When Windows can’t detect the drive during installation, it’s often due to how the drive is configured in the BIOS or missing drivers for the storage controller. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
- Check the BIOS Settings: Start by booting into your BIOS (usually pressing F2, F12, or DEL when your computer powers on). Look for an option related to “SATA Mode” or “Storage Configuration.” If it’s set to RAID, try switching it to AHCI, which can make the drive visible to Windows during installation. Many laptops come pre-configured for RAID, especially business models, but AHCI is often simpler for single-drive setups.
- Load the Storage Driver: If changing to AHCI doesn’t help or you prefer to keep RAID, try loading the correct Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver during installation. On the “Where do you want to install Windows?” screen, look for “Load Driver” and browse for the IRST driver. You can usually download it from Intel’s website or your laptop manufacturer’s support page.
- UEFI vs. Legacy Boot: If you’re installing Windows from a USB, make sure it’s set up as a UEFI bootable device, as some newer laptops need UEFI mode to detect drives. If your USB was created in Legacy mode, re-create it with a tool like Rufus, selecting UEFI.
- Secure Boot and Fast Boot: Try disabling these options in the BIOS, at least temporarily during installation. Secure Boot can sometimes prevent new hardware from being detected during setup.
I’ve run into similar issues setting up new systems, and it can be pretty frustrating! If you’re also working with devices like iPhones and installing custom apps from sources like the Scarlet iOS app store, be aware that device configurations—like enabling developer mode or adjusting certain boot settings—can sometimes impact app installations or device detection on certain systems. Hopefully, one of these tips helps!
