Intel Z170 · LGA1151 · Skylake 6th Gen · Windows 10 / 11
CanItUpgrade.com does not host, mirror, or redistribute BIOS updates, firmware, or driver packages. Manufacturer licensing prohibits third-party redistribution of these files. All download links on this page point directly to the official manufacturer's support infrastructure — Dell, NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel — so you receive an unmodified file from a verified source.
Overview
Two manual installs matter on the R5: the BIOS and GPU drivers. Flash the BIOS to the latest version before anything else, and always pull GPU drivers directly from NVIDIA or AMD — not through Dell's support page or Windows Update.
Everything else — chipset, audio, USB, ethernet, storage — is handled well enough by Windows Update's inbox drivers. The R5 is a 2016 Skylake machine and the driver ecosystem around it has been stable for years. Skipping Dell's full factory driver list won't leave you with anything broken.
The BIOS is the one update that actually affects hardware compatibility and system stability on this platform. It's also the one update worth being careful with — see the known issues section below before you flash.
BIOS & Firmware
System BIOS
The full version history is listed here because some platforms require a prerequisite flash — an intermediate BIOS version that must be installed before the latest will accept the update. Skipping a prerequisite version can cause the final update to reject, stall, or in rare cases leave the board in a partially-flashed state. No prerequisite chain has been identified for the Aurora R5; you can flash directly to the latest version from any prior release.
Intel security advisory patches (INTEL-SA-00295, SA-00320, SA-00329). Final BIOS release for this platform — no further updates will be issued.
1.0.12
2020
Security
Intel security advisories INTEL-SA-00289 and INTEL-SA-00317. Fixed a bug where security settings reset to defaults when an admin password was set and an RTC reset was performed.
1.0.7
2018
Security
Intel security advisory INTEL-SA-00125 and INTEL-SA-00131 — Spectre/Meltdown-era microcode patches. Important update for any system still in regular use.
1.0.3
2016
Launch
Original shipping BIOS. No hardware capability changes were introduced in any subsequent version — all updates are purely security patches.
⚠
Do not use SupportAssist or Alienware Update to flash BIOS. Multiple R5 owners have reported the auto-updater hanging mid-flash, leaving the system in an unrecoverable state. Always download the BIOS executable directly from Dell's support page and run it manually from Windows. Support for the Alienware Update app ended December 31, 2024.
Suspend BitLocker before flashing. If BitLocker is enabled, the system will enter recovery mode after a BIOS update. Suspend it first via Control Panel → BitLocker Drive Encryption → Suspend protection.
Windows 11 not officially supported on this hardware. The R5's 6th gen Skylake CPU does not meet Windows 11's TPM 2.0 requirement. Windows 11 can be installed manually via ISO, but Microsoft will not deliver updates via Windows Update. Run on Windows 10 until end of support (October 2025) then evaluate.
What You Actually Need to Install Manually
BIOS — v1.0.14
The only update that materially affects hardware stability and compatibility on this platform. Contains Spectre/Meltdown microcode and subsequent Intel security patches. Download the executable from Dell's support page and run it manually from Windows — do not use SupportAssist.
Windows Update pulls GPU drivers but they lag weeks to months behind current Game Ready / Adrenalin releases. For any gaming use, go directly to nvidia.com or amd.com. Select GeForce GTX/RTX (Pascal or Turing) for NVIDIA, or the specific Radeon series for AMD. Do not use Dell's bundled GPU driver package — it is always outdated.
If you want the best possible power management and PCIe behavior, grab the Intel Chipset Device Software from intel.com. Run it once after Windows is installed. Low priority but worthwhile on a machine you plan to keep for a few more years.
Required only if you want AlienFX lighting control or fan curve customization. Note that AWCC has a long history of conflicts on older hardware — if you don't care about RGB, skip it entirely. The latest version compatible with the R5 is AWCC 4.x; newer versions target R8 and later.
These drivers are pulled automatically by Windows Update on a fresh install. You do not need to source them from Dell or third parties. The R5's hardware is old enough that inbox drivers are fully mature and stable.
Intel Z170 Chipset
Storage controller, PCIe routing, system management. Windows inbox driver is fully functional. Intel's own package from intel.com may improve power management marginally but is not necessary.
Windows ✓
Realtek HD Audio
Front panel and rear audio jacks. Windows pulls a stable Realtek inbox driver automatically. Only install Dell's version if you encounter channel or jack detection issues.
Windows ✓
Intel I219-V Ethernet
Gigabit LAN. Inbox driver is production-grade and has been updated through Windows Update for years. No manual install needed.
Windows ✓
USB 3.0 / USB 3.1 / USB-C Controllers
All USB controllers including the ASMedia USB 3.1 xHCI are handled by inbox drivers. The ASMedia firmware update from Dell is a security patch for AMD chipset vulnerabilities — apply it if you're concerned, skip it otherwise.
Windows ✓
Qualcomm / Intel Wireless (if equipped)
Qualcomm QCA61x4A / QCA9377 and Intel 7265 / 3165 Wi-Fi adapters are detected and functional via inbox drivers. Dell's packages add security patches to the wireless firmware; worth applying on an actively networked system.
Windows ✓
Storage Devices (SSD / HDD firmware)
SATA and NVMe storage drivers are handled by Windows. Drive firmware (SK Hynix, Western Digital, Lite-On) is separate — Dell hosts these but they are purely optional stability patches for the drives themselves, not for Windows compatibility.
Windows ✓
Install Order — Fresh Windows Install
Order matters because each layer provides the foundation for the next. Following this sequence avoids the most common post-install problems.
1
Flash BIOS
Before anything else. Boot to existing OS or USB, run the Dell BIOS executable manually.
2
Install Windows
Fresh install via USB. Let first-boot Windows Update run to completion before touching anything else.
3
Chipset Drivers
Intel Chipset Device Software from intel.com. Establishes the base layer everything else communicates through.
4
GPU Drivers
Direct from nvidia.com or amd.com. Reboot after install. Confirm display and game performance before continuing.
5
Everything Else
AWCC, wireless firmware patches, drive firmware. Optional. Install only what you actually need.
Known Driver Problems on This Machine
SupportAssist / Alienware Update can hang mid-BIOS flash and brick the system.
Multiple R5 owners have reported the auto-updater stalling during a BIOS flash, leaving the board in an unrecoverable state requiring a technician to re-flash the chip directly.
Always download the BIOS .exe from Dell's support page and run it manually. Never let SupportAssist handle a BIOS update on this machine.
Alienware Command Center 5.x and later does not support the Aurora R5.
AWCC 5.x targets R8 and newer hardware. Installing it on an R5 results in a broken tray app, missing lighting controls, and occasional system slow-downs on startup.
If you need AWCC, use version 4.x. If you find AWCC 5.x already installed, uninstall it fully via Programs & Features, reboot, then install the correct version.
Windows Update pushed a BIOS update on some R5 systems as a WHQL firmware package — users reported the update process looked different and less verbose than the standard Dell executable method.
The update appeared to complete successfully in all reported cases, but the silent delivery made users uncertain whether the flash had finished before restarting.
If you see a pending firmware update via Windows Update, let it complete, then verify the BIOS version in the BIOS setup screen (F2 on boot) before assuming it succeeded.
These are legacy drivers for hardware no longer under active support from Dell. The Aurora R5 reached end-of-life for driver updates — BIOS 1.0.14 is the final firmware release and no further updates will be issued. All links on this page point to manufacturer websites; CanItUpgrade.com does not host, distribute, or endorse any driver files.
BIOS flashing carries risk. A failed or interrupted BIOS update can render a system unbootable. Do not flash BIOS unless you have a reason to — if your system is stable on its current BIOS version, you are not required to update. If you do update, follow the manual installation method described above and do not use automated tools.
No liability. Driver and firmware installations are performed entirely at your own risk. CanItUpgrade.com provides this information for reference only and accepts no responsibility for data loss, hardware damage, or system instability resulting from following any guidance on this page. When in doubt, consult Dell support or a qualified technician before modifying system firmware.
Found a driver issue we missed?
If you've hit a specific driver conflict, BIOS problem, or Windows compatibility issue on the Aurora R5 that isn't documented here, submit it. Community reports are how this page stays accurate.