Summary
This guide walks through the process of installing NVMe
drivers during Windows setup—especially useful when your NVMe SSD isn’t
detected. It covers standard NVMe drives, RAID configurations, and
troubleshooting steps.
Scenario 1: Standard
NVMe (Non-RAID) Drive
Step 1: Prepare the Installation Media
- Use
the latest Windows 10/11 ISO (Windows 10 version 1709+ includes native
NVMe support).
- Create
a bootable USB using Rufus or the Media
Creation Tool.
Step 2: Download NVMe Driver
- Samsung - Samsung NVMe Driver
- WD/SN series -WD Dashboard or NVMe driver
- Intel - Intel RST or NVMe drivers
- For common -https://www.asus.com/me-en/supportonly/irst/helpdesk_download/
- Phison-based drives
→ Usually use Microsoft’s built-in NVMe driver.
Step 3: Copy Driver to USB
- Extract
the driver package (.inf, .cat, .sys files).
- Copy
the folder to your Windows installation USB or a separate USB stick.
Step 4: Start Windows Installation
- Boot
from your Windows installation USB.
- Proceed
until you reach the “Where do you want to install Windows?” screen.
- If no
drives are visible, click “Load driver.”
Step 5: Load the NVMe Driver
- Insert
the USB containing the driver.
- Click Browse, and navigate to the folder with the .inf file. (iaStorVD.inf)
- Select
it and click Next.
- Once
loaded, your NVMe SSD should appear.
- Continue
with Windows installation.
Scenario 2: NVMe Under
RAID Mode (Intel RST / AMD RAID)
Step 1: Identify Platform
- Intel
→ Download Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) F6 driver.
- AMD →
Download AMD RAID driver package.
Step 2: Extract the “F6 Floppy” Driver
- Locate
the F6flpy-x64 or similar folder inside the driver package.
- Copy
it to a USB drive.
Step 3: Load During Installation
- Boot
into Windows setup.
- At
“Where do you want to install Windows?”, click Load driver.
- Browse
to the F6 folder on your USB.
- Select
the .inf file and install.
- Your
NVMe drive under RAID should now appear.
Scenario 3: NVMe Not
Detected Even After Loading Driver
Troubleshooting
Checklist
BIOS
Settings
- Storage
Configuration → Ensure NVMe or AHCI mode is enabled.
- Disable
CSM (Compatibility Support Module) if using UEFI boot.
- Installation
USB
- Confirm
it’s GPT and UEFI compatible.
Hardware
Check
- Reseat
the NVMe drive.
- Try
a different M.2 slot if available.