Administrator Guide

Installation overview

NOTE: Dell recommends that you download and install the device

drivers from the Dell Drivers & Downloads website. Installing device

drivers from a non-Dell website can cause system performance

issues, corrupt operating system files, blue screen errors,

unexpected shutdown, or infect your computer with malicious

software.

Device drivers must be updated when you reinstall the operating system using

either CD, DVD, USB key, or when you are facing networking, graphics, sound

or other hardware-related problems. Dell recommends that you install or

update device drivers if you have performed a factory reset of your Dell

computer using the Dell Backup and Recovery application or other factory-

reset methods. This ensures that you have the latest device drivers installed on

your computer and that the devices function optimally.

Installing or updating device drivers may lead to the following improvements:

• Increase system performance

• Patch security risks

• Expand compatibility

• Fix device issues and support new features

However, if your computer is operating normally and there are no driver issues

listed in Windows Device Manager and Windows is not suggesting urgent or

recommended driver updates, driver updates are unnecessary. Updating

drivers unnecessarily may create new problems. Review the importance of

each driver update on the Dell driver downloads page before assessing the

need to continue with an update.