setting up new PC - why so many Dell components?

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?

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.

Josey Wales said:

Some things if you remove them will break your system.

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Such as?

Josey Wales said:

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.

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That's why I didn't reimage, either.

Josey Wales said:

Just be careful going forward and that would mean restore points and image backups before any action.

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Agree.

cheaterslick said:

Such as?



That's why I didn't reimage, either.



Agree.

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The OP needs to know.

Josey Wales said:

That could be an issue with your Dell Support Warranty

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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.

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.

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Ask Dell, not the warranty their support. I posted to the OP to make a backup image and restore points.

Josey Wales said:

Ask Dell, not the warranty their support.

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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.

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


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

You can use an app called Hasleo to make a backup. A link is below to their site. It is rather straight Forward and easy to use. Just back up to an external Drive.

Hasleo

I own 3 Dells. The following uses of these apps may help you choose what you want to uninstall.

Dell Optimizer - Dell Optimizer is an artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software application built exclusively for select Dell computers. It automatically analyzes your specific usage patterns and tailors system settings to improve application performance, battery life, audio quality, and network connectivity.

Dell Support Assist - a pre-installed software application on Dell computers that automatically monitors your PC's health, optimizes performance, and manages system updates. It features automated driver and BIOS updates, hardware diagnostic scans, and AI-driven predictive issue detection.

Dell Core Services - a pre-installed software package that acts as a foundational framework for Dell applications, providing foundational system management. It supports and unifies various Dell background tools and agents, ensuring they work together to maintain your system.

Dell Trusted Device - a security software and telemetry application that protects computers below the operating system. Formerly known as Dell BIOS Verification, it helps IT administrators secure hardware, detect BIOS tampering, and monitor for indicators of attack.

Dell Command Update- Dell Command | Update is a standalone application that automatically downloads and installs critical updates—such as BIOS revisions, firmware, drivers, and application updates—specifically for Dell commercial client hardware. It simplifies maintenance and ensures your hardware runs optimally and securely. I do use this application. It will not run if you uninstall Dell Core Services. I also have disabled Dell Command Update from running at startup and use it only on demand to update my drivers and UEFI bios. Dell releases A LOT of bios updates.

Are any of the programmes in Task Manager>Startup Apps?
If so then disable one of them,power off shutdown then restart and see if that has any effect.
Continue in that method which may be safer than uninstalling.

My System One is a new Dell XPS 16 DA16260.

I set it up on May 1 with a clean install and then downloaded the Dell Command | Update app from Dell. I run it every morning for BIOS and driver updates before I run Windows Update. Its run totally problem free for almost 3 months now. Click on My Computers below for the specs.

Most Dell bloatware isn't needed apart from some utilities needed for PC control e.g. screen brightness buttons. Dell Support Assist in particular is poorly designed and caused BSODs on a friend's laptop I fixed and similar issues have been reported here by others.

I uninstalled Dell Remediation and Supportassist due to the previous update which caused BSOD. I've no wish to reinstall them as both have been problematic over the years. I use Dell Update to check for drivers which is fine for me. Yesterday, when I ran Dell Update I was offered the Dell OS Recovery Tools update which I assume is Dell Remediation again which I haven't installed. I only uninstalled Remediation and the Plugin (which was reinstalled by DU). Is there anything else I should have uninstalled to stop Remediation being offered again? Thanks.

@hershey4 You can uninstall any of these things you want. The Pro Slim is a business class machine, and the notion that removing this software affects your warranty or support is absurd.

I have hundreds of this same model running without most of the software you listed, and Dell never complains. We do use Dell Command | Update, but that’s it.

Mitch said:

Is there anything else I should have uninstalled to stop Remediation being offered again? Thanks.

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Mitch, The only Dell apps I have installed are Dell Core Services and Dell Command Update.

When using Dell Command Update I have found no way to permanently exclude anything that DCU offers. If there is a way, someone please let me know.

I converted from RAID to AHCI a long time ago and uninstalled Intel Rapid Storage Controller (IRST) driver but DCU offers it every time. When I run DCU, I just uncheck it and go on knowing I willl see the driver offered again the next time I run DCU. Same goes for Support Assist Remediation. If it is offered, I uncheck it.
This is why I have stopped DCU from automatically running at start up. I do not want to take a chance that the app or the driver gets automatically installed.
Unlike @TraderGary I have no set schedule in running DCU. Usually once a month or so, whenever I think about running it.
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My machine is 4 years old. I have had 32 UEfI bios updates during this time, all managed by DCU. This is why I strongly recommend any Dell user to use DCU, whether it be automatic or manually, dependent on your skill level.

And to anyone who thinks uninstalling Dell apps affects his warranty, I can confidently say that is untrue. If you have a warranty issue, Dell may ask you to temporarily reinstall Support Assist while they remotely work on your machine, but that it it. I know because early on I worked with Dell Support many times before this PC was straightened out.

Also to anyone who runs across this thread, dependent on whether your Dell is a business class or consumer class machine, the number of Dell apps you see installed are different.

pseymour said:

@hershey4 You can uninstall any of these things you want. The Pro Slim is a business class machine, and the notion that removing this software affects your warranty or support is absurd.

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FWIW the Pro had a steep sale discount over the Home version and a little more customization available, but mostly I thought the 3 year warranty was worth the extra ~$50 the discounted Pro cost. (even though I never get extended warranties when offered... somehow this seemed different)

joeandmarg0 said:

Are any of the programmes in Task Manager>Startup Apps?
If so then disable one of them,power off shutdown then restart and see if that has any effect.
Continue in that method which may be safer than uninstalling.

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Good idea!! Thanks.

glasskuter said:

My machine is 4 years old. I have had 32 UEfI bios updates during this time, all managed by DCU.

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My W7 PC is17 years old still running and had no bios updates during that time. And no Windows or Dell updates in the past 10 (?) years. And no driver updates afaik. Everything works fine. Chrome has not had updates in the past 3-4 years and now occasionally showing its age.

Why are so many updates needed?

If the answer is security, why have I never had a malware incident? (been computing since 90s). I suspect W7 stopped being in malware radar some time ago. My usage is admittedly very low risk. I would like the option to control the severity of hand-holding. Similar to the UAC lever. I'm willing to risk running my own PC!

sure software is more complex now and maybe more vulnerable... but WIndows maturity should offset those risks

sorry... soapbox gene kicked in...

glasskuter said:

Dell may ask you to temporarily reinstall Support Assist while they remotely work on your machine, but that it it. I know because early on I worked with Dell Support many times before this PC was straightened out.

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Me too. I had a problem with a new Dell laptop several years ago and I recall they did install stuff to diagnose/repair too. (battery wouldn't take a charge... new MOBO needed. Even had a house call. It was great service!! )

glasskuter said:

Also to anyone who runs across this thread, dependent on whether your Dell is a business class or consumer class machine, the number of Dell apps you see installed are different.

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Ah! as I was making my PRO/CON list during purchase, that would have been a CON! But probably not enough to sway the choice. The business model had a super great sale price going.

glasskuter said:

I own 3 Dells. The following uses of these apps may help you choose what you want to uninstall.

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Exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you Thank you!