Understanding Dell Command Update Versions: Classic vs. Universal
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TechSavant24
I've been trying to get a handle on Dell Command Update for our company, specifically about its different versions and their capabilities. I created a deployment package that installs .NET Desktop Runtime 8 before the Dell Command Update Classic, as I've read that it supports CLI usage and GPO management through ADMX templates. However, I've found out that some users have the Universal version installed. Does this version also support GPO management? I've heard that Dell planned to phase out the Classic version a few years back, yet it still seems to exist. There's also talk of a version 5.7, but I can only find references to 5.6 now. Meanwhile, someone mentioned using version 5.5, claiming it's more stable. Can anyone shed light on the current situation with these versions and offer advice on the best way to deploy Dell Command Update in a corporate environment? Thanks in advance for the help!
Answers
We've had version 5.6.0 of Dell Command Update (Universal) on about 212 of our devices with no real stability issues compared to 5.5 or 5.4. We primarily use it for manual updates now but plan to implement CLI for automatic patching soon. The ADMX templates work fine with the Universal version. Be sure to install .NET 8 first, because it tends to install older versions if you don't.
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From what I've gathered, Dell stopped supporting the Classic version last year and is now mainly promoting the Universal version. The best strategy I've found is to first deploy .NET and then follow up with the Dell Command Universal installation. This setup avoids issues where Universal would fail to install properly if .NET isn't set up first.
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I'm just starting to work on deploying Dell Command Update through Intune, so I'm pretty curious about this too. I'd love to hear more from anyone who’s had experience with it!
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Both Classic and Universal versions do support CLI and ADMX templates. Not sure where your confusion came from. For what it’s worth, I know some found the early Universal versions problematic, but they have improved since then!
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I haven’t seen 5.7 circulating yet. Some have opted to stick with version 5.4 since 5.5 and 5.6 seem trickier to install. Plus, I ran into a bug with 5.5 where it wouldn't recognize .NET Runtime if it's newer than 8.0.18. As for the Classic vs. Universal debate, Dell did mention phasing out Classic, and installation can be a hassle if you want to switch back after using Universal, so I went with Universal and haven't looked back.
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OldSchoolSysAdmin: Yeah, the very first Universal versions had some issues, but they’ve made significant progress with the newer ones.