Step reference
Dell BIOS configuration
Apply Dell firmware settings in WinPE before Windows installs — Secure Boot, TPM, virtualization, boot, wireless and Thunderbolt — using Dell Command | Configure.
What it does
Applies BIOS/firmware settings on Dell hardware using Dell Command | Configure, in WinPE before Windows installs. Every setting is optional — leave a field blank to leave it unchanged — and the step is skipped automatically on non-Dell hardware, so it's safe in a mixed-fleet template.
Options
Each setting is Enable / Disable unless a set of choices is listed; leave blank to leave it as-is.
| Setting | Notes |
|---|---|
| Secure Boot | Enable to satisfy Windows 11 / BitLocker requirements. |
| Legacy Boot / CSM | Usually disabled for modern UEFI installs. |
| TPM | Enable / Disable. |
| TPM Security (activate) | Enable to activate the TPM. |
| Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) | For Hyper-V, WSL2, sandboxes. |
| VT for Direct I/O (VT-d / IOMMU) | Directed-I/O virtualization. |
| Fast Boot | Minimal / Thorough / Auto. |
| Wake on LAN | Disable / LAN only / LAN + PXE boot. |
| Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) | Enable / Disable. |
| Bluetooth | Enable / Disable. |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Enable / Disable. |
| BIOS admin password | Vault secret name. Leave blank to skip. |
Good to know
- Protected settings may need the BIOS admin password. Where a Dell model protects settings behind a setup password, supply it here (as a vault secret) so the change can be applied.
- Runs in WinPE, before the OS, so firmware is correct from the very first Windows boot.
- Non-blocking by default: it warns and continues rather than stopping the whole build.
- On HP hardware, use HP BIOS configuration instead.
Part of the step catalogue.
Related
Install Windows 11
True bare-metal Windows 11 install with the right OEM driver pack injected automatically. Skips cleanly if the device already has Windows.
OOBE configuration
Auto-answer the out-of-box screens (region, keyboard, device name, EULA, optional Wi-Fi) and optionally skip the account screen so the device lands ready — no duplicate admin.
Language & region
Set the display language, keyboard layout, regional format, home location and timezone for the installed Windows and every new user. Autopilot-compatible.