How To Deploy a Windows Operating System on a Dell Computer using SCCM

Summary: This article provides an overview along with information about how to deploy a Windows Operating System to a Dell Computer. Using the System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) Software. ...

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Instructions

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Before Starting
  3. Deploying an Image using SCCM

Introduction

This article provides the checks and best practices required to successfully deploy a Microsoft Windows Operating System to a Dell computer. Dell Technologies provide an overview that covers the most possible outcomes. It adds any additional information that may be of use at the end of the article. This article should cover all Dells business and consumer laptops and desktops. (For example: Our Inspiron, XPS, Vostro, Latitude, OptiPlex, and Precision computers.)

Note: For the purposes of the Dell Warranty, Dell Technical Support do not support or troubleshoot privately installed images. In order to fully troubleshoot the computer, it must be returned to the state in which it shipped. If the issue is not seen at that point, then the issue is identified as the image and the machine is testing as working as shipped.

Before Starting

Ensure that the latest BIOS revision is installed on the computer.

The latest BIOS driver for Dell computers is available from the Dell Support Site:

  1. Ensure that either the service tag or express service code from the computer is entered or select the model type from the list provided.

  2. Go to the Drivers section of the on-page menu:

    1. The left-hand side tab shows those updates that are needed based on the tag or code used.

    2. The right-hand side tab is searchable for the update, if only the model type was selected:

      1. Ensure that the operating system is selected from the drop-down.

      2. Go down the page to the BIOS drawer, and select the driver kept there.

      3. Compare the revision of the file against the revision of the BIOS which is shown on the front page of the BIOS.

  3. To run the file, ensure that the computer is connected to mains power and double-click the file.

  4. The computer restarts and when it has booted back into the operating system after updating the BIOS revision to the version from the file that was saved and ran.

Note:

The easiest and quickest way to get into the BIOS on a Dell computer is to:

  1. Press the <F2> key when the Dell Splash screen appears during POST.

  2. Alternatively, press the <F12> key at the same point and select BIOS or Startup from the on-screen menu that appears.

For UEFI and Secure Boot builds the BIOS must be checked in the BIOS for:

  1. Look for an option to Enable legacy Option ROMs and ensure that it is disabled.

  2. Check if the Integrated RAID controller is enabled by default?

    1. If it is, ensure that the SATA Operation is set to RAID ON.

    2. Ensure that the IRST RAID Driver is added into the Boot image.

  3. Especially on newer computers, check that the USB and Thunderbolt ports are enabled and set with no security level.

  4. Ensure that secure boot is enabled.

For Legacy builds check in the BIOS for:

  1. Look for an option to Enable legacy Option ROMs and ensure that it is enabled.

  2. Check if the Integrated RAID controller is enabled by default?

    1. If it is, ensure that the SATA Operation is set to RAID ON.

    2. Ensure that the IRST RAID Driver is added into the Boot image.

  3. Especially on newer computers, check that the USB and Thunderbolt ports are enabled and set with no security level.

Create a bootable USB drive using SCCMs Create Task Sequence Media.

Deploying an Image using SCCM

Note: If the computer does not have an onboard Ethernet port or dock, then Dell Technologies recommend using a USB 3.0 to Ethernet adapter. However, if the computer supports Thunderbolt 3 and above, Dell Technologies recommends using a USB Type-C to Ethernet adapter instead.

Choose the Method used to deploy the Operating System:

PXE Initiated Deployments:

Deployment is done over a network using a PXE network boot

Multicast Deployments:

Deployment is done concurrently over a network to multiple clients over separate connections

Bootable Media Deployments:

Deployment is done from external media when the destination computer starts

Stand-Alone Media Deployments:

Deployment done in environments with low to no network connectivity, when it is not practical to copy an image over the network

Prestaged Media Deployments:

Deployment this way allows an operating system to deploy to a Dell computer that is not fully provisioned

How to deploy the Operating System with SCCM:

  1. The Operating System Deployment Process:

    1. Identify any device drivers required to run the Boot image or the operating system image being deployed.

    2. Identify the Boot image that is wanted - there are two provided by default.

    3. Use a Task Sequence to capture an image of the operating system being deployed.

    4. Distribute the Boot image, operating system image, and any other related content to a distribution point.

    5. Use a Task Sequence that deploys the Boot image and the operating system image.

    6. Deploy that Task Sequence to the collection that contains the destination computer. All the computers in that collection receive the Task Sequence.

  2. For more information, see the link below to go to Microsoft's own guide:

Affected Products

Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Fixed Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000138964
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 08 Jun 2026
Version:  11
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