setting up new PC - why so many Dell components?


H

hershey4

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7:20 PM
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Windows 11 Pro
9 apps? Really? I doubt I need them all. I am a strong believer in Less is More. I've seen the domino affect way too many times. How many updates have inadvertently broken something subtle way down the line. Give me clean and lean all day long. I don't want all this protection/hand-holding. Very cynical of software competency these days. I was going to uninstall DellSupportAssist but ran into this article which slowed me down.


even that uninstall has caveats. Why do these hardware manufacturers have to make stuff so complicated? Just let Windows do Windows. Its good enough.
Or give me the choice at startup before your crap is installed and explain what it does and why I need/want it (in plain speak not marketing speak) and what it depends on, if anything. I miss my W7 waaaaaaaaah. :-(

Any words of advice on this topic in general and these particular services?

1783804115989.webp
1783804151365.webp
 

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System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Ultra 516GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro Slim QCS1250
    CPU
    Intel Ultra 5
    Memory
    16GB

  • At a glance

    Windows 7I78GB
    Operating System
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS Studio
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    8GB
  • Windows 10 Dell Inspiron laptop
I had the same issue , just be careful of what you remove from The Dell software. Some things if you remove them will break your system. In 11/2025 I was advised that the only way to rid yourself would be to perform a Clean Install of Windows. That could be an issue with your Dell Support Warranty. I did not do that as I did not see it as that big of an issue. Just be careful going forward and that would mean restore points and image backups before any action.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows11 Pro 26200.8737Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total C...32GB DDR5RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    OS
    Windows11 Pro 26200.8737
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    PSU
    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Liquid Closed Loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe RGB
    Mouse
    Logitech MK270 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 152.0.5
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD

  • At a glance

    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.Internal
    Operating System
    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel
    CPU
    13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.
    Graphics card(s)
    Internal
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    Chicony 30 Watt
    Case
    Small
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Razor
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Slimjet

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)32GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB

  • At a glance

    Microsoft 25H2 ProIntel Core Ultra 764GBIntel Integrated Graphics
    Operating System
    Microsoft 25H2 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro 14 - PC14250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Micron 1TB SSD

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows11 Pro 26200.8737Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total C...32GB DDR5RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    OS
    Windows11 Pro 26200.8737
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    PSU
    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Liquid Closed Loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe RGB
    Mouse
    Logitech MK270 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 152.0.5
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD

  • At a glance

    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.Internal
    Operating System
    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel
    CPU
    13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.
    Graphics card(s)
    Internal
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    Chicony 30 Watt
    Case
    Small
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Razor
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Slimjet
Josey Wales said:
That could be an issue with your Dell Support Warranty
Click to expand...
Why on earth would that cause an issue with your warranty? I always, always, always do a clean install on every single machine I ever get. That has never affected my warranty. I've had warranty work done several times on systems that in no way had anywhere near a factory installation.

Besides, if that is a concern, make an image backup first.

My procedure with every machine I ever get: Make an image, "just in case". Do a clean install. Install every single driver and piece of software one by one, note what each one does to determine what I need and what I don't. Develop a plan including the exact order in which to load every driver and piece of software. Now I have a step-by-step plan in case I ever need to reinstall again. That's the simplified procedure. There is actually more to it than that, but the point is that I develop a plan for each machine individually so that I can easily do a clean install in the future.

Once I have a plan, I can generally perform a bear metal installation including all drivers and software for a system in under 15 minutes.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-14650HX32 GBNo GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
hsehestedt said:
Why on earth would that cause an issue with your warranty? I always, always, always do a clean install on every single machine I ever get. That has never affected my warranty. I've had warranty work done several times on systems that in no way had anywhere near a factory installation.

Besides, if that is a concern, make an image backup first.

My procedure with every machine I ever get: Make an image, "just in case". Do a clean install. Install every single driver and piece of software one by one, note what each one does to determine what I need and what I don't. Develop a plan including the exact order in which to load every driver and piece of software. Now I have a step-by-step plan in case I ever need to reinstall again. That's the simplified procedure. There is actually more to it than that, but the point is that I develop a plan for each machine individually so that I can easily do a clean install in the future.

Once I have a plan, I can generally perform a bear metal installation including all drivers and software for a system in under 15 minutes.
Click to expand...
Ask Dell, not the warranty their support. I posted to the OP to make a backup image and restore points.🤷‍♂️
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows11 Pro 26200.8737Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total C...32GB DDR5RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    OS
    Windows11 Pro 26200.8737
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    PSU
    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Liquid Closed Loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe RGB
    Mouse
    Logitech MK270 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 152.0.5
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD

  • At a glance

    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.Internal
    Operating System
    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel
    CPU
    13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.
    Graphics card(s)
    Internal
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    Chicony 30 Watt
    Case
    Small
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Razor
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Slimjet
Josey Wales said:
Ask Dell, not the warranty their support.
Click to expand...
That's interesting. I do have to admit that it has been years since I dealt with Dell, ever since I had to blacklist them :-). But even back then, service or support was never denied to me even though I had my own clean install on the system.

But I do know that they like you to put back on a factory installation sometimes to see if a particular problem is resolved with their "known good" configuration. I'm always willing to indulge tests like that because I can always do a clean install again later.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-14650HX32 GBNo GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
So sounds like it's all or nothing to be safe. I know how to make a restore point but not proficient in the least with image stuff and recovery.

I went to Dell to look up one of them to see what it says.
it does provide some explanation of its mission (includes data collection. of course that stood out to me!). But the website has a button to see if this article applies to your product so I engaged and it came back with
1783810903553.webp

Then why the heck is it running on my Dell Pro Slim QCS1250? Does that imply I can uninstall it? Not unusual for OEMs to bundle everything together whether you need it or not. What do they care if they junk up your system that you paid premium dollars for. They can do brainless software packaging. argggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Ultra 516GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro Slim QCS1250
    CPU
    Intel Ultra 5
    Memory
    16GB

  • At a glance

    Windows 7I78GB
    Operating System
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS Studio
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    8GB
  • Windows 10 Dell Inspiron laptop
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