide you through customising the application icons for Power BI Desktop on Windows 11. For those who prefer watching tutorials, here’s a link to the YouTube video:

If you’d rather read through the steps, keep scrolling.

Why Customise Power BI Icons?

As I have already explained here, Power BI Desktop versions serve different purposes. Having both versions installed is recommended for advanced users and organisations with specific use cases. However, their identical icons can cause confusion, particularly when managing multiple projects or workflows.

Customising the icons allows you to:

1. Avoid Confusion: Quickly identify the correct version.
2. Boost Efficiency: Eliminate errors caused by opening the wrong version.
3. Personalise Your Workspace: Organise your Windows desktop to suit your needs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change Power BI Icons in Windows 11

If you have already pinned both versions of Power BI Desktop to your Start Menu or Taskbar, you can do so by searching for Power BI Desktop, right-clicking the application, and selecting the Pin to Start option.

Distinguishing Power BI Desktop Store Version

As shown in the image above, we can pin the application to the Windows Taskbar. The next step is to identify the Store and Downloaded versions. As discussed in the previous blog in more detail, the Store version is a Windows app. To distinguish between the two, right-click one Power BI Desktop icon. If the context menu includes the App settings option, then the selected one is the Store version; otherwise, it is the Downloaded version.

Note
There is no need to click App settings. The presence of this option is sufficient to indicate that the application is a Windows Store app.

Download the Second Official Icon for Power BI Desktop

We all recognise the official icon for Power BI Desktop, but there is a second icon available in Microsoft’s official GitHub repository. Navigate to the GitHub repository and find the Power BI Desktop icon.

After locating the icon, right-click the png version and save the image to your local drive.

Convert PNG to ICO with GIMP

To change the icon of a Windows application, you need an icon file in the ico format. To convert the downloaded png file to ico, I use GIMP, a free and open-source application available in the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, you can use online conversion tools to achieve the same result.

Converting image file formats with GIMP is straightforward. Right-click the image, then select Open with -> GIMP.

Once the file is open in GIMP, click File -> Export As…, change the file extension to ico, then click Export. Confirm the export process by clicking the Export button again.

Change the Icon of the Downloaded Version

To change the icon for the Downloaded version of Power BI Desktop, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Power BI Desktop icon in the Start menu or on the Taskbar.
2. Select the Open file location option to locate the file used in the Start menu.

3. In Windows Explorer, right-click the file.
4. Select the Properties option.

5. In the Power BI Desktop Properties window, click the Change Icon… button.
6. Click the Browse… button.
7. Select the ico file from the location where it was saved after conversion.
8. Click Open.
9. In the Change Icon window, click OK.
10. In the Power BI Desktop Properties window, click OK.
11. Confirm the changes by clicking the Continue button.

Now you can easily distinguish between the two versions of Power BI Desktop. Here is a screenshot of my Start menu:

If you are interested in learning how to change the icon for the Store Version of Power BI Desktop, I suggest watching my YouTube video placed at the beginning of this post.

Conclusion

Customising the icons for Power BI Desktop is a simple yet impactful change for anyone working with multiple versions. It helps you stay organised, reduces errors, and improves your workflow. Whether you are a casual user or an advanced professional, this tweak can enhance your Power BI experience.

Have you customised your Power BI icons? Share your experience in the comments below!

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