Trying to install Windows 11 25H2, but your SSD or HDD doesn't appear during Windows Setup? Instead of seeing your storage drive, Windows only detects your USB installation media, making it impossible to continue.
Don't worry—this is one of the most common Windows installation problems, especially on newer Intel and AMD laptops.
- Fix SSD not detected during Windows 11 installation
- Fix HDD not showing in Windows Setup
- Load Intel RST / VMD storage drivers
- Install Windows 11 without storage errors
- Continue Windows installation successfully
Table of Contents
- Why Windows 11 Can't Detect Your SSD
- Download the Required Storage Driver
- Extract the Driver Files
- Copy Drivers to Your Bootable USB
- Load Drivers During Windows Installation
- Continue Installing Windows 11
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Doesn't Windows 11 Detect My SSD or HDD?
Many new laptops use modern storage technologies such as Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) or Intel VMD (Volume Management Device).
Because of this, the default Windows 11 installer doesn't include the correct storage driver for some computers.
As a result, Windows Setup cannot communicate with your SSD or HDD, so it appears as though no drive is installed.
- No SSD or HDD appears during Windows installation.
- Only the Windows bootable USB drive is visible.
- You receive "No drives were found" during setup.
- You cannot continue installing Windows.
Step 1 — Download the Required Storage Driver
To solve this problem, you'll need the correct storage driver. I've already prepared the required driver files in a ZIP archive to make the process easier. Simply download the ZIP file from the link below.
Download Storage Driver Package
Click the button below to download the ZIP file.
⬇ Download Driver ZIPAfter downloading the ZIP file, continue with Step 2 below.
Step 2 — Extract the ZIP File
After the download is complete, locate the ZIP file inside your Downloads folder. Right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All. If you're using WinRAR or 7-Zip, simply choose Extract Here or Extract to Folder.
Windows will create a new folder containing all the required storage driver files. These files will be used later during Windows Setup to help Windows detect your SSD or HDD.
Step 3 — Copy the Driver Folder to Your Bootable USB
Now connect your Windows 11 bootable USB drive to your computer. Wait a few seconds until Windows detects it. Open File Explorer, then open your bootable USB drive.
Locate the extracted driver folder that you created in the previous step. Copy the entire folder. Now paste the folder directly into the root of your Windows 11 bootable USB drive.
After the copy process finishes, safely eject the USB drive from your computer. Your bootable USB is now ready.
Step 4 — Start Windows 11 Installation
Connect the Windows 11 bootable USB drive to the computer where you want to install Windows. Turn on the computer and enter the Boot Menu. Depending on your PC manufacturer, the boot key may be:
- F12 (Dell)
- F9 (HP)
- F12 (Lenovo)
- Esc (Asus)
- F11 (MSI)
- F12 or Esc (Acer)
Select your Windows 11 bootable USB drive and press Enter. Continue the Windows installation normally by selecting your language, keyboard layout, and region.
Eventually, you'll reach the screen where Windows says that no drives were found. Don't worry—this is exactly where we'll fix the problem.
Step 5 — Load the Storage Driver During Windows Setup
When you reach the screen where your SSD or HDD is missing, don't panic. This simply means Windows Setup doesn't have the correct storage driver yet. Look for the Load Driver button and click it.
A File Explorer window will open. Navigate to your Windows bootable USB drive, then open the storage driver folder that you copied earlier. Select the folder and click OK.
Windows Setup will scan the folder and display the available storage drivers. In most cases, you'll only see one compatible driver. If multiple drivers appear, select the first one unless your computer manufacturer recommends a different option. Click Next to continue.
Step 6 — Your SSD or HDD Should Now Appear
After a few seconds, Windows Setup will automatically scan your computer again. This time, your SSD or HDD should appear in the drive list.
Congratulations! Windows can now detect your storage device successfully. You can now create, delete, or format partitions if needed, then select the drive where you want to install Windows 11. Click Next to begin the installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my SSD not showing during Windows 11 installation?
Most newer Intel laptops use Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) or Intel VMD. Windows Setup may not include the required driver, so your SSD remains hidden until the correct storage driver is loaded.
Will this delete my files?
No. Loading the storage driver does not erase any files. However, formatting or deleting partitions during installation will permanently remove data, so always back up important files first.
Does this method work for Windows 11 25H2?
Yes. This guide works with Windows 11 25H2 and most recent versions of Windows 11. It also works on many Intel-based laptops and desktops that use RST or VMD storage controllers.
Do I need an internet connection?
No. Once you've copied the storage driver folder to your bootable USB drive, you can complete the installation without an internet connection.
Conclusion
That's it! Your SSD or HDD should now be detected, and you can continue installing Windows 11 without any issues. This simple method has helped thousands of users fix the "No drives found" error during Windows installation. If this guide helped you, consider sharing it with friends or anyone facing the same problem. For more Windows 11 tutorials, troubleshooting guides, PC optimization tips, and step-by-step installation guides, keep visiting ALL PC GEEK.
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
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