System Upgrades
Service Manual
Ensure you reference your service manual before carrying out upgrades:
The most recommended upgrade for this system is a Solid State Drive, here is my affiliate link to Crucial here. If purchasing a SSD or Memory Upgrade please use these links as I will get a tiny bit of commission which will help fund my guides.
SSD Drive Upgrade
Memory Upgrade:
This system supports 4 GB of RAM (2×2 GB Modules) with 3.25 GB usable. This can also be purchased using the affiliate link above.
Operating System
It is recommended to install Windows 10 on this system see Windows OEM FAQs and Downloads. The Windows Vista OEM or Windows XP Product Key won't be compatible with Windows 10 Installation Media however you can run Windows 10 Unlicensed. Windows 10 will have most of the system drivers required inbuilt however you can install the Windows 7 Drivers if you have any unknown Devices in the Device Manager.
Note 64 Bit compatibility depends on the processor installed and as the system maxes out at 3.25 GB RAM there is little advantage of 64 Bit over 32 Bit on this model.
Drivers and Downloads for Windows 7
Legacy BIOS
System Utilities (Windows 7 Only)
Chipset (Windows 7)
Card Reader
Video (Windows 7 Only)
Communications (Windows 7 Only)
Not all systems have a modem. If the Driver fails to install, there is no need to try and install the rest in this category.
Input
Dell Wireless Cards
Audio (Windows 7 Only)
Check the Architecture of the link and then select download.
Hi, thank you for the great guideline. I am following it to upgrade to Windows 7.
Hope you can help the the issue I am facing with the Intel Chipset Device Software.
The link takes me to Intel® Chipset Device Software (INF Update Utility) version 10.0.13 (Latest).
However, when I download and check the Release Note, seems that this update is not for chipset of Latitude D520. Could you help me because I am not sure about that.
And in that case, which version of chipset device software should I update for my D520?
Thank you very much!
I always install the latest version, it will update the chipset. I am on a D820 which is the same model with a bigger screen and used many of the same drivers.
Heres a screenshot from the Intel Update Utility: