Solved NVMe missing


2Savage

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Windows 11
Hello, I bought this NVMe

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093QL29RZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1&pldnSite=1

Installed correctly onto the motherboard. When I boot to Windoze 11 installer, it does not detect. Linux can detect and use.
2022-UEFI only HP Laptop i3 8GBDDR3.
On Western Digital website, they do not have a specific downloadable driver available on the product page for this NVMe. So I downloaded a pack of drivers for all their NVMe models, booted the Win11 installer, and located the driver, but the Win11 installer says it is hiding it because it is not compatible with my hardware, I thought that was odd. The driver pack does include the same Model number ‎SN350, but instead of just saying "‎SN350" like my product detail says, the WD driver pack says "‎ULtrastar ‎SN350". Is that driver a slightly different NVMe drive type, even if the model number is the same? Anyway, how do I get the Win11 installer to recognize my NVMe, if WD does not provide a compatible driver?
To get around this, I booted into Linux, it detects my NVMe perfectly, then I did full disk clone using CloneZilla my old SSD Win11 installation to the NVMe, rebooted to the NVMe, which now had fully installed Win11 installation, but it crashes.
To get around that, I put a Win11 installation onto a USB drive, and booted to that, and installed the WD Dashboard, but it could not detect my NVMe, so instead I installed the WD driver program, and it did install the NVMe and it worked after that. Because this worked, perhaps I could solve this by recloning the Win11 installation from the USB drive to the NMVe now that the Win11 installation has the driver installed and working?

I contacted WD, spoke with senior support, and they confirmed there is no stand alone driver for this product.
What is the best and most elegant solution to this? Thank you.
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Did you initialize the SSD? If not, do it.

WD SSDs use the standard NVMe Windows drivers, they don´t need special drivers.

WD Dashboard is a very picky software, it may not support your SSD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
Could you fill in "My Computer" details, it would help with troubleshooting the problem
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self build
    CPU
    3900x
    Motherboard
    Asus 570 plus
    Memory
    32
    Graphics Card(s)
    Rtx 2070
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    samsung 4k 28"
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1 gb nvme
    PSU
    Corsair 650w
    Case
    midi tower
    Cooling
    Watercooled
    Keyboard
    rgb wireless
    Mouse
    wireless logitech
    Internet Speed
    50m
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink
    CPU
    Amd ryzen 5 5600H (Cezanne)
    Motherboard
    beelink
    Memory
    32 gig
    Graphics card(s)
    Vega
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    samsung 4k
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 x 1tb nvme
    PSU
    12v
    Case
    mini pc
    Cooling
    air
    Mouse
    wireless logitech
    Keyboard
    rgb wireless
    Internet Speed
    50m
    Browser
    edge
    Antivirus
    windows defender
Did you initialize the SSD? If not, do it.

WD SSDs use the standard NVMe Windows drivers, they don´t need special drivers.

WD Dashboard is a very picky software, it may not support your SSD.
This is incorrect. Standard SATA SSD drivers are completely different to nvme drivers. Depending on NVME type, many require Intel IRST drivers which are not part of standard window iso.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
This is incorrect. Standard SATA SSD drivers are completely different to nvme drivers. Depending on NVME type, many require Intel IRST drivers which are not part of standard window iso.
By stating "Depending on NMVe type" do you mean the controller? It's the motherboard's implementation of the PCIe controller that determines whether the Intel IRST drivers are required.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
By stating "Depending on NMVe type" do you mean the controller? It's the motherboard's implementation of the PCIe controller that determines whether the Intel IRST drivers are required.
Yeah that is more accurate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
One of my computers has an NVMe M.2 SSD [it's my HP Pavilion TP01-0026na].
Is there any means of checking whether or not I will face this problem if I ever need to reinstall Windows?

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
One of my computers has an NVMe M.2 SSD [it's my HP Pavilion TP01-0026na].
Is there any means of checking whether or not I will face this problem if I ever need to reinstall Windows?

The problem with the missing Intel RST drivers is on computers with Intel 11th generation CPUs or newer.

You can also test it by booting from the Windows installation medium and going to the point where the drive(s) are displayed.

As long as you don't delete or format any partitions there, nothing will happen.

If the partitions of your hard disk are visible there, there is no driver problem.

At this point, exit Windows Setup and boot back into Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
The problem with the missing Intel RST drivers is on computers with Intel 11th generation CPUs or newer.

You can also test it by booting from the Windows installation medium and going to the point where the drive(s) are displayed.

As long as you don't delete or format any partitions there, nothing will happen.

If the partitions of your hard disk are visible there, there is no driver problem.

At this point, exit Windows Setup and boot back into Windows.
Also, you can boot from the standard Windows 10/11 installation media and at the first screen press Shift + F10. That will open a command prompt and then run:
diskpart
list disk

See if the NVMe SSD shows up in the list.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Thanks for that. I'll run the test when that computer finishes its current chores.

All the best,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
Thanks for explaining. I've tested that computer now and my NVMe M.2 is indeed listed when I boot from the InstallUSB so I won't have this problem when/if I clean install in the future.

All the best,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
Yes, your hunches are right: this is an Intel 11th Generation CPU i3, and when I go into the UEFI, it lists the disk as a "non-RAID RST" drive. So you are saying that if I browse for an Intel RST driver during Win11 setup, it will detect the NVMe?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Both my old (2014) Dell and my new (2021) Dell require the Intel IRST drivers for me to be able to clean install Windows. These pre-boot drivers have always been called f6 drivers but MS now calls them boot-start drivers. I have them on external media and have to insert them during the installation process. They can also be added to the iso but since isos change so often I just load them from a second usb drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Yes, your hunches are right: this is an Intel 11th Generation CPU i3, and when I go into the UEFI, it lists the disk as a "non-RAID RST" drive. So you are saying that if I browse for an Intel RST driver during Win11 setup, it will detect the NVMe?
Yes. You need:

You need one of the zip files - depending on whether or not you have VMD enabled.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Yes, your hunches are right: this is an Intel 11th Generation CPU i3, and when I go into the UEFI, it lists the disk as a "non-RAID RST" drive. So you are saying that if I browse for an Intel RST driver during Win11 setup, it will detect the NVMe?

Yes, look at this Knowledge Base post:


Other manufacturers such as Asus and Dell have also published one on the issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
Both my old (2014) Dell and my new (2021) Dell require the Intel IRST drivers for me to be able to clean install Windows. These pre-boot drivers have always been called f6 drivers but MS now calls them boot-start drivers. I have them on external media and have to insert them during the installation process. They can also be added to the iso but since isos change so often I just load them from a second usb drive.
I just have a batch file that takes iso, makes temporary copy of files on hard drive, injects key drivers into boot.wim and install.wim, and creates new iso. Takes about 5 minutes on my pc.

I often reuse same isos to create different native vhdx files.

The other advantage of doing it this way is I also inject graphics, wifi, usb 3 drivers etc, so when I do first boot, all the key drivers are pre-installed and I do not have to faff around sorting thrm out in device manager.

I never clean install my host OS but I do periodically export my key drivers so I have a reasonably up to date set.

Going one stage further, I sometimes create a custom iso of existing pc, do same as above using drivers for NEW pc, and hey presto - I can transfer OS from one pc to another and it just works first time.

I find this easier than using Macrium Reflect Redeploy option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
Is there any means of checking whether or not I will face this problem if I ever need to reinstall Windows
Denis, I have only run into this issue with Dell systems (usually Optiplex and Precision)using raid. In relation to the 11th gen i3, I can not say as I haven't worked on one.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
@Brink,

I bet I am not the only one who had never heard of this issue before the current threads started [this one & Unusual User name pecularity - post #45 onwards - TenForums].

Perhaps you could add an explanation & a reference to NavyLCdr's suggested test in post #9 above to both the TenForums & ElevenForum tutorials on
- Making an InstallUSB
- Clean install
so that people are warned about what to check before they get stuck into these procedures.
You might also want to include a reference to the HP article TekkieBoy linked to in post #16 above; it has quite a decent explanation of both the situation & the action required.

All the best,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
So you are saying that if I browse for an Intel RST driver during Win11 setup, it will detect the NVMe?
Just in case it is not clear from the other [perfectly correct] responses to your post, you need to take the additional steps described in order to put an IRST driver on your InstallUSB in order to use that browse command to find it.

All the best,
Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296

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