Dell Direct USB Key - FAQs

Summary: Learn about the Dell Direct USB drive and how to use it to recover the operating system on your Dell personal computer.

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Symptoms

Table of Contents:

  1. Video on Dell Direct USB Key
  2. What is a Dell Direct USB Key?
  3. What will the Dell Direct USB Key install?
  4. How to use the Dell Direct USB Key?
  5. Additional Information
NOTE: The Video only addresses Windows 8, but the Windows 10 process is exactly the same as the Windows 8 process.

Using the Windows 8 USB Recovery Key

Duration: 04:52 (mm:ss format)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the Settings or CC icon on this video player.

Dell OS Recovery and Restore USB Key

Duration: 03:37 (mm:ss format)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the Settings or CC icon on this video player.

While restoring Windows 7 Operating System on your Dell computer using the Dell Direct USB Key, you may find a USB Storage Device or Toshiba Device. Choose "Toshiba Device" (if available) in the One Time Boot Menu (F12 Menu) to proceed with the restoration process.

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What is a Dell Direct USB Key?

The Dell Direct USB Key is designed to provide a quick resolution if there is an operating system issue, without the loss of data.

  • Fast and user-friendly efficient solution to fix your OS issues
  • Help diagnose the issue and find the best solution (even if your computer is not able to load OS)
  • Assist you in automatic back-up and restoration of your personal data and settings
  • Automated Reinstallation of Operating System
  • Customizable data backup
  • Optical drive free or Disk free operations
  • Exclusive product from Dell
The Dell Direct USB Key cannot be used as an external storage device.

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Cause

Cause information is not available.

Resolution

What will the Dell Direct USB Key install?

The key installs the following:

  1. Operating System - Windows 7 or Windows 8 (based on the version originally shipped with the personal computer).
  2. Basic device drivers (additional device drivers may be required. See Dell knowledge-base article Drivers and downloads FAQs.
  3. Applications
    1. Windows 7
      • Dell Data Safe Local (DSL)
      • Dell Digital Delivery (DDD)
      • My Dell
      • Link to Microsoft Office Trial
    2. Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 10
      • Dell Backup and Recovery (DBAR)
      • Dell Digital Delivery
      • My Dell
      • Link to Microsoft Office Trial

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How to use the Dell Direct USB Key?

  1. Power off the personal computer.
  2. Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard and mouse (and monitor if there is a desktop personal computer). For laptop PCs, ensure that the power adapter is connected.
  3. Connect the Dell Direct USB Key to one of the USB ports.
  4. Power on the personal computer and tap F12 key on the keyboard.
  5. Highlight the following (based on the operating system) and press Enter.
    • Windows 7:
      USB Storage Device
      Toshiba Device
    • Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 10:
      EFI USB path 1
      Toshiba MSFT NORB PMAP (if you have multiple choices, select the first one)
      USB Storage Device
  6. Select the language.
    Note: This is the display language of the Dell Direct USB Key process, and may be the same for the operating system, select accordingly.
  7. In the End User License Agreement, scroll to the bottom, check "I Accept" and click Continue.
  8. The next screen will provide the "Process Overview," click Continue.
  9. Once the process is completed, it provides an analysis of the test performed.
  10. Click Continue or Exit based on the analysis provided.
    Note: If the issue is fixed, clicking Exit restarts the system back to the desktop.
  11. Click Continue. Connect an external storage device for data backup when prompted.
  12. Click Select More to browse and add additional files to be backed up.
  13. Click Continue once you have selected all the required files for backup.
    Note: If the external storage device is not detected, it prompts to connect the external storage device.
  14. Once the data backup is complete, click Continue.
  15. Click Continue to start the operating system restoration (do not disconnect the external storage device until prompted).
  16. Once the process is complete, click Restart.
    Note: The Restart button is grayed out. Unplug the Dell Direct USB Key and any external storage device and then click Restart.
  17. The personal computer restarts a few times and prompts to connect the external storage device.

After all the restarts, the personal computer will boot into the operating system. Confirm that all the data has been restored. If all the data is restored, the entire process is complete. You may now go to setup personal settings, application installation, and so forth,

Follow the instructions below only if the backed-up data could not be restored.

For data security purposes, the backed-up data on the external storage device is encrypted and can only be restored to the original system.
  1. Restore backup your data.
  2. Create a new folder on the desktop and name it "Migration Utility"
  3. Extract the file in the folder created
  4. Ensure that the following files are in the folder:
    MigRestore.exe
    SDSImageTools.dll
    SDSMigrationTools.dll
    SKIP
  5. Connect the external storage device with the backed-up data
  6. Double-Click on MigRestore.exe (For any opening Windows confirmation, click 'Yes' to run MigRestore.exe)
  7. Click Browse and select the external storage device
  8. Click Restore to begin data restore process

Once the process is complete, the backed-up data is restored

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Additional Information

Additional Information

|

Dell Direct USB Key is not available for all PCs. Contact Dell Technical Support for more information.

No, Dell Direct USB Key is not compatible with a non-Dell personal computer.

Dell Direct USB Key is compatible with Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

It covers the following:
  • Language
  • Keyboard Settings
  • Currency
  • Date/Time Format
  • Time Zone
  • Windows Color and Appearance
  • Desktop Background
  • Screen saver
  • Sounds
  • Mouse pointers
  • Windows Themes
  • Windows Display Settings
  • Profile Picture
  • Network Settings
  • Internet Favorites
  • Browser Settings (Internet Explorer only)
  • Power Profiles
  • Task bar
  • Start Menu Settings
  • Accessibility

The data can be backed up to any USB storage device, but an external USB hard drive is recommended.

Dell Direct USB Key has been tested on PCs with SSDs and RAID configuration and is fully compatible.

No, the backed-up data is encrypted and designed to automatically restore the files from the backup location to your personal computer.

Yes, once the data has been restored and verified by you, the restoration file from the external storage device can be deleted.

Yes, Dell Direct USB Key can identify only Microsoft Outlook PST files for email backup. If Microsoft Outlook has been configured to use a PST file, this can be backed up.
As for users with Windows Mail, the user has to ensure that the path C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\ is backed up.
If you are using any other email application, see the software manufacturer for more information on how to back up emails in that email application.

No, Dell Direct USB Key contains files that are unique to one Dell personal computer. Using the Dell Direct USB Key on another personal computer may cause boot issues, driver issues and overall system stability issues.
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Article Properties
Article Number: 000132221
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 25 Jul 2025
Version:  9
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