To overcome this compatibility issue and install bluetooth drivers on your Dell laptop, you can still use your Windows 7 drivers. Let me show you how.
What this process will do?
After completing this process successfully, you will have bluetooth drivers installed on your system and you can use bluetooth services.
Which device is this process intended for?
This is intended for Dell Inspiron laptop models running any version of Windows 8. It might work with other models and other manufacturers too.
Okay so let's begin.
First of all, if you do not have drivers to install, you can download latest drivers from Dell here - http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx. Provide your service tag number there and it will show all available drivers for your device.
Run your bluetooth driver installation file. For Dell Inspiron N5010 model, it is R226746.exe or Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module Application.exe. Note that it may wary model by model. Click Continue.
It will ask you the folder to extract files to. Keep it default, which is - C:\dell\drivers\R226746, and click OK.
After files get extracted, the installer may autorun. If so, it will show compatibility error. If it does not auto run and you run setup.exe manually by going to the C:\dell\drivers\R226746 directory, it will show you compatibility error.
So now to solve this problem, open Win64 folder if you are running 64-bit version of Windows 8 or Win32 folder if you are running 32-bit version of Windows 8. If you don't know which version you are running, go to desktop, right click on Computer icon and click Properties. See System type to identify which version it is.
After going to the folder, look for Inst.exe file. Right click on it and click Run as Administrator. The installation should start without the Compatibility error.
Now you can complete the installation. Make sure wireless radio is on before proceeding though.
Okay so this is it. It was the quick tutorial on How to install Bluetooth drivers on a Dell Laptop running Windows 8.
Will be back with more. Until then, Adios!
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