Resolving the "preparing to install" Alienware Command Center Install error

Summary: Learn how to resolve the "preparing to install" Alienware Command Center install error.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

Dell G series or Alienware computers may receive the message that the hardware is not compatible with this application or receive the following error during installation:

"Error applying transforms. Verify that the specified transform paths are valid: C:\Windows\Installer\A5015420-3D3D-427D-+9783-73F8369BD639/1033.MST".

The issue occurs when attempting to install Alienware Command Center (AWCC) software through the Dell website.

Cause

Cause information is not available.

Resolution

To resolve this inconvenience, following the steps below in order:

  1. Perform a clean boot. Disable all non-Microsoft services and all startup tasks and then restart.
  2. Ensure that your BIOS version is updated to the latest version available on the Dell Support Site.
  3. See How to Remove and Reinstall the Alienware Command Center to uninstall Alienware Command Center Suite from the Control Panel.
  4. Create a new user with admin rights.
  5. Disable any security applications before installing AWCC such as McAfee, Norton Utilities, Kaspersky.
  6. Disable any applications that may conflict with AWCC such as iCUE Software | Drivers | Software | CORSAIR This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
  7. Remove any external or secondary drives from the computer before attempting to reinstall AWCC.
  8. See Installing and Configuring the Alienware Command Center Software for your Alienware Gaming Keyboards and Mice to install the Intel HID Event Filter driver in the Mouse, Keyboard & Input Devices.
  9. Reboot the computer.
  10. Install AWCC OC through the Dell Support.
  11. When it installs successfully, it prompts for several updates and asks to enter the user password several times. This is the expected behavior.
  12. After performing all these steps, the issue will be resolved. If not resolved, see How to Download and Use the Dell OS Recovery Image in Microsoft Windows to reinstall the operating system and try again.

For more information, see Alienware Command Center 5.x User's Guide or Alienware Command Center 6.x User's Guide.

Additional Information

 

Out of Warranty support  Out of warranty? No problem click here, enter your Service Tag and view our offers. 
 

Currently, offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, and France PC Customers. Server and Storage not applicable.

Affected Products

Alienware 13, Alienware 13 R3, Alienware 13 R2, Alienware 15, Alienware 15 R3, Alienware 15 R2, Alienware 15 R4, Alienware 17, Alienware Area-51m, Alienware 17 R4, Alienware 17 R2, Alienware 17 R3, Alienware 17 R5 , Alienware Alpha & Alienware Steam Machine, Alienware Area-51 AAT2250, Alienware Area-51 R2, Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition R3 and R6, Alienware Area-51 R4 and R5, Alienware Area-51 Threadripper Edition R7, Alienware Area-51m R2, Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10, Alienware Aurora R11, Alienware Aurora R12, Alienware Aurora R13, Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R14, Alienware Aurora R15 AMD, Alienware Aurora R15, Alienware Aurora R16, Alienware Aurora R5, Alienware Aurora R6, Alienware Aurora R7, Alienware Aurora R8, Alienware Aurora R9, Alienware M15, Alienware M15 R2, Alienware M15 R3, Alienware m15 R4, Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5, Alienware m15 R6, Alienware m15 R7 AMD, Alienware m15 R7, Alienware m16 R1 AMD, Alienware m16 R1, Alienware m16 R2, Alienware M17, Alienware M17 R2, Alienware M17 R3, Alienware m17 R4, Alienware m17 R5 AMD, Alienware m18 R1 AMD, Alienware m18 R1, Alienware m18 R2, Alienware Alpha R2 & Alienware Steam Machine R2, Alienware x14, Alienware x14 R2, Alienware x15 R1, Alienware x15 R2, Alienware x16 R1, Alienware x16 R2, Alienware x17 R1, Alienware x17 R2, Alienware X51 R2, Alienware X51 R3, Dell G3 15 3500, Dell G3 3579, Dell G3 15 3590, Dell G5 15 5500, Dell G5 SE 5505, Dell G15 5510, Dell G15 5511, Dell G15 5515 Ryzen Edition, Dell G15 5520, Dell G15 5521 Special Edition, Dell G15 5525, Dell G15 5530, Dell G15 5535, Dell G5 15 5587, Dell G5 15 5590, Dell G7 15 7500, Dell G7 15 7588, Dell G7 15 7590, Dell G16 7620, Dell G16 7630, Dell G3 3779, Dell G7 17 7700, Dell G7 17 7790, Dell G5 5000, Dell G5 5090 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000179280
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 30 Apr 2026
Version:  12
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