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Difference between "Dell SupportAssist" and "Dell Update" for drivers update
Vostro 15 5510
I was using Dell SupportAssist on my old laptop. I am currently using Dell Update instead.
Both applications do the same - they search for the latest drivers and install them.
So what's the difference between them when it comes to finding and updating drivers?
DELL-Jesse L
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August 24th, 2022 07:00
kanlukasz,
Dell SupportAssist for PCs (formerly My Dell/Dell Support Center) automates support from Dell by proactively and predictively identifying hardware and software issues on your system. SupportAssist addresses system performance and stabilization issues, prevents security threats, monitors and detects hardware failures, and automates the engagement process with Dell Technical support. Depending on your Dell service plan, SupportAssist also automates support request creation for issues that are detected during a scan.
Dell Update (for consumer and client computers only) and Alienware Update (for Alienware computers only) are software that automatically updates critical fixes and important device drivers as they become available. This ensures that your Dell personal computer has the most critical updates without you having to check online and install them yourself. Dell Update software is supported on select Dell Inspiron, Vostro, XPS, and Alienware Update is supported on Alienware PCs running Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 11. Device driver and application updates may help in the following areas:
NOTE: Dell Update software is available for select Dell Inspiron, Vostro, XPS, and Alienware Update for select Alienware desktops and laptops.
RamaIndrawan
8 Posts
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September 22nd, 2022 23:00
Thanks for the DIFFERENCES
So if we keep using Alienware Update instead, that should do what SupportAssist Does then ? no need for both of them ?
lmacri
3 Apprentice
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1.2K Posts
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September 23rd, 2022 18:00
Hi RamaIndrawan:
The "Check for Updates" scan from Dell Update (called Dell Command | Update or Alienware Update on some Dell computer models) should detect and install the same Dell software and driver updates as a manual "Get Drivers & Downloads" scan run from the Home tab of SupportAssist. When it comes to checking for updates, the greatest difference between the two programs is that SupportAssist loads automatically at boot-up and runs constantly in the background, and if you use the default settings in SupportAssist and leave Option (gear icon) | Settings | Automate Scans and Optimizations | Scan Your System and Drivers ENABLED then SupportAssist will automatically check for available updates once a week.
Further to DELL-Jesse L's comments <above>, see my 09-Sep-2022 post in JohnnyRedShirt's SupportAssist Unable to Get Drivers / Missing Features After Re-installation about some important differences between Dell Update and SupportAssist. As I noted <here> in JohnnyRedShirt's thread, I personally don't like using SupportAssist and I just launch Dell Update once a week or so to check for available Dell software and driver updates for my Inspiron 5584. If I ever need to run a hardware scan I can still run Dell's F12 ePSA (enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment) hardware diagnostics from my BIOS, and my Windows 10 OS also has its own built-in hardware diagnostics at Settings | Update & Security | Troubleshoot | Additional Troubleshooters.
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64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.2006 * Firefox v105.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2207.7-1.1.19600.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.14.210-1.0.1767 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.6979 * Dell SupportAssist v3.11.4.29 * Dell Update Windows Universal v4.6.0 * Inspiron 5583/5584 BIOS v1.20.0
Dell Inspiron 15 5584, Intel i5-8265U CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB Toshiba KBG40ZNS256G NVMe SSD, Intel UHD Graphics 620
Vinniemaccy
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April 16th, 2024 18:00
The problem I find with SupportAssist is that it uses A LOT of resources and this app along with MyDell App and the suite of software installed with it often hinders rather than improves system performance, especially on those systems with only 8GB RAM that cannot be upgraded because it is soldered.
For example on my Dell Inspiron 14 5430:
I have 7.7GB of usable memory and when the laptop is idle with all the Dell Software Installed the RAM usage is running at around 6.8GB - 7.2GB and thats without running anything else like Web Browser, Office 365 Apps etc.
If I uninstall everything Dell Related then idle I am using around 4.9GB - 5.2GB and around 6.5GB with everything open I need.
MyDell app is important though and we are forced to use it if we use Intel Connectivity Performance Suite features because the stock Performance Suite from intel cannot be installed because Dell use Performance Suite "Express", so the Intel app detects no licensed connectivity performance hardware.
I would recommend just using MyDell, if you use the features it offers (It also has Dell Optimizer which monitors system performance in the background and improves it by using machine learning) and use the Dell Updater.
Honestly, performance is much better without any of the Dell Software and Windows Update often downloads drivers long before Dell put them on the product page online.
Just my input and experience.