DellSupport
What is DellSupport?
Dell Support is an agent provided by Dell for the Dimension and Inspiron computers that is pre-instaleld in many PCs. Dell advertises that it is "a portal providing simplified access to self-help, support tools, chat, service resources, and system information". It provides notification of available software and driver updates, upgrades, and patches. Links to Internet website for Dell PC Tuneup software, Dell computers that are Windows Vista compatible, and Dell upgrade and accessory parts. System information detailing configuration of hardware, software, and settings. Alerts that provide notification of system events and prompts for actions to take. Links to Dell Technical Support, Dell Warranty Information, and Dell Customer Service.
Overview
It is bundled and preinstalled with various Dell computers. The most used version is 6.0.3075, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. Upon installation and setup, it defines an auto-start registry entry which makes this program run on each Windows boot for all user logins. 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 software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The main program executable is DSAgnt.exe. The software installer includes 93 files and is usually about 14.66 MB (15,372,881 bytes).
This program is pre-installed on the PC
Such software is installed by the manufacture when delivering the PC to the end user. Some pre-installed programs are considered bloatware as they are simply limited function trials, while others are required for proper PC operation.
Note: This program has often been considered as bloatware by some users as it is bundled on various manufacturer's new PCs. (Because this might be considered bloatware does not mean the software is bad or harmful, if you use it regularly its worthwhile to have. However, bloatware typically means the program is optional and was simply pre-installed but is not required and can be removed.) Some quick tips to be aware of:
- 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: www.support.dell.com
Help link: support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1091989
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\DellSupport\
Uninstaller: MsiExec.exe /X{7EFA5E6F-74F7-4AFB-8AEA-AA790BD3A76D}
(The Windows Installer is used for the installation, maintenance, and removal.)
Estimated size: 14.66 MB
Files installed by DellSupport
| Program executable: | DSAgnt.exe |
| Name: | Dell Support |
| Path: | C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe |
| MD5: | b75fdbf14073d72c50624cc8338dd534 |
Additional files:
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DellAutomatedPCTuneUp.exe (by Gteko) - Dell Support DellAutomatedPCTuneUp (DellAutomatedPCTuneUp)
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brkrsvc.exe - Gteko BrkrSvc Application
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DellFix.exe (by Gteko) - Dell Support DellFix (DellFix)
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coactmgr.dll - CoActMgr Module
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gdql_d.dll - QDiagLib Module
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gtagnt.dll - Gteko GTAgntDll (GTAgnt)
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Settings.dll - Settings Module
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cfgdata.dll - CfgData Module
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trgmgr.dll - TrgMgr Module
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actmgr.dll - Gteko ActMgr (ActMgr)
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AUInst.dll - Dell Support (Dell Support Installation Module)
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Direct.exe - Direct Application
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DSAgnt.exe
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DSBrws.exe - Dell Support Browser
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DSHelp.exe - Dell Support Help Wrapper
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qdiagd.ocx - QDiag Module
Behaviors exhibited
Scheduled Task
- DSBrws.exe is scheduled as a task named 'Check Now' (Next runs on 1/1/0001 at 12:00 AM).
Service
- brkrsvc.exe runs as a service named 'DSBrokerService' (DSBrokerService).
Startup File (User Run)
- DSAgnt.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'DellSupport-' and executes as "C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup.
Startup File (All Users Run)
- DSAgnt.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'DellSupport' which loads as "C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup.
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- DSAgnt.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe'.
How do I remove DellSupport?
You can uninstall DellSupport 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 DellSupport, 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 DellSupport.
OS VERSIONS
Win Vista (SP2) 73%
Win XP 0%
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HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
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USER ACTIONS
 |
Uninstall it 7%
Keep it 93%
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Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows Vista |
82.53% |
|
| Windows 7 |
9.96% |
|
| Windows XP |
6.45% |
|
| Windows 10 |
1.07% |
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Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
62.40% |
|
| Windows Vista Home Basic |
14.74% |
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| Windows 7 Home Premium |
7.53% |
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| Microsoft Windows XP |
6.19% |
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| Windows Vista Business |
3.77% |
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| Windows Vista Ultimate |
1.94% |
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Geography
85.08% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
85.08% |
| United Kingdom |
5.70% |
| Canada |
3.01% |
| Germany |
0.85% |
| Ireland |
0.79% |
| France |
0.72% |
| Australia |
0.65% |
| Netherlands |
0.38% |
| New Zealand |
0.34% |
| Japan |
0.34% |
| Sweden |
0.20% |
| Spain |
0.20% |
| Belgium |
0.17% |
| India |
0.14% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Dell |
98.88% |
|
| Hewlett-Packard |
0.37% |
|
| Acer |
0.21% |
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| ASUS |
0.16% |
|
| Lenovo |
0.11% |
|
| Sahara |
0.05% |
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| Compaq |
0.05% |
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| American Megatrends |
0.05% |
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| Gateway |
0.05% |
|
| Intel |
0.05% |
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Common models |
| Dell Inspiron 531 |
10.76% |
|
| Dell Dimension E521 |
10.48% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 530 |
8.49% |
|
| Dell Dell DXP061 |
7.80% |
|
| Dell Dell DM061 |
6.95% |
|
| Dell Inspiron 1501 |
5.52% |
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About Dell
Dell manufactures, sells and supports computers and related products and services.
Publisher URL: www.dell.com