Updating Drivers for Dell XPS 9710

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Does anyone have experience with updating drivers using the Dell Command – Deploy Driver Pack for a Dell XPS 9710?  Dell has recently recommended (non-critical) that I use this to update drivers.  Since I got the XPS 9710 in March 2022, I have been updating drivers using Dell SupportAssist, which Dell had previously recommended (except that I use Intel and NVIDIA software to update Intel and NVIDIA drivers).

Dell’s email recommending the Driver Pack said: “The driver pack helps systems with the Windows operating system deployment process by using Microsoft End Point Manager Configuration Manager (MEMCM) or Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT).”

My PC:  Dell XPS 9710, 11th Gen Intel Core i7, 64 GB RAM.  Windows 11 home 22H2.

Me: I am just an average home user, not an IT support professional.

My immediate question:  Is there a benefit to using the Dell Command – Deploy Driver Pack to update drivers rather than Dell SupportAssist?

More fundamental question #1:  Should I be using Dell software at all to update the drivers used by components in my Dell PC that were manufactured by other manufacturers (Intel, Realtek, NVIDIA, etc), or should I try to keep updated by going directly to the websites or software of the manufacturers of the non-Dell components?  Dell’s integration of the driver updates is convenient.  But I have read several stories where Dell has gotten some driver updates wrong.

More fundamental question #2:  Should I be doing a comprehensive driver update at all?  In researching the Command-Deploy Drive Pack versus SupportAssist question, I found a number of system managers saying they only update drivers for security issues.  Otherwise, their policy for a PC that’s functioning properly is “set and forget” – do not constantly update drivers.

Dell XPS17, 11th Gen Intel I7, 64gb RAM, Windows 11 Home 23H2

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Hi Paul:

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop and had never heard of the Dell Command | Deploy Driver Pack before reading your post, but the release notes <here> refer to the Dell Client Command Suite that system administrators can use to deploy driver updates to remotely managed client computers on a network so I’m not sure why Dell would recommend that 2 GB driver pack to a home computer user. If one of the XPS users in this AskWoody forum doesn’t reply here you might be better off asking about this driver pack in the XPS Laptop board at https://www.dell.com/community/en/topics/xps and see what other XPS users there have to say about it.

I’m not a gamer and don’t need the latest and greatest graphics drivers so I only install hardware drivers that are listed on the support page for my Inspiron 5584 and are recommended by SupportAssist v3.x and/or Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.x ***.  This way I know that the drivers I install are certified to work with my Dell BIOS. See my 29-Jul-2023 post in sewing1243’s New Norton Driver Updater Utility in the Dell SupportAssist for PCs board about problems I’ve had in the past after installing newer drivers recommended by the original hardware manufacturer that weren’t certified by Dell.

I personally don’t like Dell SupportAssist v3.x – it’s too buggy, system optimization scans (Clean Files / Tune Performance / Optimize Network) are too aggressive, and it loads at boot-up and consumes too many system resources.  I uninstalled all my SupportAssist-related software a few months ago [including SupportAssist OS Recovery (a.k.a Dell SupportAssist Remediation) and the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery Plugin for Dell Update] and now run a manual update check every week or so with Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.x to look for available updates for my Dell software and hardware drivers. If I want to run a Dell hardware diagnostic I use Dell’s F12 ePSA (enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment) hardware diagnostics from my BIOS (see the instruction video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cfFECs5Qa0). In place of SupportAssist OS Recovery I now use Macrium Reflect Free v8.0 imaging software to create the occasional full disk image that I save on an external USB backup drive in case I every need to perform an emergency recovery of my system.
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*** Note that the support page <here> for your XPS 17 9710 currently lists two similar apps – Dell/Alienware Update Windows Universal Application (Dell-Alienware-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_6WNYT_WIN_5.0.0_A00.EXE, rel. 31-Jul-2023) and Dell Command | Update Windows Universal Application (Dell-Command-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_1WR6C_WIN_5.0.0_A00.EXE, rel. 31-Jul-2023).  If you ever decide to replace SupportAssist you would have to click the This Device tab as shown below and enter your unique Service Tag to see which Windows Universal app is recommended for your specific system configuration.

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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.3324 * Firefox v116.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.23070.1004-1.1.23070.1005 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.34.275-1.0.2102 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.0.0 * My Dell v2.2.4.0 * Fusion Service v2.2.14.0 * Dell Inspiron 5583/5584 BIOS v1.22.1

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WSdzellman, Paul

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I’ve updated the drivers on several Dell laptops (Latitudes) before “upgrading” them from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10. I always followed the info in this link:

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000183911/how-to-download-and-install-dell-drivers

Never had any problems.

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Paul

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Thanks, DrBonzo,

I think we’re on the same page.   I don’t need the 2gb Dell Command | Deploy Driver Pack.

The recommendation in your link is to use SupportAssist, and your link provides guidance for doing that.  That’s what I’ll do.

Paul

Dell XPS17, 11th Gen Intel I7, 64gb RAM, Windows 11 Home 23H2

1 user thanked author for this post.

DrBonzo

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Hi lmacri,

Thank you replying and for all the good information.

Dell’s recommendation that I install Dell Command | Deploy Driver Pack came in an email (“Dell Notifications – Dell Technical Updates”) yesterday.  Like you, I was surprised that Dell wanted me to install this 2gb download to do future driver updates.  I have been using SupportAssist (currently version: 3.14.0.91) without problems.

Although I have been using SupportAssist, like you I have found it more aggressive than needed (particularly all sorts of unnecessary scans, cleanings, and optimizations).  All I want to do is update out-of-date drivers.  But I can be selective and only do the driver scan without the other stuff.

I had not heard of Dell Update Windows Universal Application that you mentioned.  https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=kjp8k

Its support page says: “Dell Update application automatically updates critical fixes and important device drivers as they become available. This package is compatible only with Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Redstone 1) or later, and Windows 11 operating system.”  That support page automatically found my computer model and Dell Service Support Tag.  However, it said: “This driver is not compatible.  This driver is not applicable for [my service support tag number] with Windows 11.”  Dell’s wording is sloppy because it’s not a driver but, rather, an auto update app.

I followed your suggestion of going to the support page for my model XPS 9710.  When I went to that page, it invoked SupportAssist, which in turn did the same driver scan that would have happened if I went to SupportAssist directly.  It recommended that I install the Dell/Alienware Update Universal Application (which, I think, is an alternative to the Dell Update Windows Universal Application).  The Dell/Alienware Update Application automatically updates critical fixes and important device drivers as they become available.  I decided that for my level of skill, automatically doing critical and important updates is ok.  So I installed the Dell/Alienware driver updater.  Then restarted.

Now when I go to the support page for XPS 9710 it says my system is up to date.  Likewise for SupportAssist.

So, bottom line for me, for now, is I don’t need the 2gb Dell Command | Deploy Driver Pack that Dell recommended in yesterday’s email.  Your helpful comments got me to the Dell/Alienware Update Application.  For now, all seems good.  Thank you.

Paul

 

Dell XPS17, 11th Gen Intel I7, 64gb RAM, Windows 11 Home 23H2

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Paul wrote:

… The Dell/Alienware Update Application automatically updates critical fixes and important device drivers as they become available. I decided that for my level of skill, automatically doing critical and important updates is ok. So I installed the Dell/Alienware driver updater…

Hi Paul:

If the Dell/Alienware Update Windows Universal Application v5.0.0 for your XPS 17 9710 is similar to the Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.0.0 app I use on my Inspiron 5584 (which I assume it is) then “automatically updates” is not entirely accurate. Unlike SupportAssist, the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app for my Inspiron laptop does not automatically load at Windows startup and run in the background, and Dell Update must be launched from my Start button programs list. After I click the “Check” button it provides a list of available updates and then lets me disable any updates I don’t want before I click “Install” to proceed with the installation.  Essentially, Dell Update works just a like a manual check for updates from SupportAssist’s Home tab at Get Drivers and Downloads | Run.

Just note that many users in the Dell forum advise against allowing utilities like Dell Update v4.x and/or SupportAssist v3.x to install BIOS updates just in case the update fails to run to completion and prevents you from booting up your system. See my 03-Dec-2022 post in RotcivZednanreh’s Dell G3 3579 3 Amber and 1 White Battery Code and Won’t Turn On for more information.

Two alternate methods for manually installing BIOS updates are always posted in the “Installation Instructions” section of the detailed BIOS release notes.  I use the “Updating the BIOS from Windows” method (I always save the .EXE installer for the BIOS update on my desktop and then right-click and choose “Run as Administrator”) but the safest method is to use the “Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu” method and flash your BIOS from the F12 BIOS boot menu using a removable USB stick .

Paul wrote:

… Although I have been using SupportAssist, like you I have found it more aggressive than needed (particularly all sorts of unnecessary scans, cleanings, and optimizations). All I want to do is update out-of-date drivers. But I can be selective and only do the driver scan without the other stuff …

If you have SupportAssist and don’t want it running scheduled automatic system optimization scans (Clean Files / Tune Performance / Optimize Network) then go to Options (gear icon) | Settings | Automate Scans and Optimizations and ensure that that Set Your System to Automatically Run Scans and Performance Optimization is disabled (Note: you must click the “Save” button to save any setting changes). However, this will stop all SupportAssist background scans, including automatic update scans. Here’s an old image I captured in Dec 2022:

Paul wrote:

… I have been using SupportAssist (currently version: 3.14.0.91) without problems…

If Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features shows you still have v3.14.0 (rel. 27-Apr-2023) then you might be a few versions behind. SupportAssist should run a self-check for a programs update each time it is manually launched but you can also trigger a check for a newer SupportAssist version (which I think is currently v3.14.2 ) at Options (gear icon) | About. Here’s an image I captured back in Feb 2023 just before I uninstalled SupportAssist:

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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.3324 * Firefox v116.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.23070.1004-1.1.23070.1005 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.34.275-1.0.2102 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.0.0 * My Dell v2.2.4.0 * Fusion Service v2.2.14.0 * Dell Inspiron 5583/5584 BIOS v1.22.1

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Paul

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Once again, lmacri, thank you for the good advice and clear explanations.  I hadn’t even noticed the addition of Dell Update to the Win 11 menu.

I also appreciate your comment on not allowing Dell Update or SupportAssist to install BIOS updates.  I’ve actually learned that the hard way.  One month after getting the XPS 9710 I allowed SupportAssist to update BIOS, and it fried my motherboard.  Fortunately, I have Dell Premium Tech Support (in-home), and a very knowledgeable tech support guy from a Dell sub-contractor replaced the motherboard.

After the motherboard incident, I kept ignoring BIOS updates for nearly a year.  I was not aware of the two alternative methods you pointed out for updating BIOS without using SupportAssist.  Finally, I got worried about the security of an outdated BIOS and allowed SupportAssist to update it.  It went well, and I got complacent.  So, when an updated BIOS was again offered, I accepted – and this time, once again, it borked my motherboard.  The same tech support guy came, installed motherboard #3, and all has been good ever since.  Of course, when I asked what’s going on with BIOS updates and fried motherboards, the Dell rep was tight-lipped.

I am quite happy with my XPS 9710, but I have extended my Dell Premium Tech Support contract for two more years.

Dell XPS17, 11th Gen Intel I7, 64gb RAM, Windows 11 Home 23H2

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lmacri wrote:

… Two alternate methods for manually installing BIOS updates are always posted in the “Installation Instructions” section of the detailed BIOS release notes. I use the “Updating the BIOS from Windows” method (I always save the .EXE installer for the BIOS update on my desktop and then right-click and choose “Run as Administrator”) but the safest method is to use the “Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu” method and flash your BIOS from the F12 BIOS boot menu using a removable USB stick …

Hi Paul:

Further to my post # 2582026, the support page <here> for your XPS 17 9710 is currently recommending the Dell XPS 17 9710 System BIOS v1.21.0 (rel. 11-Jul-2023). If you don’t know your current BIOS version open a Run dialog box (Windows key + R), enter msinfo32 to open your System Information panel, and look for “BIOS Version / Date” in the system summary.

For future reference, if you want to read the full instructions for manually updating your BIOS firmware then click the “View full driver details” link as shown below to open the release notes …

… and then scroll down the release notes and expand the “Installation Instructions” section. Instructions for both methods (i.e., Updating the BIOS from Windows and the safer Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu) are always listed in every version of the BIOS release notes.

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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.3324 * Firefox v116.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.23070.1004-1.1.23070.1005 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.6.0.277-1.0.2114 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7279 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.0.0 * My Dell v2.2.4.0 * Fusion Service v2.2.14.0 * Dell Inspiron 5583/5584 BIOS v1.22.1

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Paul

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Mine just has “Dell Update” in the menu and it seems to do everything.

cheers, Paul

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I know this post is marked as Resolved but I just wanted to add an observation. While I agree with what’s been said, I use Support Assist and/or Dell Update to search for updated drivers for our Dell machines. I would, however caution against simply downloading drivers from the Support website just because they are offered for your Service Tag. I have been offered driver updates from the website for devices not installed on the PC even when entering a Service Tag. This includes Firmware updates for several SSD’s none of which we have. It’s possible that the drivers would simply fail to install once downloaded but it’s best to do a thorough check in Device Manager beforehand. Dell Update lists the drivers installed on the PC under System Information when the program starts. Support Assist has become much more stable recently in Version 4 and I’m happy to wait for updates to appear however it’s best to be wary about BIOS updates.

Hope this helps.

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