randomnut

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randomnut

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December 13th, 2024 10:17

Permanently stop Alienware Command Center from installing?

I have an alienware aw32 and I am getting really tired of Alienware Command Center installing on my PC automatically.

I've tried not having the USB cable plugged in which doesn't help

I've tried taking ownership and deleting the awcc folder within C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\ which works for a time until there's a new version of control center released which then gets pushed out and windows installs it automatically

I've also tried disabling the option to download manufacturers hardware apps from within advanced system settings

In Win 11 is there any way to stop this from automatically installing?  It's like a virus at this point, continually installing when it is completely unwanted.

  • DELL-Nat M

    Community Manager

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    Posted May 29th, 2025 13:37

    Hi everyone,

    We wanted to share a quick update regarding the Alienware Command Center (AWCC) and its behavior on non-Alienware systems.

     What's the Issue?

    Some users have noticed that AWCC installs automatically when connecting Alienware peripherals (like keyboards, mice, or monitors) to non-Alienware computers. This happens due to Windows Automatic Identification, which triggers the installation to support the connected device.

    While this is expected behavior, we understand it can be surprising, especially if you're not using an Alienware system and didn’t intend to install the software.

    What’s the Fix?

    Starting with AWCC version 6.6.x.x, Dell has introduced a prompt that asks whether you want to install the application. This gives you more control and helps avoid unexpected installations.


    You can read the full support article here: 🔗 Alienware Command Center Automatically Installs on a Non-Alienware Computer

    (edited)

    #IWork4Dell

  • redxps630

    11 Legend

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    Posted December 13th, 2024 19:25

    AWCC is bloatware and if you have SA it makes things worse.  SA has superuser privilege.

    you need to remove all Dell software and do a clean Win11 install only with MS installation media.

  • randomnut

    2 Intern

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    Posted December 13th, 2024 20:36

    My PC isn't a dell, it's my own build using default win11 media.  The only Dell thing is my alienware monitor and awcc is getting automatically installed without any sort of input or authorization from me.  It is complete bloatware and insidious in that I remove it and it just comes back again and won't stop installing no matter what I try. I'm beginning to think the only solution is to not use an Alienware monitor at all in future as other vendors don't behave in such an untrustworthy and invasive way.

  • randomnut

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    Posted May 17th, 2025 22:42

    @Phumtopchen​ thanks for the detailed instructions brother, I will try that. Shame that dell makes it so difficult to avoid it 

  • Jim0566

    2 Intern

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    Posted May 28th, 2025 12:33

    I used wushowhide.diagcab the last time this installed and today it's back. It couldn't find it then or now. It's not listed there because it's not coming from Windows Update. The trash is actually coming from from the store. This will be my last purchase of anything Dell.

    (edited)

  • Jim0566

    2 Intern

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    Posted July 6th, 2025 13:29

    Since Dell won't stop trying to install AWCC and the monitor decided it wouldn't power on , it got returned under warranty to Best Buy and now I have an MSI MPG 321CURX. This monitor may not have Dolby Vision but the picture is still better and I have a KVN switch. No issues and will never buy another Dell product.

    (edited)

  • alphamachina

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    Posted December 10th, 2025 19:12

    <Prohibited word or character substitution used. See the Forum Code of Conduct. DELL-Admin>

    This Dell Alienware Control Center garbage bloatware is atrocious. I recently purchased a $700 Alienware OLED gaming monitor only to, since I first built this monster of a 9800X3D / RTX 5080 system, start having issues with instability, apps crashing, Windows explorer not opening, task manager not opening, my internet browser crashing, and it all pointed back to this ridiculous software that keeps trying to install on my system.

    I removed everything, disabled and deleted services, and ran CCleaner in Safe Mode to clear the registry of your bloat, and finally my system is running normally again. But every time I come back from the monitor being off for a while, or after rebooting my system, the stupid prompt to install what I can, after my experience with it, only describe as malware, pops back up again, requiring me to click no every single time. I don't want this. So, the monitor is going back to Amazon for a second time after the last one had issues with flickering when VRR was enabled.

    What a pitiful experience this has been. 

    I don't even want this software popping up to ASK if I want to install it. If I wanted to install it, I would go download it and do so myself. I'm sick and tired of these corporations treating their customers like children. I'll be returning this monitor and getting something less intrusive and destructive. Plug a monitor into my PC and suddenly I have twenty different Dell services and programs running in the background, messing up my fresh install of Windows. 

    In this modern age where the consumer electronics industry is getting the short end of the stick, no company is too big to fail. You better start changing your methods, Dell, or you might be going by the wayside as more electronics manufacturers move away from the consumer market. 

    DO BETTER. Because this utterly stupid bloatware is pushing customers away, I can promise you that. You companies have been doing this with your 'software' for decades now and people aren't going to stand for it anymore. This isn't usable in its current state. When I install a simple app to control my monitor and it utterly destroys the functionality of a $4000 PC, you're doing something wrong, and it needs to stop. 

    (edited)

  • CRTB

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    Posted December 30th, 2025 21:55

    Add me to the list of thoroughly annoyed customers because of this.


    Every time I boot up my PC, and sometimes many times while the PC is running, I'll get a popup from 'AW.NotificationUtility.exe" telling me "You must install .NET Desktop Runtime to run this application" and then an option to "Download it now - You will need it to run the downloaded installer" or "Close".

    99% of the time I just click close, because I don't want this bloatware, all I own is a monitor and its job is to display a picture via HDMI which it's doing fine so I don't need any other nonsense taking up diskspace, slowing my PC, scraping my browsing details to advertise to me 'better' or just generally getting in the way of what I use my PC for. Just no.

    However I have on a couple of occasions pressed to download the installer, thinking that maybe there'll be a "leave me alone forever" option after that, but annoyingly even that seems to then do nothing and install nothing so I'm completely perplexed.

    I've taken to just being constantly annoyed and clicking "cancel" every time this bloatware pops up now, because I can't be bothered editing registries or fiddling with Windows update options with no guarantee of success because WHY SHOULD I? My time is more valuable, it was annoying enough to have to waste my time creating an account to whinge here but at least this is cathartic.

    Now every time that popup appears (and it appears regularly) I spend 1 second clicking "cancel" but each time I hate Alienware and Dell a little more, it's a constant irritant that is souring my relationship with a company that I've paid damned good money to for a top-end monitor. I cannot envisage a scenario where whilst this message is still popping up I ever buy another Dell product. Sadly it only started appearing long after my right to return expired, otherwise I'd have been down that avenue and getting a similar panel from a different company.

  • user_ffafc5

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    Posted January 4th, 2026 00:58

    I purchased an OLED 32" DELL monitor and am experiencing the same issue. My Windows 11 PC keeps prompting me to install Alienware Control Centre. Have wasted hours trying to contact support with no luck. Will be returning this monitor and seeking a full refund. It's a shame i wont get reimbursed for the time I have wasted on this but at least I know never to buy DELL again.

  • Casual87

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    Posted February 11th, 2026 03:19

    I can see I am not nearly alone in this problem. I bought the 34" QDOLED monitor, model number AW3425DW if it matters, and that is the only piece of Dell or Alienware anything in my house. I built the PC custom about a year and a half ago, and I am ready to sell this monitor solely based on the fact that it tries to install alienware command center every few minutes. It's beyond on my nerves. 
    It's a shame because it really is a great monitor, looks fantastic and I would love it if it weren't for the fact that Dell is CONSTANTLY trying to install their spy/bloatware on my system. 
    I DO NOT WANT IT!!!!!!!!!! 
    If I can't plug a monitor in via HDMI (preferably DP but that's another discussion altogether) and it work without some software being installed, then I don't want the monitor. It's that simple. I paid you over 700 USD for this thing, it works great, I'm happy, why can't you be happy with my money and let's just have that be the end of the transaction? 
    You provided a goods, I paid for the goods, end of transaction. I don't want anything else from you and that you keep trying to force software on me. I guess at least it's not like the other stories on here where it actually installs over and over; I would have already sold the monitor by now if that were happening. 
    I can not recommend anyone buy this monitor based solely on this one thing and that is truly a shame.  

    (edited)