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Initialize-DellCommandConfigure

Overview​

Automates installation, updating, and execution of Dell Command | Configure (DCC) on Dell workstations. Ensures the latest version is present and provides command-line automation for BIOS configuration operations with comprehensive error handling and logging.

Requirements​

  • Administrative privileges
  • Dell workstation (verified through hardware check)
  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • PowerShell 5.1 or later
  • Internet connectivity for version checks and downloads

Process​

The script executes through the following workflow:

  1. Environment Validation:

    • Verifies Dell hardware and Windows 10/11 OS
    • Checks administrative privileges
    • Configures TLS 1.2 security protocol

  2. Version Management:

    • Queries GitHub API for latest DCC version
    • Checks registry for installed version
    • Compares versions and triggers installation/update via winget when needed
    • Handles legacy version uninstallation

  3. Command Execution:

    • Processes input arguments or uses default (--help)
    • Locates DCC CLI executable (cctk.exe)
    • Executes commands with proper parameter formatting

  4. Result Handling:

    • Interprets 160+ DCC exit codes into human-readable messages
    • Generates detailed log files
    • Provides Dell documentation links for error resolution

Payload Usage​

Execute the script with optional arguments to control DCC operations. Without parameters, defaults to showing help:

.\Initialize-DellCommandConfigure.ps1 [-Argument '<cctk.exe parameters>']

Examples​

  1. Show help menu:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandConfigure.ps1 -Argument '--Help'

  2. Export current configuration:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandConfigure.ps1 -Argument '--outfile="C:\Windows\Temp\CurrentConfiguration.ini"'

  3. Disable power warnings:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandConfigure.ps1 -Argument '--PowerWarn=Disabled'

  4. Set custom boot order:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandConfigure.ps1 -Argument '--BootOrder=+hdd,-cdrom,+usb'

Parameters​

ParameterRequiredDefaultTypeDescription
ArgumentNo--helpStringcctk.exe arguments to execute. See Dell Documentation for supported parameters.

Output​

Generates two log files in the execution directory:

  1. Initialize-DellCommandConfigure-log.txt

    • Installation/update status
    • Version comparisons
    • Executed commands
    • BIOS configuration output

  2. Initialize-DellCommandConfigure-error.txt

    • Error details
    • Exit code interpretations
    • System compatibility failures

Sample Outputs​

Example 1: Help output:

Running the Dell Command | Configure with the '--Help' command.

Dell Command Configure Version 5.2.0  9 (Windows - Mar 19 2025, 07:33:34)
Copyright 2009 - 2025 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.

Usage: cctk --option[=argument]
[truncated options list]
Last command exit code: 0
!Information!: Command execution was successful.

Example 2: Configuration export:

[cctk]
SysName=Latitude 3410
SysId=09EC
BiosVer=1.33.0
[truncated configuration]
WakeOnLan=Disabled
WarningsAndErr=PromptWrnErr
WirelessLan=Enabled
WlanAutoSense=Disabled