Dell XPS 9560 Clean install guide + custom ISO download.

Yes it can, it may need additional drivers, Windows update will pull them normally so if the Wi-Fi card isn't the Dell 1830, killer or any Intel you may need to have it on the usb.

I have used my ISO on various systems without issue.

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new battery, 500gb Samsung 960 evo and your custom windows pro installed into my 9550 (thanks by the way) and everything seems okay. any new drivers, updates or software you recommend I install? oh and the speakers don't work but I guess that just requires a dell driver? thanks!

 

It should download the dell drivers when it gets online?

 

I don't think it has, say no audio output device is installed when I try up the volume. shall I just install them from the dell site? also I have a message telling me to activate windows. tried that key program and entered my key but didn't accept. I had windows 10 home but installed your pro so I think that might be the problem. thanks.

 

Well you can't activate pro with a home licence, may as well install again.

 

Should have thought that through before hand should I.. haha okay thank you will do.

 

all sorted, but speakers still wont work, any suggestions? thanks in advance!

 

check in the device manager, not sure why really as windows update pull down any missing drivers, I can't see it being the ISO as the sound drivers are baked in.

 

Just installed this Windows ISO but I cant seem to find any options for setting up the Windows Hello for Business PIN complexity in Group Policy? Is this based on an older Windows 10 version?

 

No idea, I don't use the business hello just standard microsoft one.

 

Sorry, seems like Microsoft might have moved the settings in the latest Windows 10 version. The problem with the standard one is that it usually only offers 4 digit PINs (which moght have been increased to 6 now), not ordinary passwords.

Couldnt find the drivers for the fingerprint reader in you ISO but yet the fingerprint reader seem to work, does Windows installation find it by itself? Because it dont when I use the latest plain ISO.

Edit:

My misstake, seems like the latest Windows 10 release (march) does include a working finger print driver. The one on Dells support site however...

Edit 2:

Apparently Microsoft decided to move the settings for PIN complexity as mentioned here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/80777-enable-disable-require-digits-pin-windows-10-a.html

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The fingerprint driver is baked in with all the other drivers to complete an offline install and not included in the drivers folder, it installs without a problem so I didn't need to add it in the drivers folder, they are more for troubleshooting.

Did you get it working?

 

Yepp, working find now, although the finger print driver on Dells website never worked...

 

It's the same driver on the ISO m8.

 

Well, when I installed the driver separately it never worked as it should, but that was on January 2017 Windows build which seemed not to have the Dell driver by default. When I went with the March 2017 Windows 10 instead the default driver seemed to work fine (as the one in your customer ISO being discussed here). I am a bit to much OCD to use any customer ISOs etc although I would recommend normal people to do it

 

Microsoft's default ISO will just pull the driver once you are online, it will be the same one as they seem to have got this driver update business sorted this year. At least I think it will be the same one

 

Hey Gonzo,

just wanted to thank you for this. I've installed on 2 XPS 9550s but one of them keeps having a BSOD.

I've attached an image. Can you let me know what you need for me to fix this?

I have no idea how to add the image.. but the error is ...

VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

WHAT FAILED : igdkmd64.sys

I am running -


OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version 10.0.15063 Build 15063
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name WIN10-XPS15-SEA
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model XPS 15 9550
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU 06E4
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz, 2601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. 1.2.21, 17/2/2017
SMBIOS Version 2.8
Embedded Controller Version 255.255
BIOS Mode UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer Dell Inc.
BaseBoard Model Not Available
BaseBoard Name Base Board
Platform Role Mobile
Secure Boot State On
PCR7 Configuration Elevation Required to View
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale Singapore
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "10.0.15063.0"
Username WIN10-XPS15-SEA\myste
Time Zone AUS Eastern Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB
Total Physical Memory 15.8 GB
Available Physical Memory 7.91 GB
Total Virtual Memory 18.7 GB
Available Virtual Memory 9.96 GB
Page File Space 2.88 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Device Encryption Support Elevation Required to View
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualisation Enabled in Firmware Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection Yes

 

What Intel graphics driver are you running on the affected machine? It's been widely reported that the 4574 version doesn't currently work well at all on the 9560 but I suspect that it may also be causing you a problem if you have this version installed on your 9550 - the BSOD in question from what I've read recently is linked to the driver (I also had a similar BSOD on my refurnished 9560 but I've just sent it back as it's suspected it is hardware related, rather than software as I couldn't get rid of my BSOD no matter what version of the driver I use). Revert back to version 4531 if this is the case as this version is relatively trouble free on the 9550.

Liam.

 

I'm running Intel HD 530 with Driver V 21.20.16.4590.

Should I still revert?

 

Seems like you pin pointed the problem and everyone is having this issue.

Guess im gna revert to another version. Any idea where I can download previous versions?

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/20009538

 

It may be worth reverting to 4531 in that case just to rule it out. However - I've just glanced over your spec summery again and noticed that it appears you're running on the Windows 10 Creators Update, if you're still not having any joy even after rolling back the driver then it could be worth rolling back to Windows 10 build 1607. I had a number of issues with my 9560 when I tested out the Creators Update on it last week so I'm staying away from it for a little while.

Liam.

 

Hey Liam,

Thanks for replying so soon.

I'm having trouble finding the 4531 drivers. Can you point me in the right direction?

Can't seem to find it here - https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/88345/Intel-HD-Graphics-530

 

No worries.

That's bizarre - when I had to obtain that version in the past it was always on the Intel downloads page, like you say it now appears to be missing. If you google Intel HD graphics version 4531 then another website elsewhere should host them.

Liam.

 

I believe I found it.

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=5MVK2

Does the fine print mean that I am able to install this on my x64? I'm confused lol.

 

Yeah that looks like the correct one - I think the fine print section means that the Dell installer itself is only implemented using a 32-bit background, though the driver in question will indeed be 64-bit (taking into account that Dell have been using 64-bit on there systems for a number of years now).

Liam.

 

Thank you very much Liam.

I will install and report back. Thank you once again for attending to my problem

 

4590 doesn't play nice with the 9550, it's fine on the 9560, looks like you found the thread you need.

And for the love of god please no one quote the entire 1st post, have you any idea how long I had to scroll on tapatalk

 

sorry for coming late to this thread. this looks awesome!

i was looking in restoring my windows to factory settings (have the microsoft version) but did not want to install the dell version.

I did not quite understand something. If i bought a Pro key, but my 9550 came with a non pro key, the installer would would detect the normal key and then i would have to put the pro key again?

Is there anyway as to customize as to add installers for my apps (and office)? is ntlite the only way?

 

All you need to do is put a ei.cfg file in the sources directory and it will ask what version, I will post the file later as I'm out for a bit

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If you use my ISO is has the ei.cfg included, if not create a file called ei.cfg (making sure it isn't ei.cfg.txt) and put the following in it.

Code:

[Channel]
Retail

Place that in the sources directory on your usb drive containing windows.

As for the rest you could you could mess about creating installers for things but it can be a huge loss of your time as you have to do it, compile it, test it, do it again and again until the sodding thing works or sack it off like I did and make it basic enough to install with the drivers then do the rest of it and once you have windows setup how you want take an image with Macrium

As for the key the EI.cfg forces it to ask what you want installing, if you pick pro and have a home key in the BIOS the home key will be ignored and you will be asked for it either during or once you get into windows when it needs activating.

Chances are the key is now tied to your microsoft account so as in my case it installs pro and self activates via your microsoft account.

 

Is the latest official .4627 @dell okay?
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us...-15-9550-laptop&languageCode=en&categoryId=VI

 

No idea I no longer own a 9550, the 4590 works fine on the 9560 so I blindly assumed it would work on the 9550. I was wrong!

 

Does your guide work for dell XPS 13 (Kabylake model) I am planning on buying one here in China but I hear that it's a drag trying to install language packs in Chinese laptops.

 

yes

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Wait, wait. Just follow your guide and make a USB bootable drive using your folder and RUFUS and I should be able to successfully clean install? Won't the drives be different though? I am downloading now. I guess as long as I get windows 10 on their then I can just go online and download the drives for the XPS 13 right? Sounds about right.

 

right, it will only use drivers it needs, the rest once you're online.

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Sweet, I finished downloading your folder this morning over VPN. I will keep everyone updated on the clean install. I wonder if the BIOS will be in Chinese. I guess I should be fine. Just follow English BIOS on my current 9550. Pray for me Gonzo! You think 1TB SSD is over kill? I should be fine with 512 but I want to splurge. I don't do video editing or anything fancy. I honestly think I would have been fine with the i3/4GB RAM model. Also, brief rant. Why did Dell opt for DDR3 instead of DDR4 on the XPS 13? I don't think the difference in ram will make significant difference for most users but still. We are in the age of DDR4. Feel a little whack I will be rolling with DDR3.

EDIT: I received the DELL XPS 13 Kabylake edition today. *I am currently living in China. The bios is in English. I think it might be same for all Chinese laptops. I read somewhere that IT language is English globally but who knows. I now know that I can follow Gonzo's Guide with ease and swap out SSD's to install a clean English Windows 10 version. The only thing is that it arrived damage so I will be returning it. Another thing is that it comes in RAID mode even though there is only one drive. I will be switching over to AHCI because I will be putting in a non-NVME drive. Just a plain ol' Samsung 850 EVO.

I've attached pictures. I also compared it next to my 9550. Seems cool. I wish the keyboard was better though. Both have the same exact keyboard. The only difference is that trackpad on the 13 inch isn't centered entirely and instead flushed a bit so it is not aligned with the keyboard. A little weird but I am sure I will get used to it.

 

Ram will no doubt be due to the 13's low power and heat and possibly to allow a fast startup (read up on DDR4 memory training and long BIOS times if you fancy a google)
1tb to me is about right for laptops at the moment, I tip over the 500gb on my 9560 but I do store a full backup of the family photo's on here as well with a mix of RAW+JPG

The BIOS will be an all for one so I expect you can swap language!

 

So I got another Dell XPS 13 in today. I am trying to install from a created USB as per your instructions but every time I try to install nothing happens. I don't even think the USB stick is being recognized. I am using a Sandisk 3.1 128GB PRO. I am not sure what is causing this. I am trying to install on the stock M.2 which should be a NVME. I tried both AHCI and RAID and also turned on legacy secure boot off but nothing. I am attaching some screen shots. I get a 1TB 850 EVO tomorrow. *I am in china. After I press on the UEFI Sandisk I get taken to the start up menu in Chinese not the install screen.

 

Did you reset the BIOS?

 

I did then it worked. (FACEPALM) That's so weird. You did say to reset defaults at the beginning of your guide in case it doesn't work. I don't know which version of windows to install now. I'll look into it. *another facepalm
EDIT: Never mind. Home It is.

 

What option do we click again? Custom Install (install windows only), or the "Keep files" options? I clicked on the install windows only. I'll see if the thing blows up or not.

 

Follow the guide and wipe the partitions ideally!

 

I don't think I wiped the partitions. It's a fresh new M.2 1TB but I only has 930 GB available. *FACEPALM

 

That's the correct capacity. Google it 1024 vs 1000

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Omg...... Ok. Then nothing else to do. Everything is working. Thanks again. I didn't have to install any additional drives. You are god Gonzo. Would your guide work on other Chinese laptops or other laptopsp in general? I mean, it has all the windows files right so theoretically it should? Just install additional files as needed? I was really torn between this XPS and the HP envy 13 Kabylake model. There were also some great Chinese exclusives like the Xiomi air and Lenovo air since I am in China now, but I went with XPS because I was certain I could use your ISO guide. I also really like the matte finished screen. Glossy is just eh. Not for me. Only downside is that there is no fingerprint scanner but no biggie. I installed the 1TB 850 Evo but noticed that the boot times are significantly slower. Anyone else? Who knows. I don't care. Might download the Samsung utility to see what I can optimize. Thanks again, truly!
..................
Edit: In china I couldn't install a language pack. Seems it was only a single language Windows out of the box. I am not fluent in Mandarin/Cantonese and I read so many people online trying to install an English language pack with no success. It was much easier to use your guide and now I have a clean Windows install with no Dell BS software. Kudos.

 

quick question
if I were to use my own iso, would the steps be:
1. switch to ahci
2. set secure boot, and legacy off
3. make my boot usb
4. have the wireless driver ready on another thumbdrive
5. wipe and install OS
6. install predownloaded wireless driver
7. use windows update for the rest of the drivers?

thanks

 

yes.

 

Thanks