3 Apprentice
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1.6K Posts
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536
April 5th, 2025 13:18
Dell Update v5.5.0 (rel. 01-Apr-2025) Installs Unnecessary Bloat
If you have removed SupportAssist v4.x from your system and use Dell Update / Alienware Update v5.x to check for available Dell software and driver updates then see the recent series of posts in my topic Support for Dell Update / Alienware Update Ending December 2024 about the apparent bloat that was installed on my system after I updated from Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.4.0 to the current v5.5.0.
To summarize, the following was added to my system after I updated to v5.5.0 on 02-Apr-2025:
- Dell Core Services v1.10.33.0 application.
- Dell TechHub service (normally used by SupportAssist to run hardware diagnostic scans, which is not a feature built in to Dell Update).
- Seven new Dell-related processes listed in Task Manager (Dell Analytics, Dell Data Manager, Dell Instrumentation, Dell Instrumentation's User Process, Dell.Core.Services, Dell TechHub, Dell.Update.SubAgent.exe).
I can also see that multiple subfolders were created or modified in C:\Program Files\Dell\ during my 02-Apr-2025 update to Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0.
None of these changes are mentioned in the Dell Update v5.x release notes or user guide at https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-ca/product/dell-update/resources/manuals that were updated on 01-Apr-2025 for v5.5.0. The "What’s new in Dell Update Version 5.5" section <here> of the release notes only states "User interface refinements with rebranding of the splash screen for Dell Update application".
I can confirm that disabling the Dell TechHub service and re-booting prevents the seven Dell processes shown in my 03-Apr-2025 image <here> from running at Windows startup, and Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 is still able to detect available updates for my system when the Dell TechHub service is disabled.
WARNING: Disabling the Dell TechHub service will break SupportAssist v4.x if this utility is also installed on your system.
As of today I haven't tested to see if uninstalling the Dell Core Services program (which I presume is also a component of SupportAssist v4.x) would have any effect on the new Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5608 * Firefox v137.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25020.1009-1.1.25030.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.9.176-129.0.5196 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0
lmacri
3 Apprentice
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1.6K Posts
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April 22nd, 2025 12:37
Problem solved - at least for me - since no one from Dell as responded to my questions.
I uninstalled Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 (as well as the Dell Core Services v1.10.33.0 added during the DU v5.5.0 installation) with Revo Uninstaller Free, and I don't plan to reinstall DU. The only Dell app left on my Inspiron 5584 (other than an old Dell CinemaColor UWP app, which I've never used) is MyDell v2.2.6.0 UWP app, which requires Dell's Fusion Service v2.2.14.0.
Here's what my C:\Program Files\Dell folder looks like now, in contrast to the image <here> in my original post showing the multiple folders created and/or modified on 02-Apr-2025 after I updated from Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.4.0 to v5.5.0.
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WARNING: Uninstalling Dell Core Services v1.10.33.0 installation using Revo Uninstaller in Aggressive Mode removed my Dell TechHub service ** (used by SupportAssist to run diagnostic hardware scans) and Dell Client Management Service (a shared Dell service previously required for older Dell software like SupportAssist v3.x and Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.4.0 and earlier), which could potentially damage other Dell software installed on your system.
I had already removed all my SupportAssist-related software (SupportAssist, Dell SupportAssist Remediation, Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery Plugin for Dell-Update) two years ago so this wasn't a great concern for me. Before allowing Revo Uninstaller to delete orphaned file and registry remnants left behind by the "normal" Control Panel uninstall of Dell Core Services I noticed that components of the Fusion Service required for my remaining MyDell v2.2.6.0 UWP app were selected for removed. After uninstalling Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 and Dell Core Services v1.10.33.0 using Revo Uninstaller in Aggressive Mode I confirmed that MyDell v2.2.6.0 would launch, but it repeatedly failed to install a program update detected during the initial auto-check for updates. This was easily remedied by uninstalling Fusion Service v2.2.14.0 and then reinstalling with a fresh copy of the Fusion Service installer downloaded from my Inspiron 5584 support page, and MyDell v2.2.6.0 and Fusion Service both appear to be running correctly again.
** NOTE: Removal of the Dell TechHub service does not prevent me from running the F12 ePSA (enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment) on-board hardware diagnostics from my Dell BIOS.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5737 * Firefox v137.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25030.2-1.1.25030.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.11.183-131.0.5227 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0 * Revo Uninstaller Free Portable v2.5.8
lmacri
3 Apprentice
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1.6K Posts
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April 7th, 2025 13:05
Just FYI, I discovered another surprise that isn't mentioned in the current Dell Update 5.x Release Notes <here> revised 01-Apr-2025 for v5.5.0.
If you expand the Important Information section of the installer details <here> for Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 (Dell-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_7CJ1W_WIN64_5.5.0_A00.EXE) it states in part:
Coincidentally, the MS .NET Desktop Runtime v8.0 was already installed on my Inspiron 5584 (it's a system requirement for my QuickInstaller software) before I started the upgrade from v5.4.0 to 5.5.0 so the upgrade to v5.5.0 did not abort on my system and/or remove Dell Client Management Service (a system requirement for the previous Dell Update v5.4.0 and a few other Dell utilities) from my Windows Services.
NOTE: The image above of my Windows Services was captured on 02-Apr-2025 BEFORE I manually disabled the Dell TechHub service that was added to my Inspiron 5584 during the update to Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5608 * Firefox v137.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25020.1009-1.1.25030.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.9.176-129.0.5196 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0
(edited)
lmacri
3 Apprentice
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1.6K Posts
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April 25th, 2025 14:23
Just FYI, I'm still discovering additional bloat on my system after the uninstall of the re-designed Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 (rel. 01-Apr-2025) that I suspect was added by the v5.5.0 installer (Dell-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_7CJ1W_WIN64_5.5.0_A00.EXE).
For example, see my 22-Apr-2025 topic KB5056686 (.NET v8.0.15) Delivered Twice in April 2025 about new 32-bit (x86) .NET v8 components – namely Microsoft ASP .NET Core 8.0.15 – Shared Framework (x86) and Microsoft Windows Desktop Runtime 8.0.15 (x86) – that appeared on my system in April 2025.
NOTE: Microsoft .NET Desktop Runtime v8 (x64) is a system requirement for my QuickInstaller software and has been installed on my system since March 2023.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5737 * Firefox v137.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25030.2-1.1.25030.1 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.11.183-131.0.5227 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0
lmacri
3 Apprentice
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1.6K Posts
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June 14th, 2025 11:33
I stand corrected. I now suspect that Intel Driver and Support Assistant (DSA) v25.2.15.9 (rel. 13-Apr-2025) was responsible for installing the extra 32-bit (x86) .NET Runtime v8 components that appeared on my system in April 2025. See my 13-Jun-2025 post # 2782417 in my topic KB5056686 (.NET v8.0.15) Delivered Twice in April 2025 in the AskWoody forum.
However, the "Important Information" section of the Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 release notes <here> does confirm that 64-bit (x64) .NET Runtime v8 is now a pre-requisite for this Dell utility. I have not changed my mind about the other bloat added to my system by Dell Update v5.5.0 (e.g., the Dell Core Services, Dell TechHub, etc. I described in my original post) and this utility has been permanently removed from my system.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5965 * Firefox v139.0.4 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25050.5-1.1.25050.6 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.3.2.195-134.1.5283 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0
(edited)
lmacri
3 Apprentice
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1.6K Posts
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July 5th, 2025 12:29
Does anyone know why Dell pulled the original Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.5.0 installer (Dell-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_7CJ1W_WIN64_5.5.0_A00.EXE, rel. 01-Apr-2025)? The download link I used that was on my Inspiron 15 5584 support page (https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-ca/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=7cj1w&oscode=wt64a&productcode=inspiron-15-5584-laptop) now throws a "Driver unavailable. We're sorry, the driver you are looking for is no longer available" error.
I checked my Inspiron 15 5584 support page <here> today and it's currently offering a different v5.5.0 installer (Dell-Update-Windows-Universal-Application_M8VJW_WIN64_5.5.0_A00.EXE, rel. 30-Jun-2025) but I have no idea what changes, if any, are included in the new M8VJW installer.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5965 * Firefox v140.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.25050.5-1.1.25050.6 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.3.3.198-135.0.5296 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0
Jules W
1 Rookie
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51 Posts
2
July 31st, 2025 14:48
Frustrating incompetence by the Dell software chaps again.
This is happening on Optiplex and Latitude machines.
Business machines shouldn't mickey mouse software from the vendor on them.
And should be acknowledged then addressed with a sense of urgency.
garioch7
5 Practitioner
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271 Posts
1
July 31st, 2025 20:07
I long ago uninstalled both SupportAssist and Dell Update from my computer. I check weekly for new drivers/BIOS updates, using my Service Tags for both computers, on the Dell Support website.
As others are discovering, they are more trouble than they are worth, if the computer is no longer under warranty.
Just my two cents. I do not work for, nor do I represent Dell.
Have a great day.
Regards,
Phil
Jules W
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51 Posts
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August 1st, 2025 16:07
@garioch7 Yeah - Not something that we should have to accept managing fleets of Dell computers.