Windows 10: Dell Support Assist not wanted but needed?

DELL Inspiron 15-3576 laptop, running Windows 10 Home (64-bit) v1909, build 18363.719 with “Core i5-8250U” CPU and “Intel UHD Graphics 620” display adapter. “Device Encryption” is “OFF”. Norton Security installed.

My DELL laptop came with bloatware installed and I was prepared to allow it to stay installed while the laptop was still under guarantee. In particular I refer to ‘Dell SupportAssist’ (DSA). After the laptop guarantee and DSA ‘Service Plan’ expired I uninstalled DSA and other bloatware. Several months later I discovered that some drivers are customized by DELL and using the normal driver update methods can cause problems. In my case I used Device Manager to update the graphics driver but then found error messages every time I logged-on and every time I switched-off.

I had to restore my system from a Macrium Reflect image and then I decided to use the official “Intel Driver & Support Assistant” to interrogate my system and find the correct graphics driver but, when I tried this, it showed “A customized computer manufacturer driver is installed and the Assistant is not able to update the driver. Installing a generic driver may cause technical issues. Contact Dell for the latest driver for your computer”.

It seems that, for some drivers, DSA is needed. Has anyone else found that DSA needs to retained to avoid driver update problems?

:)

 

Dell Support Assist not wanted but needed?

I do some user support on the Dell forums. Support Assist isn't needed. You can manually access the Dell downloads, specific to your PC, by using your Service Tag. This will list all downloads based on the configuration as shipped. BIOS updates are critical to only do them manually, IF NEEDED, as we have seen Support Assist BIOS corruptions (not all but some).

Its up to you with McAfee, that was one of the first things I uninstalled on my Inspiron 15 5577 model. I don't use that bloatware and use the built in Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.

Dell support (downloads)

 

Support Assist Dell

I showed you how to reinstall Dell Support Assist in my first post.

You can also install Dell Updater if your Dell supports it. Check here:

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/s...

To troubleshoot the Bluescreen error, download, install and run BluescreenView from NirSoft here:
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view....

Report back the reported cause for further steps to fix it.

 

Dell Support Assist

Hi John,

Unfortunatly as this is a Microsoft support system we would not be able to help you further, I would suggest that you contact Dell support as the issue appears to be with their App.

Regards,

Ross