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Dell SupportAssist created backup
I just got a notification that Dell SupportAssist had created a backup of some files.
Why did it do that?
We make our own backups and have never asked the system to do that?
How do we turn this functionality off?
Where did it place the backups and how do we remove them?
There's no message or anything in the SupportAssist tool itself
BobbyAtk
4 Posts
1
December 14th, 2020 07:00
"The Support Assist is a pre installed app from us, along with the Alienware Command Center to manage the system lights. The "backup" (which is a wrong term used by the app, I apologize for that) is stored on the hidden recovery partitions from the C drive, that is why you cannot see them. Windows decided to put those files into those location in order to avoid the customer to accidentally delete them. In this case, if you prefer not to use the app, you have the total right to delete it, and you will still have the recovery features from Windows as well."
Sigh...
unexplained22
4 Posts
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January 5th, 2021 01:00
Here is a fix to your problems on this matter.. I found this by searching with a group of friends. Download WinDirStat by searching google... It will show you the true DATA HOG that Dell has been using to fill up your hard drives. Go into ProgramData/ Dell/ UpdateServices and delete the LOGS!!! those are the backups! if its not in there, you will see it... trust me you will see where they are storing it... They are massssssive!!! Then uninstall Dell Assist and the stuff related to these backups. Hope this helps you it definitely freed up 500+GB of my hard drive! THANKS DELL!!!!!! WHAT THE JUNK are you putting this stuff on PCS like this for? Cut the bull and just make a backup file option and then make one backup or even 5 not 100!!! JFYI, your pc drive won't show the true data being used if you check the drive, but this program will expose what's really going on behind the hood. Be careful with this program because it looks at partitions and hidden files within the drive. -Martin T
scarne
3 Posts
3
January 11th, 2021 15:00
Unfortunately, I can't see your screenshots (just a couple of triangles where they should be). I have taken three of my own. Hopefully, they show up for you when I post this.
DELL-Cares
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September 24th, 2020 08:00
Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution via private messages to ensure the security of your information. In the meanwhile, you may receive assistance or suggestions from the community members as well.
Herman24
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September 25th, 2020 12:00
Same here. Looking to delete these files as I have other backup methods. Any advice? Many Thanks
swehjo
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September 25th, 2020 13:00
I'm in a dialogue w Dell but haven't got a clear answer yet.
DELL-Cares
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September 28th, 2020 08:00
Hello, we are still waiting for an update.
we will get back as soon as we have an update.
Thanks
swehjo
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September 28th, 2020 22:00
Ok Thanks for the update!
SteveL829
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October 3rd, 2020 20:00
Has DELL provided any information yet about how to disable this feature and where the backups went so they can be deleted?
swehjo
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October 4th, 2020 23:00
No, work is still in progress but we are in contact. Nothing that can be difficult will be easy :-).
bossfan5050
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October 21st, 2020 16:00
I have been using my laptop since February and for the first time I also got a notification that Support Assist has created a backup. I don't know why it did this but I also need the info for how to disable the Support Assist backup function and the location of the backup that was created so that I can delete it as i use my own backup method.
MarioTG
1 Message
0
October 31st, 2020 12:00
Same thing here. This has taken 15Gb out of my SSD disk space. Have unchecked the "Recovery File" option from the Settings, and despite the message informing the disk space would be released, this never happened.
XPS-i7-9700
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December 11th, 2020 03:00
Ditto here. I clone my PC drives onto direct replacements.
Please advise
Why did it do that?
We make our own backups and have never asked the system to do that?
How do we turn this functionality off?
Where did it place the backups and how do we remove them?
There's no message or anything in the SupportAssist tool itself
XPS-i7-9700
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December 11th, 2020 15:00
Let me know some outcome, thanks
B34nzM34nzF4rtz
6 Posts
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December 12th, 2020 12:00
This topic has not been answered since September???
Same issue here.
I was given no advanced warning of this behaviour by SupportAssist, are the files backed up to a cloud service I did not agree to?
Nothing in settings to configure?.
Any privacy issues?
Could hackers hold you to ransom for my data which I didn't agree to being backed up?
What files exactly were backed up?
How do we disable it?
Was this feature slipped in to an update without an obvious warning?
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Its probably just a local backup (taking up hard drive space I could be using), and probably nothing nefarious is going on, but all the same its a bit alarming if Dell do not communicate a feature which can cause concerns as have been expressed.
And given the length of time it is taking Dell to answer, things are looking more suspect.
Edit: Ooh looky, I have earned a Copper Badge, there's my Good boy Doggy chocky drop for the day