Extract the files (look for .inf , .sys , and .cat files) to a USB drive.
On newer systems (10th Gen Intel and later), Windows often fails to see any drives during setup because it lacks the built-in Intel VMD/RST driver. Even if you aren't using RAID, you must often "load driver" during installation to make the disk visible.
This is the standard "non-RAID" mode for SATA controllers. The RST driver replaces the generic "Standard SATA AHCI Controller" driver provided by Microsoft. Intel Sata Non Raid Driver
On some chipsets, using the generic Windows driver instead of the specific Intel RST driver can lead to increased boot times or system hangs. How to Obtain and Install
It is generally safe to uninstall the RST software (the management app) on single-drive systems, but the underlying driver should remain to ensure the controller operates efficiently. Extract the files (look for
Intel provides different drivers for different processor generations (e.g., separate installers for 8th/9th Gen vs. 12th/13th Gen).
On 11th Gen platforms and newer, Intel Volume Management Device (VMD) technology may "take over" both SATA and NVMe drives. If VMD is enabled in the BIOS, you must use the RST driver even for a single non-RAID disk to be seen by the OS. This is the standard "non-RAID" mode for SATA controllers
During Windows setup, click and browse to that USB folder to reveal your disk. Performance and Compatibility