Inspiron 1525 – Windows 7 and 10

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). 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.

Drivers and Downloads for Windows 7

Legacy BIOS

System Utilities (Windows 7 Only)

Chipset (Windows 7)

Card Reader

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.

Video (Windows 7 Only)

Input

Ethernet

Dell Wireless Cards

Audio (Windows 7 Only)

Install the Registry Edit and then the Audio Driver.

Registry Edit

HTML

Open up Notepad or Notepad++, copy and paste the above and save the file (as all types) ending with the extension .reg. Once done right click the reg file and run.

Add the entries to your registry before installing the Audio Driver.

Application

MediaDirect Updates

Requires installation of the Media Direct Program

13 thoughts on “Inspiron 1525 – Windows 7 and 10

  1. I have been using Philip"s guides for my Dell Inspirion 1525 since I found them a couple or so years ago. This was a Vista OS 32 bit machine with a 64 bit capable Intel Dual Core. The laptop was given to me as it was inoperable. i diagnosed a hard drive failure. (Probably due to the heat being generated by the Vista OS.) I upgraded to a 250 gig SSD and 4 gigs of Ram and a Windows 8 and later 8.1 64 bit OS. I am now running Windows 10 64 bit. The 1525 is running better than ever especially as I finally ditched Edge and Internet Explorer in favour of Firefox which works great in tandem with Windows 10. I have yet to use any other drivers apart from those downloaded bu Windows 10. (I may change the Audio Driver as the sound is rather weak at this time.)

    Thank you Philip for all your hard work.

    1. Please can anyone give a step by step tutorial on how to upgrade dell inspiron 1525 32bit windows 7 to 64bit windows 10

      1. You cannot perform a cross-architecture upgrade – you must clean install, if you already have a Windows 7 Retail key (this system should have came with Windows Vista OEM as it as released before Windows 7) then you can simply download Windows 10 TH2 installation media and clean install with your Windows 7 Retail Key.

        Follow the instructions here:
        https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1RkaknDn7v-Ucth4gt0U3BHVSY7oNkWr
        And here:
        http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/
        Note this system has a legacy BIOS which should be updated to the latest version A17 before clean installing Windows 10 TH2 64 Bit.

    2. Dear Greame,

      Please let me know if your Bluetooth and Mic are working with Windows 10 64 it update on Inspiron 1525.

      Thanks,
      Chetan

  2. All I want to know is how old this laptop is.
    DELL Inspiron 1525
    Mo# PP29L 06146
    BT-1C 4324A-BRCM1021

  3. At the end, on Dell Inspiron 1525 with windows 10 64 bit installation, I am facing issue with Bluetooth and Microphone. Anyone else facing the same issue?

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