How to Completely Remove Dell Utilities?

Question

I've clean installed Windows 10 on my laptop and also installed Dell Support Assist along with other Dell software - Dell Digital Delivery & Dell Quickset.

I've now uninstalled all the Dell software since I've decided I don't need it.

However, Autoruns is currently showing the following are loaded:

Services:
Dell DataVault
DellDataVaultWiz

Drivers:
DDDriver
DellProf

Installed Directory:
C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDataVault

I also have many references to the Dell software left in the registry.I'm no fan of software which doesn't clean up properly after uninstalling it. I've disabled the above services and all is fine but I'm wary of disabling the drivers since I decided to keep the Dell Touchpad driver.

How can I completely remove the Dell services and drivers which the Dell uninstaller has failed to remove?

Mary G · Answer

Before doing anything--make sure windows 10 is activated. If it isn't you need to activate using your previous windows activation key. If you don't have a key for 7 or 8.1, reinstall windows 7 or 8.1 and do the upgrade again--not with a clean install. You must start the upgrade within windows 7 or 8.1 to qualify for the free upgrade unless you can provide a key. After activating windows 10, then you can safely do a clean install.

CCCleaner has a Registry Cleaner that can be used with great care. Leaving most dell programs in place, just disabled might be better until you know they are not needed with windows 10.

Steve489 · Answer

There are no problems with Windows activation. I've since disabled the above services and drivers in Autoruns and deleted the residual Dell directory.

Dell utility software obviously doesn't clean up properly after uninstallation which is indicative of poorly designed software. I was wondering if Dell has a program to remove all traces of their utility software? If not, they obviously need one.

Windows General

How to Completely Remove Dell Utilities?

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