Driver Installation Order – Windows 10

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Where to Download Dell System Drivers?

There are 2 sources of official Dell Drivers:

The recommended by Dell source is Dell Drivers and Downloads but I prefer the Dell FTP Website as the later consists of direct download links and is hence usually more reliable.

Note on the FTP Website all drivers for all OS are listed and you must select the ones which apply to you (WB64a = Windows 8.1 64 Bit, W1064a = Windows 10 64 Bit).

Note in all of Dells official services the drivers are listed alphabetically by category with applications before drivers.

This is not the install order and the system likely won't function optimally if the drivers are installed in the order listed by Dell…

We have asked Dell via IdeaStorm to list the drivers in the correct install order.

When downloading all the system drivers I recommend saving each driver in an appropriately labelled folder and adding a numeric prefix to the folder. This will ensure that you install the drivers in the recommended order.

Dell Official Support

Unofficial Support

If Dell don't support Windows 10 but support Windows 7/Windows 8.1 in most cases the drivers required will be inbuilt or obtained via Windows 10 Update. Otherwise use the Windows 7 driver versions where instructed.

For even older systems that are capable I had listed an assortment of Unofficial Drivers for Windows 7 which covered most systems shipped with Windows Vista or Late Windows XP systems. Most of the drivers in these unofficial driver sets will be inbuilt into Windows 10 or automatically obtained via Windows 10 Update.

Installation Order of Dell System Drivers

BIOS

If upgrading your OS from an older version of Windows to a newer one it is recommended to have the latest Dell BIOS firmware which may have enhancements which make the system run more reliable under the new version of Windows. Care should be taken when updating the BIOS as a failed BIOS update means a dead motherboard see Updating the BIOS for details.

You should only update your BIOS from your old Windows install if its stable and not infested with Spyware/Malware!

Firmware

You may also have firmware updates for separate components such as hard drives or solid state drives. Firmware updates may also have enhancements which make the system run more reliable under the new version of Window. Care should be taken when updating the firmware as a failed firmware update can lead to a non-functional drive see Updating the Firmware of a Solid State Drive or Hard Drive for Details.

There are also firmware update for optical drives (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray) and the instructions for updating the firmware of these components are similar to the Hard Drive and Solid State Drives. Care should be taken when updating the firmware as a failed firmware update can lead to a non-functional optical drive.

Storage Conroller "F6FLPY" SATA Preinstallation Drivers

These are drivers (labelled F6FLPY Drivers for historical reasons) which need to be loaded before the Windows Installation completes in order to access the storage controller to install Windows on the HDD/SSD. 

As Windows 10 Installation Media is likely going to be kept up to date this step is not necessary for the bulk of Windows 10 Installations so ignore this step.

  • Windows 10 TH1 – August 2015
  • Windows 10 TH2 – November 2015
  • Windows 10 RS1 – August 2016
  • Windows 10 RS2 – March 2017

If you have tried installing Windows and cannot see any hard drive(s) listed then follow the steps in Downloading and Preparing SATA Drivers on a USB Flash Drive and Loading them During Windows Installation.

Dell System (Notebook/Desktop) Software – Under System Utilities

Dell System Software is not needed for Windows 10 in the bulk of cases however I recommend installing it if you are using a system shipped with Windows 7 that has a Docking Station use the latest Windows 7 version here that will work with Windows 10.

Chipset Drivers – Intel Chipset

Your system will have either an Intel (most Dell systems) or AMD chipset… Right click the Start Button and select System. Under processor you will be told whether or not you have an Intel or AMD chipset.

If using an Intel system (most systems) install the Intel Chipset Installation Utility/Intel Chipset Device Software before any of the other drivers. The latest version can be obtained from Intel.

Chipset Drivers – Intel Engine Interface Driver

Next if using an Intel system the Intel Management Engine Interface Driver (also known as Intel AMT/HECI). If using an Intel system right click the start button and select Device Manager. Under system Devices look for an entry called Intel Management Engine Interface. Look at the driver version:

  • If it is driver version 11.0.0.1153 note that it has a serious flaw which results in a black screen that can't be exited without forcing a shutdown after the system goes into standby.
  • Install the latest version from Intel.
  • You can check the driver version by looking in the Device Manager after installation.

Intel Management Engine Interface 3

Chipset – Other Intel Drivers

Next install Intel Thermal Framework and Intel Virtual Buttons if they are listed for your system. You may install the Windows 7/8.1 version of these drivers if Windows 10 drivers aren't listed.

The USB 3.0 drivers should be inbuilt into Windows 10 and can be ignored.

Chipset – Card Reader

There may also be a card reader driver e.g. Realtek, Ricoh, O2 Micro. The card reader may also be found separately under a Removable Storage category.

The latest Ricoh Card Reader is available here.

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Applications – Under SATA Drives and/or CPU

If using an Intel system right click the start button and select Device Manager. Under IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers look for an entry called Standard SATA AHCI Controller. Right click it select properties, then select Details and change the property to hardware IDs:

Hint press [Ctrl] and [ f ] on this page and search for your hardware ID e.g. 1E02 as the GIF shows meaning I should use driver version 13.1.0.1058.

Intel Rapid Storage Technology is available to download from Intel download the version that matches your hardware ID.

15.5.0.1051 (6-7th generation)
Intel® 200 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI/RAID Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A282)
7th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family Platform I/O SATA AHCI/RAID Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A102)
Intel® 100 Series/C230 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI/RAID Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A103)
6th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family Platform I/O SATA AHCI/RAID Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9D03)

14.8.14.1061 (4th-5th generation)
Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8D02)
Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9C83)
Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9C82)
Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C83)
Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C82)
Intel(R) 8 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9C03)
Intel(R) 8 Series/C220 Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9C02)
Intel(R) 8 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C03)
Intel(R) 8 Series/C220 Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C02)

13.1.0.1058 (3rd generation)
Intel(R) C600 Series Chipset SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1D02)
Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E02)

12.9.0.1001 (1st-3rd generation)
Intel(R) 7 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E03)
Intel(R) Mobile Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C03)
Intel(R) Desktop/Workstation/Server Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C02)
Intel(R) 5 Series 4 Port SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B29)
Intel(R) 5 Series 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B2F)
Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B22)

11.7.0.1013 (1st-2nd Generation)
Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3A22)
Intel(R) ICH10D/DO SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3A02)
Intel(R) ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2929)
Intel(R) C600 Series Chipset SATA AHCI Controller (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1D02)

Free Fall Sensor – Under System Utilities

This is mainly just present for newer laptops. The free fall sensor is designed to help prevent data loss from the hard drives which may be caused by dropping of the unit or autorotation of touchscreens.

Sometimes Dell will also list the Free Fall sensor under the Chipset category.

Video Driver – Under Video

There are in general variants of video cards present in Dell systems. If you are unsure identify it using the hardware IDs see Checking Hardware IDs in the Device Manager in Windows 10 by doing this you should determine if a driver is installed for the video controllers. Microsoft are working with the big 3 vendors Intel/AMD/nVidia and most the drivers for the video cards will be applied automatically via Windows Update.

If the Display Adapter isn't labelled "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" then Windows 10 has likely obtained the driver automatically via Windows Update so I would advise not attempting to install drivers unless Dell have listed Windows 10 compatible drivers.

If you have a 2012 or newer system and Dell provide Windows 10 drivers your laptop may have switchable graphics and require the Intel driver to be installed first then the corresponding nVIDIA/ATI video driver for full performance. There may be a few variants of graphics cards for a laptop and you must select the correct ones.

If you have a Windows Vista/Late Windows XP system upgraded to Windows 10 and the display adapter is labelled "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" you may need to install the Windows Vista driver via the device manager in the few cases where Windows Update doesn't get the driver.

Touchpad – Under Input

This is for laptops only. There are 4 main brands of Touchpads used in Dell systems Synaptics, Alps, Cyprus and Elan. If Dell list a Windows 10 driver install it. Otherwise see my notes in Dell Touchpad Drivers where I have attempted to list Dells compliment of drivers, and compatible systems at the bottom tested by end users. Forcing installation of a newer driver via the Device Manager often works better than inbuilt Windows 10 support or installation of a Windows 7/8.1 driver.

Audio – Under Audio

Windows 10 supports many legacy devices natively or obtains the driver automatically via Windows Update. I recommend only installing the Dell driver if Dell list it as Windows 8.1/10 compatible or installing the Windows 7/8.1 driver only if you experience audio problems.

Ensure you install any audio drivers before audio applications and only install audio applications if Dell list them as Windows 10 compatible.

Network Ethernet Driver – Under Network

This usually mentions Ethernet/LAN/Broadcom/Realtek in the description. Sometimes Intel, Atheros but the latter two can also be the wireless card. Many newer laptops are being sold without an Ethernet port to save space and rely on the wireless cards only.

If you have an Intel Ethernet Controller you can install the latest driver from Intel.

Microsoft are working with these main vendors to ensure that these drivers are inbuilt to Windows 10. In most cases you won't need to install any drivers unless Dell list a Windows 10 compatible driver.

Wireless/Bluetooth Card – Under Network

For >2012 systems the Wireless/Bluetooth are usually the same card. For <2012 systems they were 2 separate cards and Bluetooth was optional. For <2010 Desktops in most cases there was no wireless card.

If you have an Intel Wireless Card download the latest Wireless driver here and Bluetooth driver here.

Microsoft are working with these main vendors to ensure that these drivers are inbuilt to Windows 10. In most cases you won't need to install any drivers unless Dell list a Windows 10 compatible driver.

There are generally several variants of Wireless Cards and should you will need to pick the correct one. If you are unsure identify it using the hardware IDs see Checking Hardware IDs in the Device Manager in Windows 10. See Dell Wireless Cards as I have listed most of the hardware IDs and latest drivers for the Dell Wireless Cards.

With Windows 10 there are many issues with Wireless Cards:

  • Broadcom Wireless Cards continuously disconnect saying the connection is limited – this is likely a driver issue and I hope Broadcom/Microsoft release a newer driver via Windows Update. In my personal systems I have replaced all Broadcom Wireless cards with Intel Wireless cards.
  • Very old Intel Wireless Cards continuously disconnect and this can be fixed by disabling the power management setting of the card in the device manager.

Keyboard/Mouse Drivers – Under Input

There may be additional input drivers if you purchased a non-standard keyboard for a desktop e.g. a wireless or Bluetooth keyboard. If using a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse install the keyboard/mouse drivers after the Bluetooth driver. If your keyboard/mouse is Logitech branded you should install the latest version of Logitech Setpoint.

TV Tuners/Other Video (If applicable) – Under Video

Many systems don't have these and are only added via customisation. With the loss of Media Centre in Windows 10 these will be pretty useless.

Dell Quickset or Dell ControlPoint or On Screen Display – Under Applications

Dell Quickset is for the power settings and Fn keys. In some systems this is called Controlpoint (some Vostros/Latitudes/Precisions) or On Screen Display (some Alienwares/Inspirons). Install the Windows 10 application if Dell list one otherwise install the Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 application i.e. install the latest application available. If your system shipped with Windows Vista see Unofficial Driver Sets.

For some newer Latitude (E Series)/Mobile Precision Workstations Dell Quickset was replaced by Dell ControlPoint but its not always listed under Driver and Downloads or these models. If you cannot locate Dell ControlPoint System manager which should control the volume meters on these models then use the following ones here:

  • R312259 A21. Version 1.7.10000 Update Package Windows 7 64 bit
  • R312260 A21, Version 1.7.10000 Update Package Windows 7 32 bit

Webcam Driver – Under Input

Webcam drivers will be natively included in Windows 10. Application wise Windows 10 has a Camera App and as a consequence Dell Webcam Central does not support Windows 10.

Like Dell Webcam central the Camera App is limited. If you want a nice screen recording and webcam recording Application I advise using the free version (ensure you click get it free) of Debut Video Capture. The free installer is called debutsetup.exe and the pro installer is called debutpsetup.exe.

Mobile Broadband Drivers – under Communications

Most users don't have these but the drivers are there for the users that do.

Other Drivers

These are the main drivers and I have tried to give a basic guide to cover all systems. There will of course be some other variants from model to model and customisations within the same model such as mobile broadband cards, TV tuners and other drivers depending on your systems configuration.

There may also be security drivers for the business Latitude and Optiplex series.

The check for any missing drivers is via the hardware IDs see Checking Hardware IDs in the Device Manager in Windows 10. You can post your model number and version of Windows e.g. Windows 10 64 Bit aswell as the hardware IDs on the Windows 10 forum if you need help.

Dell Backup and Recovery

After all the system drivers are installed and Windows is up to date restart your computer.

I do not recommend installing Dell Backup and Recovery with Windows 10. Use Macrium Reflect instead.

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12 thoughts on “Driver Installation Order – Windows 10

  1. Hello Mr Yip. I upgraded my DELL E1705 from Windows XP to Windows 7 then to Windows 10; I followed your advice and added another 4 MB of RAM + an SS hard drive. With Windows 10 I had a black screen problem on startup and I had to reboot a couple of times to get the laptop to work. I have solved the problem (or so it seems) by deactivating the display adpter. My config is MP061 and 32 bits. In my case the display is an ATI Radeon mobility X1400.. I thought I would share this with the group.

    1. I had no problems on the Latitude D820 with Intel graphics. The rest of the hardware is very similar between both models.

      Did you attempt to install the Vista driver for the x1400 via the device manager?

      1. Hello Mr Yip No I did not try to install the Vista driver, WordPress doesn't seem to want to allow me to post a screenshot (jpg) If allowed to turn off by itself due to inactivity for several hours (sleep mode?) the Inspirion E1705 starts with no problem (no black screen) when the off/on button is pushed. I am really happy with the Windows 10 installation; I really haven't downloaded or installed any new drivers

  2. I own a Dell XPS M1710 with a nVidia Quadro FX 3500M installed.

    I have installed Windows 10 Pro 64-bit and able to configure all the hardware internals with the help of Philip guides. All is working great sans two items.

    My video card is not recognized and only shows the "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter".
    The reslution of the display panel on my laptop is 1920 x 1200 but Windows 10 Pro only allows a max setting of 1600 x 1200 for the same reason.

    The other feature not working any more is and will be the MediaDirect Application. I can make the Hard Disk partition but installing the software always ends on an error.

    I send an e-mail to nVidia looking for a driver and was told only Dell would release it since it is an OEM video card part. At this time I can not find anyone I can e-mail at Dell thru it's web site.

    Trying to install the Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7/8 driver on a clean Windows 10 Pro system has not worked.

    Any advice or contact you can give me will be very appreciate.

    Hope Dell and Microsft could release a driver soon.

    Hope that help to other users.
    Roberto.

    1. You will not get any official support from Dell or NVIDIA as this system is from early 2006 and hence all of these systems have expired warranty.

      I've not tested Media Direct with Windows 10 but to be honest its probably not worth setting up especially when Windows 10 TH2 is released, it may change the partitions and break Media Direct.

      Have you tried extracting the Vista driver and manually updating the driver via the Device Manager?

      1. Hello Philip, thank you so much for being reading my post.

        Yes, I have tried extracting the Vista 64-bit driver and manually updating via Device Manger. It works only partially but as soon as I open apps like the Windows 10 ACTION CENTER all is rendered gray with no text at all. The same on the Edge Browser.

        I have been looking for works around. Maybe extracting the built in driver that comes on Windows 7 64-bit for the nVidia Quadro FX-3500M could work. But I do not know how to do that.

        Any ideas ?

      2. Hello Mr. Yip

        My E 1705 works fine with WINDOWS 10 with the driver for the ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 that I installed with Windows 7. However I have to lightly push the “start” button on the machine a couple of times to get the display to function. I traced the startup config through Parameters/ Info System/ additional administrative tools/ system configuration. A screen snapshot is attached. All of my applications are in French because that’s where I am. If I check the box to change the system start to “démarrage normale” (normal start up, everything works just fine); however the change in settings is not registered, and I have to return to system configuration. I tried using Safe Start Mode (Start+holding the uppercase key down)

        Your help and advice is very much appreciated

        Ciao

        Stephen Bach

  3. I sent e-mail to Dell regarding upgrade XPS8500 from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10.

    I received this answer:

    As if now we do not recommend the Windows 10 upgrade on this system as there might be some blue screen issues or some times there may be software issues with the computer.

    1. The XPS 8300 works fine with Windows 10 TH1. Due to the fixes particularly in Microsoft Product Activation I would advise waiting until Windows 10 TH2 is out on the main track before upgrading. I'd also advise against continuing to use a SSD cache in this system and instead installing a proper SSD boot drive with the SATA operation set to AHCI:
      http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/ensure-you-have-the-correct-sata-configuration-in-the-bios-setup-for-your-configuration/

  4. considering a clean install on a brand new xps 13 2 in 1. I notice that many of the latest Dell supplied drivers for the Intel hardware (network adaptor, HD graphics) are not as current as versions on Intel.com. Do you have a preference or recommendation as to what drivers to use? I'm fairly certain both will work. Curious if wifi performance might be a bit better with the Intel.com AC-8265 driver

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