Dell Command | Update vs Monitor Switch

Dell Command | Update is a free standalone utility for Dell commercial client computers. It simplifies BIOS, firmware, driver, and application updates, identifying required packages from the computer identity. After the operating system and network drivers are installed, it can install additional drivers. Its interface identifies, applies, and schedules updates, while a command-line interface supports automated installations. Administrators can set download and storage locations, filters, schedules, internet proxy settings, import or export settings, and driver-library locations. Advanced Driver Restore is listed for Windows reinstallation. Version 5.1 and later supports Intel and ARM architectures, with separate releases for Intel or AMD computers and ARM computers. Dell lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 support, including UWP support for Windows 10 build 14393 or later. Version 5.7.2 requires .NET Desktop Runtime 10.0 version 10.0.8 or later. Dell warns of a service-corruption issue when that version is manually installed alongside Dell Client Device Manager 1.1.

Monitor Switch is an MIT-licensed service for switching a monitor’s input and controlling its DDC/CI features through a browser interface, HTTP API, scripts, or Home Assistant. It is designed for people who use one monitor with multiple computers, including when the computer currently displayed is asleep or off. Where a monitor exposes the controls, the service can adjust brightness, contrast, volume, mute, picture mode, colour temperature, RGB gain, and black level. It can also read usage hours, firmware level, refresh rates, and power state. Editable profiles set monitor values and can replace incorrect capability detection. For Home Assistant, MQTT discovery presents profile features as entities such as selectors, sliders, and sensors. The service runs on a Raspberry Pi connected to the monitor by HDMI; setup requires Raspberry Pi OS and SSH, and installation uses an Ansible playbook. The project is described as usable but not yet released. Hardware verification is reported only for a Samsung Odyssey G9 with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W; other monitors have not been verified.