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Initialize-DellCommandUpdate

Overview​

Manages Dell Command | Update (DCU) lifecycle and operations on Dell workstations, ensuring version compliance and command execution. Automates installation, updates, and execution of DCU with comprehensive error handling and logging.

Important Notes​

  • Forceful reboots: Some critical BIOS/firmware updates initiate hardware-level restarts that override -reboot=disable flags
  • Schedule updates during maintenance windows
  • Ensure adequate power supply during firmware updates

Requirements​

  • Administrative privileges: Must run as Administrator
  • Dell hardware: Only compatible with Dell workstations
  • Windows 10/11: Requires supported OS versions
  • PowerShell 5.1+: Minimum PowerShell version
  • Internet access: For version checks and component downloads
  • TLS 1.2 support: Enabled automatically by the script

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 DCU version
    • Checks registry for installed version (32-bit/64-bit)
    • Compares versions and triggers installation/update via winget when needed
    • Handles legacy version uninstallation

  3. Command Execution:

    • Processes input arguments or uses default (/Scan -silent)
    • Locates DCU CLI executable (dcu-cli.exe)
    • Executes commands with proper parameter formatting
    • Automatically performs post-update scans after applying updates

  4. Result Handling:

    • Interprets 30+ DCU 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 DCU operations. Without parameters, defaults to scanning for updates:

.\Initialize-DellCommandUpdate.ps1 [-Argument '<DCU-CLI parameters>']

Examples​

  1. Default scan operation:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandUpdate.ps1

  2. Apply driver updates silently:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandUpdate.ps1 -Argument '/applyUpdates -updateType=driver -silent -reboot=disable -forceupdate=enable'

  3. Display DCU help:

    .\Initialize-DellCommandUpdate.ps1 -Argument '/help'

Parameters​

ParameterRequiredDefaultTypeDescription
ArgumentFalse'/Scan -silent'StringDCU-CLI arguments to execute. See Dell Documentation for supported parameters.

Output​

Generates two log files in the execution directory:

  1. Initialize-DellCommandUpdate-log.txt

    • Records installation status
    • Tracks version comparisons
    • Logs executed commands
    • Captures output from DCU operations

  2. Initialize-DellCommandUpdate-error.txt

    • Captures error details
    • Records exit code interpretations
    • Tracks system compatibility failures

Sample output snippet:

Installed Edition: 'Dell Command | Update'
Installed version: '5.5.0'
Latest Available Version: 5.5.0
Dell Command | Update is UpToDate.
Running the Dell Command | Update with the '/Scan -silent' command.
2GCN2: Intel Management Engine Interface Driver - Driver -- Urgent -- CS
Last command exit code: 0
!Information!: command execution was successful.