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To run a Dell SupportAssist scan, open the app and select Start Now or choose Run all from its down-arrow menu. In other versions, open Full system scan, select the tasks you want, and click Start. Available checks depend on your PC, SupportAssist version, and service plan.

What a SupportAssist scan checks

A full scan bundles the checks and maintenance tasks available on your system. Depending on your PC and service plan, these can include:

  • Check for updates: looks for supported software updates intended to address issues or improve stability.
  • Scan hardware: checks the PC’s hardware for problems.
  • Boost performance: can free drive space and remove clutter through file optimization.
  • Optimize network: adjusts device settings intended to improve network efficiency and reliability.
  • Remove virus: can isolate and remove infected files.

These are possible scan tasks, not a promise that every computer has every option or that a scan will resolve every problem. Dell’s SupportAssist for Home PCs guide describes the full system scan and its task choices.

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Before you start

  • Save your work and close files and applications before running hardware diagnostics.
  • Connect the PC to power. Some device tests require you to interact with the computer, so stay nearby while they run.

Dell’s full-scan instructions also warn that canceling an optimization does not undo changes already completed.

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Run the full scan for updates and optimizations

  1. Open SupportAssist.
  2. Select Start Now. If that option is not shown, open the down-arrow menu and select Run all. In versions that use the Home page task list, select Full system scan, choose the tasks to run, and click Start.
  3. Follow the displayed progress above the task tiles or on the tiles themselves. Leave the PC available if a task asks for input.
  4. When the scan completes, review each tile for its result and any next-step options.

Dell’s US article, last modified 19 May 2026, uses the Start Now and Run all labels. The Home PCs guide documents the related Full system scan flow; interface wording can vary by version and system.

Run a hardware diagnostic instead

If you want a hardware-focused check rather than the broader update and optimization bundle, Dell documents this whole-PC diagnostic path: Support > Get started under Test my hardware > expand I want to troubleshoot my PC > I want to scan my entire PC > Start.

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This version-specific route tests the display and connected devices, and some test types require interaction. Dell’s Australia instructions refer to SupportAssist version 4.0.3, so labels may differ in other versions or regions. The diagnostic options may include a quick hardware scan, a full-system or stress scan, and tests for specific components. If recent hardware changes leave a device missing from the component list, refresh the hardware list. A test result is diagnostic information; a failed scan does not by itself establish which part to replace. See Dell’s SupportAssist diagnostic instructions.

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Understand the results and choose a next step

  • No issue or update reported: SupportAssist may show a success summary or a status message on the relevant tile.
  • Updates found: Review the update type and count shown under Get Drivers & Downloads, then install recommended updates that apply to your PC through SupportAssist.
  • Hardware problem reported: Open the issue details. If SupportAssist offers a support-request route, follow its prompts; automated handling can depend on your service plan.
  • Issue found without a support request: After scans finish, SupportAssist may show the issue title and a notification. The notification depends on the issue’s severity.
  • Potentially unwanted programs or malware detected: Review the details and use the removal instructions provided. Treat this as one security check, not a substitute for broader security judgment.
  • Scan failed: In the guide’s error flow, expand What happened and read the error description before deciding whether to retry or troubleshoot further.
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Schedule scans and automatic tasks

To configure supported scheduled checks, open Settings and select the Scans and optimizations card. You must be signed in as an administrator. Available scan frequency can depend on the service plan.

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Automatic software installation is available only on certain PCs. Automatically boosting performance, optimizing network settings, and removing viruses or malware are also supported only in some configurations; active ProSupport Plus or Premium Support Plus can affect automatic optimization behavior. Check the controls shown in your installation rather than assuming these features are enabled or available. Dell documents the options in its guide to scheduling updates, scans, and optimizations.

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