Right. Each program/app has a purpose in life. However, I too traditionally tend to like "lean installs". AFAIK, none of that Dell software is required for Windows-10/11 to run properly on a Dell laptop. I haven't looked at it real close since I was trying to run it as Dell shipped it. I kinda wanted to see what that experience is like for the average user. I don't worry so much about pre-installed programs that keep to themselves (the ones that have no associated Processes and Services that are constantly running in the background).  What I like to do is observe what Processes and Services are running, before properly uninstalling it's associated program the conventional way (and rebooting). Also, interesting to see what is still left behind. Actually, it doesn't seem too bad so far. I think it might be because these recent 11th-12th Gen Intel processors are just so powerful (plenty of cores and extra processing cycles to go around). Right. I always uninstall the (paid subscription) McAfee and replace with (Microsoft developed and freely included) Windows Security and their (software based) Firewall. It also seems less intrusive. MyDell already wanted to update itself, and said something about Dell Fusion. Not sure about now or on plain Dells, but Alienware Fusion used to be a Service that exposed various Windows Settings into a centralized app (like Alienware Command Center). It sometimes got confused or caused strange system problems so I always thought it was un-necessary (or not worth the trouble).  I don't use any of the "Driver Updater programs". Now-days, I get my drivers from Microsoft (Windows Update) and/or Nvidia/AMD. Rarely do I need a Dell validated file. I do get my occasional firmware and BIOS updates directly from Dell Support file-area and like to install those manually and in a more-controlled way. In the BIOS, I also keep UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates DISABLED (in case Windows-Updates tries to toss me one). As I glance-down that nice list you compiled, I think these 3 listed below are the only ones I might be compelled to keep. But if they don't do anything (or just ads or apps for subscriptions and/or In-App-Purchases) I think they ultimately need to be uninstalled as well.  Dell PremierColorDolby AccessDolby Vision Extensions Some people just "clean install" generic/genuine Windows to get rid of all the Dell (or other manufacture's) un-wanted software ... but that is a quite a bit more involved procedure (especially on a live machine). Please post any additional info you come across (that you think might be helpful to others) as you uninstall the un-wanted ones (or find actual purpose for others).
I just got my Dell XPS 9520. As with any computer I get, I remove some of the pre-installed software that I do not want like McAfee anti-anything software. Here is a list of potential software to remove: Any comments whether these are important at all? I want to keep software that handles automatically updating Dell drivers so, I'm thinking of keeping "Dell Update". I've already uninstalled "Dell Digital Delivery" as I have not purchased software from Dell. It looks like the Dolby stuff is just an ad for a subscription, is that right? "Dell Customer" connect seems to be a program for a Dell technician to connect to my computer. I don't think that I need that. Thanks all for your help and insights. Mike
What Dell Software Can I Remove?