Once the driver files are copied onto your installation media, return to the target computer where you want to install Windows.
Using the F6 installation method allows users to side-load these missing iaStorAC.inf or iaStorVD.inf layout instructions before partition writing begins. 2. Locating and Extracting the Drivers
: After selecting the folder and clicking OK, Windows will scan for compatible drivers. A list will appear. Select the driver that says something like "Intel RST VMD Controller" and then click Next . rapid intel storage technology f6flpyx64nonvmdzip install
Because standard Microsoft Windows retail installation media does not always include the latest proprietary Intel controllers pre-installed, the setup program is blind to your physical hard drive or NVMe SSD until the appropriate driver is manually loaded. The term originates from legacy Windows XP setup days when users pressed the F6 key to load third-party storage drivers via floppy disks. Today, it refers to the process of injecting a raw driver package during the partition selection window. VMD vs. Non-VMD: Choosing the Right Driver
If you are currently stuck at the "No drives found" screen during a fresh Windows installation, follow these steps: Once the driver files are copied onto your
Accept the license terms and select .
package), you must load it during the Windows "Where do you want to install Windows?" setup screen. This allows the installer to "see" your NVMe or RAID drives when they aren't detected by default. Prerequisites A working computer with internet access. The USB installation media for Windows 10 or 11. Locating and Extracting the Drivers : After selecting
Note: Disabling VMD will turn off Intel's hardware-level RAID and power optimization features for the drive, but it allows Windows to detect the drive using generic NVMe drivers without performance degradation for single-drive setups.