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Dell Command Explained: Automate Configuration and Updates at Scale

Publish Date: 07-30-2025
 

What Is Dell Command and What Is It Used For?

Dell provides a collection of programs, collectively called "Dell Command," to manage updates and monitoring for Dell devices, including changes to drivers and BIOS files, and hardware monitoring. As there are a variety of other endpoint management choices, Dell Command is not necessary software. Nonetheless, it represents a powerful choice for IT infrastructure automation, providing a simplified update process with reduced manual effort, consistent policy enforcement, and scalability.

Can I Delete Dell Command?

If you decide that Dell Command isn't the right option for managing your Dell devices, you can uninstall each component with the following procedure:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
  3. Select the Dell Command component.
  4. Click Uninstall.

Core Components of the Dell Command Suite

The Dell Command Suite includes the following four components.

Dell Command | Update

The most common Dell Command component, this program automatically manages updates to key files. It includes both a Graphical User Interface that can be used to easily identify and schedule updates, and a Command Line Interface for more advanced operations.

Central technical features:

  • Install updates.
  • Select updates.
  • Customize selection.
  • View update history.
  • View and export system information.
  • View and export Activity Log.

Sample Scripts

The following command line scripts can be used for batch and scripting setups in automated remote deployment infrastructures. To run these scripts, first launch the Command Prompt in Administrator mode, then navigate to %Program Files (x86)%\Dell\CommandUpdate.

Display usage information:

dcu-cli.exe -?

Perform a system scan to determine relevant updates for the current system configuration:

dcu-cli.exe /scan

Install all the base drivers for the present configuration on a newly installed Windows operating system:

dcu-cli.exe /driverInstall

Dell Command | Configure

This component configures BIOS settings and creates BIOS packages, and can be used for Dell business system configuration.

Central technical features:

  • Create a BIOS package
  • BIOS option validation
  • Export BIOS configuration
  • Target system configuration

Sample Scripts

To run these scripts, first navigate to Start > All Programs > Dell > Command Configure, then right-click Dell Command Configure Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Take input from an .ini file:

cctk -i <c:cctk> /filename.ini

Output all current BIOS options to a .ini file:

cctk -o <c:cctk>/filename.ini

Dell Command | Monitor

This component manages and monitors system health in a fleet of deployed Dell devices.

Central technical features:

  • Poll interval settings.
  • Check RAID status (degradation or failure of drives and controllers).
  • Detect advanced format drives.
  • Change system settings, including boot order and system time.

Sample Scripts

Get drive information for a target system:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root/DCIM/SYSMAN -ClassName dcim_SMARTAttributeInfo | Out-GridView

Get thermal information for a target system:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root/DCIM/SYSMAN -ClassName DCIM_ThermalInformation

Get fan information for a target system:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root/DCIM/SYSMAN -ClassName DCIM_FAN |Select-object HealthState

Dell Command | PowerShell Provider

This component allows for BIOS configuration using the Windows PowerShell interface.

Central technical features:

  • Navigate categories and attributes
  • Custom functions
  • Desired State Configuration

Sample Scripts

Note that the following are cmdlets in the PowerShell ecosystem.

Set the location to a specified path:

Set-Location

Display the item at the specified location:

Get-Item

Set the value of the item:

Set-Item

How Do I Install Dell Command | Update?

Here we will walk you through a fresh installation of the most common Dell Command component. To install the latest versions of Dell Command | Update, you must have a Windows 10 or later operating system for Intel or AMD systems, and a Windows 11 operating system for ARM systems.

  1. Go to Dell | Support.
  2. In Identify your product or search support, search for Dell Command | Update for Windows.
  3. Go to Drivers & Downloads.
  4. Select the operating system.
  5. Select Driver—Dell Command | Update for Universal Windows Platform.
  6. Download Dell-Command-Update-Application-for-Windows_xxxxx_WIN_y.y.y_A00.EXE where "x" is the software ID and "y" is the version number.
  7. Open the .exe file that is downloaded from the Dell support site and click Install.
  8. On the Welcome screen, click Next, displaying the License Agreement.
  9. Accept the terms of the License Agreement.
  10. Click Install on the Ready to Install the Program screen.
  11. On the Installation Wizard Completed screen, click Finish.

Integrating Dell Command With SCCM and Intune

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), also known as Microsoft Configuration Manager, is a Windows-based program for managing large groups of computers. Since they perform similar functions, Dell provides an integration tool for running the Dell Command suite on a device that also runs SCCM. It includes key features such as the integration of Dell Command | Monitor and Configure.

Microsoft Intune is yet another endpoint management program with an emphasis on being cloud-based and including extra security features. Dell Command suite easily integrates with Intune with the Dell Command | Endpoint Configure for Microsoft Intune (DCECMI). DCECMI pushes custom BIOS settings through Dell Command | Configure to allow Intune administrative users to easily manage a fleet of Dell computers.

How To Use Dell Command | Update for Routine Maintenance

For ongoing system maintenance, Dell Command | Update can be automated to ensure systems remain current without manual intervention. You can configure a recurring schedule directly within the application's settings. For more granular control, create batch scripts using the Command Line Interface and trigger them with Windows Task Scheduler, which is ideal for large-scale deployments.

All update activities are recorded in the Activity Log. This XML file provides a detailed history of scans, installations, and failures, which can be exported for auditing and compliance reporting. If you encounter an error such as “Update failed – retry required,” it often indicates a temporary issue. First, check the Activity Log for specific error codes or details. A simple retry or a system reboot can resolve many common problems. For persistent issues, the log provides crucial information for further diagnosis.

Automation at Scale: Best Practices for Large IT Environments

The Dell Command suite offers a flexible set of tools for managing large IT environments, effectively automating remote update employments to keep Dell devices running smoothly and stably. By integrating with Microsoft applications including SCCM, Intune, and Log Analytics, Dell Command provides a comprehensive solution of modern management for Dell updates.