m17 R4, fresh Install Windows 11 Pro, driver help

You can delete all partitions (they are old anyway).

Here you go, hope this helps:

Verify computer passes ePSA-Diagnostics (outside of Windows).
NVMe-SSD should be "DiskPart cleaned" back to un-initialized/raw.
BIOS set to UEFI-Mode and AHCI
- Some users report that SecureBoot needs to be OFF during actual Windows install, but I always leave it ON.
Only that one SSD installed/connected for now
F12 on boot to boot USB-FlashDrive from microsoft.com Media Creation Tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
Install Windows to un-allocated/un-partitioned space
- It will initialize the NVMe-SSD as GPT, and format as NTFS
Refrain from installing any drivers from support.dell.com (ie, no "heavy" Dell Utilities or Intel driver-suites)
- Maybe Intel-Chipset (if your computer is very new) otherwise ...
- - Try to get all drivers from Windows-Update (including Advanced/Optional area) and nvidia.com 
- I don't use SupportAssist. 

You do this to see if "the hardware" is good after-all.
After your Device-Manager is clean, you should be able to re-enable SecureBoot if you disabled it earlier during initial install.

Notes:
1. If semi-forcing Windows-11 onto an older (non- UEFI) Legacy BIOS computer, the Windows installer might decide to Initialize the main drive as MBR instead.
2. While sometimes not obvious, it IS still possible to install Windows with only a Local (Admin) Account.
3. An Alienware computer might need AW-CC from Dell, but that should be about it.
4. Support-Assist, Dell-Update, and/or Alienware-Update ARE NOT required for Windows-11 to run programs, apps, or games. 
5. Now-days, your Windows-Key is embedded in BIOS-Firmware. Still, it does not hurt to retrieve it and know it.
6. Non-OEM Windows-11 should still see the Key and Authenticate as Legit.

typical reserve partitions 

The DellInstrumentation Device (associated with DellInstrumentation.sys) is a background driver for Dell SupportAssist and the Alienware Command Center. It monitors system telemetry such as CPU temperatures, fan speeds, and overclocking, but is known for causing high RAM usage, system freezes, and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes.

@redxps630​

typical reserve partitions 

Types of Reserve Partitions on Dell Computers

1. Microsoft Reserved Partition (MSR)

 A mandatory partition (typically 128 MB in size) created by Windows on GPT disks to manage internal operating system functions. It acts as a buffer for utility software and helps store partition configuration data.

when you clean install you can delete it. Win 11 will create new MSR

2. Dell OS Recovery Partition / SupportAssist

A large, hidden partition created by Dell containing a factory-fresh image of your operating system. It allows you to wipe and restore your laptop without needing a physical USB drive or installation disc. It uses 10-15 GB of storage. You can leave it alone for emergency backups. If you are desperate for storage space, you can delete it, but it is recommended to create a backup USB before doing so.   If you are absolutely sure you would not need dell factory restore then delete it

3. System Reserved / EFI Partition

A small partition (100 MB to 500 MB) that holds the Boot Manager and Boot Configuration Data.

same as 1

My thoughts on all that is ...

1 and 3 will be re-created (fresh) as needed with a non-OEM Windows install.

2 is not only old/outdated, but full of all the Dell stuff (well, old versions) and additional OEM modifications. It might also be corrupt or damaged after all these years.

Plus, who is trying to Restore their OS from scratch without a USB flash-drive?

AFAIK, the "Windows-11 Reset this PC" function is a separate feature and works independently.

If you want to do what I talking about, but still think you might want to fall back to the contents of this old Recovery Partition ... I think you can create a Windows Recovery Flash Drive while the Dell Recovery partition is still in place.

Actually, I think Dell now has cloud-based tools that will supposedly restore to "very Dell Factory like" to Bare-Metal computer (like a new/blank SSD). However, they are likely limited to use on the newer computer models. Not real sure as I never use that stuff.

@Tesla1856 RGB and fan controller via Alienware Command Center? Im going to be skipping all this bloatware support BS I see on here. Will I be able to use my own version of windows or do they come with the embedded product key still. This is a 3090 version, so fairly recent. You meant CMD DiskPart, deleting system partition last after I have windows ready? Fresh would be a nice start without all the bloatware that is useless to me. Just never sure about these "dell" laptops.

@redxps630​ got it.. I will need to reinstall command center for RGB and fan curve unfortunately, bios isnt too advanced on these dell PCBs

@Tesla1856 if you look on the drivers the recommend its all mostly intel and non dell chipset and IO stuff. I guess if its all functional the only thing I will need to do is get alienware command center for certain aspects with cooling and lighting. They dont recommend much other than support assist, Dell/Alienware Update Windows Universal Application which made me worry, I see much more than a few Dell proprietary things installed on this laptop, guess it more or less for dell to track and promote services. Thanks for the help. The diskpart I can do within itself from the OS?

Hi

I use Tiny11, which has a clue in the name methinks.

boot from Windows 11 USB installation media.  choose Install Windows 11, not Repair your PC.

delete all partitions on disk 0 until it is left in a single unallocated state.  

Windows 11 does not have custom (advanced) mode like Windows 10 did.

@bcal_t1​ ,

1. RGB and fan controller via Alienware Command Center?

2. Im going to be skipping all this bloatware support BS I see on here.

3. Will I be able to use my own version of windows or do they come with the embedded product key still.

4. This is a 3090 version, so fairly recent.

5. You meant CMD DiskPart, deleting system partition last after I have windows ready?

6. Fresh would be a nice start without all the bloatware that is useless to me. Just never sure about these "dell" laptops.

1. Yes. You need AW-CC from Dell and that's about it. Maybe manually check for Firmware-Upgrade one a year.

2. Yes, I like lean software build-ups.

3. The embedded OEM Windows-Key should work on non-Dell versions (like from Microsoft.com or Retail).

4. Nice. One of my XPS laptops runs a RTX-3050. My best Nvidia card in a (Intel-i9) desktop is RTX-4080.

The drivers for RTX-3090_Mobile should be published by Dell or Nvidia to be tossed to you from Windows-Update. If not, you can get it from www.nvidia.com. support.dell.com would be my last choice.

5. Yes, that is the command. No, as the directions say, you do it first.

6. Agreed. I've done it many times over the years. I will edit and post a link here later if I can find it. Yeah, here is a link-example:

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/alienware-desktops/area-51-aat2265-9950x3d-rtx-5090-random-freezing/69fb1f1b3783b229754c6ee1?commentId=6a023448e21a993c4faeacb1

@Tesla1856​ Yea what Im reading in that link was pretty much the idea I had in my head, perfect. Why does dell run Raid on default for laptops that only have one drive? Kind of weird isnt it... You can run Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) on AHCI now days. Maybe they are a little back dated... Thanks for the help, appreciate your time!

@anne_droid​ Yea Tiny11 is cool, but I would need to address the post's concerns regardless. Cheers!

@bcal_t1​ ,

1. Yea what Im reading in that link was pretty much the idea I had in my head, perfect.

2. Why does dell run Raid on default for laptops that only have one drive? Kind of weird isnt it... You can run Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) on AHCI now days. Maybe they are a little back dated...

3. Thanks for the help, appreciate your time!

1. Cool. Yeah, IMO leaner is always better.

2. That is just the old default.

Yeah, I've always hated Intel-RST (and it's replacement) ... especially once SSDs got here. Even the SATA-ones had IOPS off the scale compared to spinning drives. I used to clean install machines just to get rid of Intel-RST. Of course, I never-ever installed it purposely.

As far as I know, both old Intel-RST and the newer Intel replacement are both obsolete or heavy depreciated now-days. Windows-11 drives NVMe-SSDs natively just fine and fast now.

3. You bet. Sounds like a nice laptop, so might as well build the software up best way possible.

Yes, you can delete all partitions, including the Dell Recovery and Reserved partitions, for a completely clean Windows 11 installation. After setup, install the chipset drivers first, then use Dell SupportAssist or Dell Update to automatically install the remaining required drivers. This will also install proprietary components like Dell Instrumentation and other system devices.