Important assumptions (reasonable defaults)
Installing a fresh copy of Windows 10 or 11 on modern Intel-based computers—particularly 11th Gen, 12th Gen, and newer platforms—can sometimes lead to a frustrating roadblock: the Windows installer cannot detect your SSD or NVMe drive. This issue often arises because the Windows installation media lacks the necessary Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) drivers, specifically for systems running without Volume Management Device (VMD) enabled.
If the installer says no signed device drivers were found, ensure that the checkbox labeled remains checked. If unchecking it reveals the driver, you may have downloaded the wrong architecture (e.g., VMD instead of Non-VMD, or a version meant for a different generation of Intel processors). The Drive Still Does Not Appear
drivers are for systems where VMD is disabled in the BIOS or for older Intel platforms (10th Gen and earlier). Why You Need to Download the .zip Version
: During the Windows "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, click the Load Driver button. Download File F6flpy-x64-non-vmd.zip
The primary reason to download this driver package is to resolve the missing drive error during a clean installation of Windows 11 or Windows 10. This issue commonly occurs on laptops and desktops powered by Intel Core processors.
Copy these extracted files onto a USB drive (you can use the same USB drive you used to create your Windows installation media, provided it is formatted as FAT32). Step 2: Load the Driver During Setup
Paste the folder directly onto the root directory of your Windows installation USB drive. Step 3: Load the Driver During Windows Setup
Used when VMD or RAID mode is enabled in your system BIOS. If unchecking it reveals the driver, you may
The community reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. As one user wrote in Intel’s support forum: “There seems to have been an update to the Intel Rapid Storage Technology User Interface and Driver Downloads Page. Now there is only the option to download the SetupRST.exe. Previously there was a F6flpy-x64-Non-VMD.zip and F6flpy-x64-VMD.zip. These are required to load the F6 drivers during the Windows Setup Screen.”
: Since the Windows installer cannot open .zip files, you must extract the contents onto a separate USB flash drive.
the extracted files (usually .inf, .sys, and .cat files) directly onto your Windows installation USB drive. Do not keep them inside a nested folder; placing them in the root of the USB is best. Step 2: Load the Driver Start your PC with the installation USB connected.
For most users installing Windows on a recent Intel laptop (e.g., a Dell XPS, HP Pavilion, or Lenovo Legion), VMD is enabled by default. However, you should check your BIOS settings. If the storage mode is set to “” or simply “ Intel RST ,” you are almost certainly in a VMD configuration and need the VMD driver. The primary reason to download this driver package
The F6flpy-x64-non-vmd.zip file typically contains a set of drivers and software components that are used to support various hardware devices, such as storage controllers, network adapters, and other peripherals. The file may include:
On the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, click Load driver at the bottom.
Modern computer processors, especially Intel 11th Gen to 14th Gen Core processors, use advanced storage controllers to manage high-speed NVMe SSDs. Windows installation media often lacks the built-in, native drivers required to communicate with these newer controllers.
Once the driver loads successfully, your SSD or hard drive partitions will instantly appear on the screen. You can now select your drive, format or partition it as desired, and click to proceed with the standard Windows installation process. Troubleshooting Common Issues Driver is Not Recognized or Hidden
If you already have the ZIP file, extract it to a folder. If you only have SetupRST.exe , follow these steps to generate the driver folder: the latest driver from the Intel Download Center or your PC manufacturer's support site (e.g., Open Terminal/Command Prompt in the folder where you saved the Run the extraction command ./SetupRST.exe -extractdrivers SetupRST_extracted the resulting SetupRST_extracted folder onto your Windows installation USB drive. Phase 2: Load the Driver During Windows Installation
The screen was a flat, unyielding blue—the color of a digital dead end. Elias stared at the message: “We couldn't find any drives. To get a storage driver, click Load driver.”