Hi Codrut Popescu:

What is your Windows OS (please include your version and OS build number) and what antivirus program do you use?  Are you certain your Alienware Aurora R16 does not have Dell SupportAssist v4.x *** or some other software program (e.g., Norton 360, CCleaner Professional, AVG TuneUp, etc.) that includes a software updater feature?

*** NOTE: If you do have Dell SupportAssist v4.x installed turn off automatic updating as instructed <here> in the User Guide.

From my own Inspiron 5584 / Windows 10 machine at Settings | Apps | Apps and Features when I search for "dell":

NOTE:  IF installed, SupportAssist v4.x (like my Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.x app) normally lists two separate components at Setting | Apps | Apps & Features - the main application named "Dell SupportAssist" (with the same version number listed at Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features) as well as small "helper" APPx module named "SupportAssist" that contains files and credentials required to install and run the main application.

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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5131 * Firefox v132.0.2 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24090.11-1.1.24090.11 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.2.154-1.0.5101 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.4.0 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0

Unfortunately I don't use the Aurora anymore, I have a new PC with the parts from my Alienware. I am using Windows 11 24H2. The problem is, even if now my motherboard is Asus, I still have an Alienware monitor and mouse. Because of the Alienware monitor and mouse the AWCC keeps reinstalling. It was a good tip about checking the Control Panel

Hopefully now after uninstalling Dell Core Services it will stay away.

Thank You!

Well, unfortunatelly it keeps reinstalling

I read somewhere that in C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository under some of these folders

you need to delete the AWCCInstallationManager.exe

wherever you find them.
I will give it a try. If someone knows any other solution please let us know

Thanks

Unfortunately I don't use the Aurora anymore, I have a new PC with the parts from my Alienware. I am using Windows 11 24H2. The problem is, even if now my motherboard is Asus, I still have an Alienware monitor and mouse. Because of the Alienware monitor and mouse the AWCC keeps reinstalling ...

Hi Codrut Popescu:

I don't use any Dell/Alienware peripheral hardware like your monitor, mouse and webcam with my Inspiron 5584, but I agree it's possible your current hybrid ASUS/Alienware computer is trying to install some sort of hardware management software (e.g., similar to the Dell Peripheral Manager) to manage those peripherals.

Before you delete AWCCInstallationManager.exe I'd suggest you check in your Windows Services to see if there are any services that start with "Dell" or "Alienware" (see my image below). If you temporarily change the Startup Type of a single Dell / Alienware service to DISABLED and re-boot and this prevents the re-installation of AWCC this should help you pinpoint the problem software.  The only danger is that you could disable a service required for your Alienware monitor and end up with a blank monitor after re-boot.

If you find any Dell or Alienware service installed on your system and don't know its function you can post in the Alienware Desktops board of this forum and ask there.

Unfortunately, Win 11 v24H2 is still a work in progress (see the Known Issues at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-11-24h2#known-issues) and many users are reporting buggy behaviour because their third-party software and/or drivers are not fully compatible with v24H2 yet.
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Just an aside, but Dell computer models like my Inspiron 5584 ship with software called Dell SupportAssist for Home PCs that can check for available Dell software and driver updates, run hardware diagnostics, perform automated disk cleaning, etc.  I uninstalled SupportAssist from my Inspiron 5584 after my Dell service warranty expired (it was too buggy and used too much CPU and RAM) but this software installs multiple services.  This includes the Dell Client Managemenet Service (which I believe is called Alienware Client Management Service on Alien models), which is a common service shared by multiple Dell utilities that will not run correctly if this service is not running.  SupportAssist also requires the Dell TechHub service to run hardware diagnostic scans, and your 30-Nov-2024 image <above> appears to show a Dell TechHub package being installed on your system by your AWCC Installation Manager.

Here is an old Feb 2023 image from my Inspiron 5584 when Dell SupportAssist and Dell SupportAssist Remediation (also know as Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery) were still installed on my laptop.

Since uninstalling all my SupportAssist-related software the Dell TechHub service and most of my other Dell services have disappeared, and all I have now is Dell Client Management Service (still required for my Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.x utility) and Fusion Service (required for my MyDell v2.x app).
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5131 * Firefox v133.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24090.11-1.1.24090.11 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.2.154-1.0.5101 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.4.0 * MyDell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0

Under
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\
you will find some folders which contain the driver files, for Alienware these are named awcc_*, for example

awcc_awccappandwin32_dchu_component.inf_amd64_59695c79e4256506

if you look inside you will find AWCCInstallationManager.exe
The problem is that Dell is including the AWCC with the driver files because it considers the AWCC as part of their product.


I was able to prevent from reinstalling AWCC by using the Policy Editor of Windows 11 Pro

Computer Configuration -> Windows Components -> Windows Update -> Manage Updates offered from Windows Update -> "Do not include drivers with Windows Updates" (Enabled)

Then I did an uninstall of everything Dell or Alienware and used the 3rd party DriverStore Explorer v0.11.92 to cleanup all Dell/Alienware drivers (I still have the monitor driver). In my case the only hardware I have from Alienware is a monitor and a mouse. This AWCC software allows you to control the RGB which I don't care about.

Unfortunately this will come back when you "check for updates" the next time... 

Dell has installed a malware suite with it's alienware monitor drivers... in my case... 

If you remove it via the steps above. It will stay removed until windows runs update again... you're basically postponing the inevitable... 

I'm lucky I even caught it was installed because they sneakily installed it... I found it was installed because it was causing errors ( a disconnect/reconnect tone ) so I looked through my windows logs I was amazed as to how much absolute garbage was pulled down... Alien control center and dell core services? Give me a break!

I'm fortunate I caught this within the 30 days of purchasing this monitor... Returning it for a refund and not buying anymore dell stuff... This is absolutely terrible. Literally running a dozen applications to control my LED on the back of the monitor which can be controlled via the monitor control panel anway.. And there is NO option provided to prevent installation because it's a "DRIVER"... 

If you have Windows Pro I had good results using the Policy Editor ("Do not include drivers with Windows Updates"). But then you have to manually check for driver updates from time to time.

I was able to prevent from reinstalling AWCC by using the Policy Editor of Windows 11 Pro

Computer Configuration -> Windows Components -> Windows Update -> Manage Updates offered from Windows Update -> "Do not include drivers with Windows Updates" (Enabled)

Hi Codrut Popescu :

Glad to hear you found a solution.

For users with a Home edition of Win 10 or Win 11, the following settings change should also help to prevent automatic driver installations and updates. 

1. Open your Advanced System Settings by going to Settings | System | About and select the Advanced System Settings link (under Related Settings).  You can also open a Run dialog box and enter sysdm.cpl or simply search for "Advanced System Settings" from the search box on your taskbar.
2. Choose the Hardware tab and click the Device Installation Settings button.
3. For the question "Do you want to automatically download manufacturers' apps and custom icons available for your devices?" select "No (your device might not work as expected)" and then click Save Changes. 

BONUS:  If you have a Win 10 OS, changing this advanced system setting to "No"  should also stop the dozens of Event ID 131 errors that are likely being logged daily in your Event Viewer at Application and Services Logs | Microsoft | Windows | DeviceSetupManager | Admin.  See DiverJer's 08-Dec-2023 Device Setup Manager Metadata Staging Failed Event ID 131 for more information.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v22H2 build 19045.5247 * Firefox v133.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.24090.11-1.1.24090.11 * Malwarebytes Premium v5.2.3.156-1.0.5108 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.7783 * Dell Update for Windows Universal v5.4.0 * My Dell v2.2.6.0 * Fusion Service 2.2.14.0

I have the "Automatically download manufacturer's apps and custom icons" disabled as described above, but any time the display driver is updated (i.e. my NVidia driver) it pulls back Alienware Command Center with it. What a nightmare...

Try to disable this Service (Device Setup Manager) and report back

I think I have found a way to prevent AWCC without stopping Driver updates completely.

In my case AWCC was installing because I'm using an Alienware mouse. I love the mouse, but I hate AWCC.

So what I did was to identify the hardware id in the  Device Manager

And then in Local Group Policy (gpedit.msc) Compute Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Device Installation -> Device Installation Restrictions -> Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device instance IDs

Put the IDs

This worked for me and I find it the most elegant solution. I can now finally enjoy my PC and my Alienware mouse :)

When I was thinking I had resolved the issue here's what happens

Dell, I hate you deeply.