The company noted that the update will be rolled out in phases over the next few weeks.
The so-called "NoDo" update that adds a much-wanted copy-and-paste functionality first began on Tuesday, according to tweets and a blog written by Dell's Lionel Menchaca.
Microsoft customers have loudly complained that the copy and paste feature should have been included when the Dell Venue Pro and other devices originally shipped last fall. This week, a crisis management expert for the late addition.
The Dell blog explains in detail how to install the update, which requires Microsoft's Zune software.
Dell is also planning a separate update with additional enhancements, but Menchaca didn't say when that would be available. The current copy and paste update requires a February update already provided by Microsoft.
In addition to copy and paste, the current includes faster app speed and game loading times for Windows Phone 7 devices.
The Dell Venue Pro, with its 4.1 in. touchscreen and vertical slider physical keyboard, stood out when Microsoft first announced WP7 devices in October, partly because it reflected in smartphones.
Dell originally shipped the Venue Pro last fall, but had by November due to problems with Wi-Fi connections and mislabeled batteries.
Sales resumed Dec. 1 at a reduced $99.99 price with a two-year contract from T-Mobile.
Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at , or subscribe to . His e-mail address is .
in Computerworld's Mobile and Wireless Topic Center.