Screenshot showing "No Drives Detected" error during Windows installation

If you’re in the middle of installing Windows 10 or 11 and you encounter the dreaded “No Drives Detected” error, don’t panic. This issue often arises due to improper physical connections or missing storage controller drivers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the troubleshooting steps to help you resolve this issue and continue with your Windows installation.

How to Fix “No Drives Detected” During Windows Installation (Windows 10/11 Tutorial)

Key Takeaways

  • Check physical connections: Ensure that all cables are securely connected to your drive and motherboard.
  • Download necessary drivers: Install the correct storage drivers for your Intel or AMD system during Windows installation.
  • Use PowerShell for driver extraction: Properly extract and transfer drivers using PowerShell to avoid errors.

Step 1: Verify Physical Connections

Computer hard drive with SATA cable and power cable properly connected to the drive.

Before diving into software fixes, it’s essential to ensure that all physical connections are intact. Here’s what you need to check:

  1. SATA or Power Cable Connections: Ensure that both the power and SATA cables are securely connected to the drive. Also, confirm that the SATA cable is firmly attached to the motherboard.
  2. NVMe SSD: If you’re using an NVMe SSD, make sure it’s properly seated in the motherboard.
Samsung 1TB NVME SSD as an example of NVME connection.

Step 2: Install the Correct Storage Controller Drivers

If physical connections are solid and the problem persists, it’s likely that the necessary drivers are missing. Here’s how to handle that:

1. Identify the Right Driver

Download page for Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver for 10th/11th Gen Platforms.
Download page for Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver for 11th up to 13th Gen Platforms.

2. Download and Prepare the Driver

Downloading the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver.

Download the appropriate IRST driver from Intel’s official website. Do not copy the downloaded SetupRST.exe file directly to your USB flash drive. Windows setup cannot extract the necessary files from it.

Copy the Setup File to a Temporary Folder

Copy the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver to a temporary folder.

Copy the setup file to a temporary folder on your local disk (e.g., C:\temp).

Open PowerShell as an Administrator

Launch powershell as Admin.

To extract the driver files, open PowerShell as an administrator. Once PowerShell is open, enter the following commands:

  1. Change to the temporary directory: cd C:/temp
  2. Run the setup file to extract the drivers: .\SetupRST.exe -extractdrivers C:\RST\
Run commands in Powershell to extract the IRST drivers from the executable file to a folder.

This will extract the necessary driver files into the C:\RST\ directory.

Locate the Extracted Driver File

iaStorVD driver files displayed in the extracted RST folder.

Once extracted, locate the iaStorVD.sys file in the C:\RST\VMD directory.

3. Transfer the Driver to a USB Flash Drive

iaStorVD driver files displayed in the root of the USB flash drive.

Copy the iaStorVD.sys file to a USB flash drive.

Note: Many users have reported more success by copying the entire RST Folder to a blank USB Flash drive.

Step 3: Load the Driver During Windows Installation

Windows installation screen with the 'Load Driver' option highlighted.

Now that the necessary driver is ready:

  1. Insert the USB flash drive into the computer where you’re installing Windows.
  2. During the Windows installation process, click on “Load Driver” when prompted.
  3. Browse to the USB drive, select the iaStorVD.sys file (or RST folder), and click “OK.”
  4. Once the driver is loaded, your drive should be visible, allowing you to continue the Windows installation.
Screenshot of an example of selecting the Intel RST VMD Controller driver during installation.

Step 4: Alternative Driver Installation (If Intel RST Doesn’t Work) or on AMD Hardware

If the Intel RST driver doesn’t resolve the issue or you have AMD Hardware, follow these steps to find an alternative solution:

1. Check System Information

System information screen in Windows 10/11.
  • Open System Information and check your Baseboard Manufacturer and Baseboard Product if you’re on a desktop.
  • For laptops, locate the laptop model number.

2. Download Motherboard-Specific Drivers

Gigabyte motherboard support website.
  • Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website and search for your specific model.
  • Download any relevant SATA, RAID, or AHCI drivers listed for your system. These drivers may include NVMe RAID or SATA RAID drivers, depending on your hardware.
Gigabyte motherboard support website with option to download SATA RAID/AHCI drivers.

3. Transfer and Use Drivers

NVMe_RAID and SATA_RAID drivers downloaded from Gigabyte motherboard support page highlighted.
  • Copy the extracted driver files to a USB flash drive.
  • Restart the Windows installation and let it scan the USB drive for any applicable drivers.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “No Drives Detected” error during your Windows 10 or 11 installation. Ensuring that your physical connections are secure and that the correct drivers are installed is key to resolving this issue. If the issue persists, double-check for any system-specific drivers from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer


FAQ

How do I know which driver to download for my system?

Check your processor generation or motherboard model. For Intel systems, use the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver. For AMD systems, refer to your motherboard manufacturer’s website for the appropriate SATA or RAID drivers.

Can I just copy the driver setup file to a USB drive and use it during installation?

No, you need to extract the driver files from the setup file first. Windows installation cannot extract drivers directly from a .exe file.

What if the Intel RST driver doesn’t work?

If the Intel RST driver doesn’t work, you’ll need to download specific drivers from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website. Look for SATA, RAID, or AHCI drivers that are meant for use during Windows setup.

Why is my NVMe SSD not detected during installation?

If an NVMe SSD isn’t detected, it could be due to missing storage controller drivers or improper physical connections. Ensure the SSD is properly seated and that you’ve loaded the correct NVMe drivers during the installation process.

Is this guide applicable to both Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations?

Yes, the steps provided in this guide apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations.

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