Dell Support Center Support Software
What is Dell Support Center Support Software?
Dell Support Center is a control panel for system tools and diagnostics. It contains extensive help sections for online tools, warranty information, Dell technical support links and Dell customer support channels. Access all system controls like Device Manager, Network Connections, etc. from a single location.
About (from Dell)
Dell Support Center is pre-installed on all Dell Consumer Desktops and Portables and Vostro Desktops and Portables. On Alienware systems, Dell Support Center is known as AlienAutopsy.
Overview
It is typically pre-installed with most new Dell computers. The most common release is 2.5.09100, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. During setup, the program creates a startup registration point in Windows in order to automatically start when any user boots the PC. Upon being installed, the software adds a Windows Service which is designed to run continuously in the background. Manually stopping the service has been seen to cause the program to stop functing properly. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. A scheduled task is added to Windows Task Scheduler in order to launch the program at various scheduled times (the schedule varies depending on the version). The primary executable is named sprtsvc.exe. The setup package generally installs about 187 files and is usually about 1.96 MB (2,051,072 bytes). The installed file sprtupdate.dll is the auto-update component of the program which is designed to check for software updates and notify and apply them when new versions are discovered.
This program is pre-installed on the PC
Pre-installed software such as this is usually included by default on the manufacturer's PC. Many OEM (original equipment manufacture) software that is included with a new PC is useful and in many cases required for the PC to function properly as in the case of various software drivers. However, some pre-installed software is optional and can be safely removed.
Some users and experts alike have reported that this program is considered bloatware or bundleware. Such software is optional and can be safely removed if you do not utilize the features of the progam.
Dell had been criticized for pre-installing a number of trialware and other bundleware with its desktop and laptops, but after strong customer feedback agreed to offer limited pre-installed software on its machines.
- It is usually licensed for use only on the Dell PC on which it was pre-installed.
- It sometimes difficult for users to remove via the 'Uninstall a Program' feature in Windows.
Program details
URL: support.dell.com
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\
Uninstaller: MsiExec.exe /X{E3BFEE55-39E2-4BE0-B966-89FE583822C1}
(The Windows Installer is used for the installation, maintenance, and removal.)
Estimated size: 1.96 MB
Language: English (United States)
Files installed by Dell Support Center Support Software
| Program executable: | sprtsvc.exe |
| Name: | SupportSoft sprtsvc |
| SupportSoft Agent Service |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe |
| MD5: | d630b6f2e8379b6f10dc16e82a426552 |
| SupportSoft Agent Service is part of the Dell Inc. support product installed with new PCs. It provides you with solutions for common PC questions. |
Additional files:
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info.exe - info
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ssmail.dll (by SupportSoft) - ssmail Module
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sdcnetcheck.dll (by SupportSoft) - sdcnetcheck Module
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tgctlsr.dll - tgctlsr Module
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applauncher.exe
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Asapi.dll
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Ata.dll
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Audio.dll
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Battery.dll
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Common.dll
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Dapi5.dll
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Drive.dll
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Engine.dll
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Enumerator.dll
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Http.dll
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opswatavcommon.dll (by OPSWAT)
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sprtctlsec.dll - SupportSoft End Point Security Control (sprtctlsec Module)
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tgctlpw.dll - tgctlpw Module
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tgctlsi.dll - tgctlsi Module
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tglib.dll - tglib Module
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avmanagerunified.dll (by OPSWAT)
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fwmanager.dll
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tgctlcm.dll - tgctlcm Module
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bcont.exe - Dell PC Checkup
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bcont_nm.exe
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inventory.dll
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libeay32.dll - SSL Module based on 0.9.8b (SSL Module)
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sdcidle.dll - SupportSoft (Idle DLL)
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sprtcmd.exe - Dell Support Center Updates
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sprtevent.dll - SupportSoft sprtevent
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sprtfod.dll - SupportSoft sprtfod (sprtfod)
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sprthook.dll - SupportSoft, Inc. sprthook (sprthook)
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sprtjobmsgs.dll - SupportSoft Scheduler Message DLL (sprtsync)
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sprtmessage.dll - SupportSoft SupportMessage Sprocket (sprtmessage Dynamic Link Library)
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sprtsched.dll - SupportSoft sprtsched (sprtsched)
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sprtsync.dll - SupportSoft SyncManager Sprocket
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sprttrigger.dll - SupportSoft SupportTriggers Sprocket (sprttrigger)
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sprtui.dll - SupportSoft sprtui (sprtui)
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sprtupdate.dll - SupportSoft sprtupdate (sprtupdate)
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ssleay32.dll
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SupportSoft.Agent.Sprocket.dll
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SupportSoft.Agent.Sprocket.SupportMessage.dll
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tgshell.exe - SupportSoft Software Protection Shell
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wificfg.exe - SupportSoft, Inc. wificfg (wificfg)
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dscstart.exe
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msvcp60.dll (by Microsoft) - Microsoft (R) Visual C++ (Microsoft (R) C++ Runtime Library)
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pcd.exe
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pcdrengine.exe
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CommandLine.dll
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DataStore.dll
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dsca.exe
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isprocessactive.exe
Behaviors exhibited
Scheduled Task
- dsca.exe is scheduled as a task named 'Dell Support Center' (runs weekly on Mondays at 10:00).
Service
- sprtsvc.exe runs as a service named 'sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter' (sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter) "SupportSoft Sprocket Service".
2 Startup Files (User Run)
- bcont.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'Desktop Software' and executes as "C:\Program Files\Common Files\SupportSoft\bin\bcont.exe" /ini "C:\Program Files\ComcastUI\Desktop Software\uinstaller.ini" /fromrun /starthidden.
- sprtcmd.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'DellSupportCenter' and executes as "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter.
2 Startup Files (All Users Run)
- sprtcmd.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name '%PROVIDERID%' which loads as C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe /P %PROVIDERID%.
- dsca.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'dscactivate' which loads as "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\gs_agent\custom\dsca.exe".
Resource utilization averages
Show technical details
| sprtsvc.exe |
| Memory: | 6.03 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0008929427% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00055701% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00033593% | |
| CPU cycles/sec: | 44,912 | |
| I/O reads/min: | 125 Bytes | |
| I/O writes/min: | 103 Bytes | |
| sprtcmd.exe |
| Memory: | 10.41 MB | |
| Total CPU: | 0.0034051156% | |
| Kernel CPU: | 0.00196092% | |
| User CPU: | 0.00144419% | |
How do I remove Dell Support Center Support Software?
You can uninstall Dell Support Center Support Software from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program Dell Support Center (Support Software), click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Dell Support Center Support Software.
HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
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USER ACTIONS
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Uninstall it 10%
Keep it 90%
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GLOBAL RANK
 #1,800
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Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
61.84% |
|
| Windows Vista |
30.47% |
|
| Windows 10 |
5.21% |
|
| Windows XP |
2.48% |
|
Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
53.01% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
22.03% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
6.98% |
|
| Windows 10 Home |
3.98% |
|
| Windows 7 Professional |
3.05% |
|
| Windows 7 Ultimate |
2.65% |
|
Geography
78.25% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
78.25% |
| United Kingdom |
6.63% |
| Canada |
2.29% |
| Germany |
2.21% |
| Australia |
1.52% |
| India |
1.37% |
| Netherlands |
0.99% |
| Iran |
0.57% |
| Ireland |
0.56% |
| Belgium |
0.40% |
| Malaysia |
0.38% |
| France |
0.33% |
| New Zealand |
0.22% |
| Saudi Arabia |
0.22% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Dell |
99.51% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
0.22% |
|
| Acer |
0.07% |
|
| GIGABYTE |
0.05% |
|
| Toshiba |
0.03% |
|
| Lenovo |
0.03% |
|
| Alienware |
0.03% |
|
| ASUS |
0.03% |
|
| Sahara |
0.03% |
|
| Gateway |
0.01% |
|
Common models |
| Dell Inspiron 1545 |
16.93% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N5010 |
7.22% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 530 |
4.69% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 1525 |
4.67% |
|
| Dell Studio XPS 8100 |
3.68% |
|
| Dell Inspiron N7010 |
2.73% |
|
About Dell
Dell manufactures, sells and supports computers and related products and services.
Publisher URL: www.dell.com