Area-51 R4, clean install of win11, unwanted Dell applications

Question

I attempted to clean up a number of problems that accumulated since I bought the system with 10 and had upgraded to 11. Lots of un-necesssary files and a lot of broken items in the registry from un-installs that failed to remove all items.

I selected the reset option that did not save any of my files as I had made an Acronis backup of the OS drive and in addition had copied a number of items to the D drive to make the win11 install as painless as possible. I had also downloaded all necessary drivers such as chiset, etc from as listed under my Dell product ID.

At some point in the install, possibly after the first reboot, I had a number of items downloaded from Dell, in particular McAfee and parts of the Cyberlink Media Suite. None of these applications are listed under my Dell product ID. I did not log onto Dell so they must have been downloaded thru Microsoft's win11 "reset" somehow. These applications predate win11 and are unwanted. After uninstalling the Media Suite and especially McAfee, I discovered that I can no longer bring up the Windows Defender Device Security page.

There is a discussion of this problem here:

I spent about 6 hours trying to solve the problem and was unable. The device security page allows core protection to be enabled. I had been able to turn on Core Protection some time ago and it was still enabled before I did the clean win11 reset. I assume that the uninstall of McAfee caused the problem. I am guessin I wlll need to do an ISO install of windows 11 to prevent those Dell apps from downloading again.

Tesla1856 · Accepted Answer

@Joseph Stateson wrote:

At some point in the install, possibly after the first reboot, I had a number of items downloaded from Dell, in particular McAfee and parts of the Cyberlink Media Suite. None of these applications are listed under my Dell product ID. I did not log onto Dell so they must have been downloaded thru Microsoft's win11 "reset" somehow.

It sounds like you are going-for a clean Install of Windows-11.

I suggest you do it like this:

https://www.dell.com/community/Windows-General-Wiki/Guide-to-migrate-to-a-New-Windows-11-computer/ta-p/8307872

Davespace · Answer

I recently did a fresh install of Windows 10 from USB and then immediately updated it to 11. I did not download any drivers from Dell whatsoever. Windows somehow managed to find all the drivers and updated them, both software and, surprisingly, firmware. Zero problems. Perhaps you could try this.

Vanadiel · Answer

If you use the installation media directly from Microsoft, it should not be downloading any drivers from Dell. A reset is likely going to mess things up, since it's not a clean installation.

Joseph Stateson · Answer

Wrong link was listed

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-11-core-isolation-page-not-available-the/a3498971-7c1c-49a1-b6c8-a57c25f215e2

seems I had only a few minutes to edit that page

Joseph Stateson · Answer

@Davespace wrote:

I recently did a fresh install of Windows 10 from USB and then immediately updated it to 11. I did not download any drivers from Dell whatsoever. Windows somehow managed to find all the drivers and updated them, both software and, surprisingly, firmware. Zero problems. Perhaps you could try this.

Firmware is a Dell product. Clearly, a Microsoft upgrade knows to go to Dell to get stuff. In you case it was needed.

Joseph Stateson · Answer

After a long discussion here

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/unable-to-access-core-isolation-page-after-clean/f100f3f5-9035-468d-9042-f2d78e956374

I did a clean install using an ISO and a flash drive.

I also declined to use the data stored at Microsoft under my account other than the digital license.

I received no Dell software such as McAfee or that media suite and except for having to put up with OneDrive, all is working. My system is cleaned up, core protection is on. I am missing the alienware background image but I can download that somewhere I suspect.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@Joseph Stateson wrote:

1. I did a clean install using an ISO and a flash drive.

2. I also declined to use the data stored at Microsoft under my account other than the digital license.

3. I received no Dell software such as McAfee or that media suite and

4. except for having to put up with OneDrive, all is working. My system is cleaned up, core protection is on.

5. I am missing the alienware background image but I can download that somewhere I suspect.

1. Good

2. Good

3. Correct. I've found (free) Microsoft Security works just fine. The Dell Media Suite might be available from Microsoft store, or I just use VLC .

5. Correct

4. Here are some OneDrive tips:

OneDrive Setup (on a new machine).

On Windows-11, the OneDrive app should be be in the TaskTray, so open it.
Login with your credentials.
Accept the default location on local OS drive (ie C:\Users\Owner\OneDrive\ )
The next screen is "Backup Your Folders". This is the "problem option".
- UN-SELECT Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders, and then click SKIP button.
- - OneDrive should now work like a simple "DropBox" (what most people want).

When asked about Office-365, select Not-Now button.
Click-thru the tutorial.
Skip the Mobile-App for now.
Open your OneDrive folder to end setup.

The new option "Files On Demand" should be OFF. Then, all files/folders will always be downloaded locally to your computer (what most people want).

All the other OneDrive Default Settings should be fine, however, you probably want to set this one also:
OneDrive-Settings/Backup/ScreenShots: I enable this as it is handy (on various computers).

Alienware Desktops

Area-51 R4, clean install of win11, unwanted Dell applications

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