Are you trying to install Windows 10 from a bootable USB flash drive to a laptop MSI, but at the disk selection stage the system displays the message: “We couldn't find the drivers. To get a driver for your optical drive or hard drive, click the "Download Driver" button? This problem is typical for modern laptops with NVMe drives or non-standard SATA controllers, especially in models MSI Prestige, Modern or GF/GS series. In 90% of cases, the error is not due to a damaged flash drive, but to the lack of drivers for your drive in the Windows distribution.

In this article - 5 proven methods workarounds include manually loading drivers, changing the SATA operating mode in the BIOS, and creating custom installation media. We will also look at why the problem occurs more often on laptops MSI with processors Intel 12-13 generation or AMD Ryzen 5000/6000, and we will provide a checklist for diagnosing the malfunction. If you have already tried to recreate the flash drive via Rufus or Media Creation Tool — don’t waste your time: the solution lies deeper.

Why Windows 10 does not see drivers when installed on MSI

The root of the problem lies in lack of built-in support modern storage controllers in the Windows 10 installation image. Even if you downloaded the latest distribution from the Microsoft website, it may not contain drivers for:

  • 🔹 NVMe drives with interface PCIe 4.0/5.0 (For example, Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850X)
  • 🔹 Intel RST controllers (Rapid Storage Technology) mode RAID
  • 🔹 Chipsets AMD B550/X570 with function RAIDXpert2
  • 🔹 SATA controllers in AHCI mode on laptops with hybrid drives (Intel Optane + HDD)

The second common reason is incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings. For example, if in the section Storage Configuration mode enabled RAID instead of AHCI, Windows 10 will not be able to recognize the drive without additional drivers. The error may also appear when:

  • 🔸 Offline mode Compatibility Support Module (CSM) (needed for legacy loading)
  • 🔸 Active function Secure Boot with the wrong key
  • 🔸 Use GPT markup on a disk without UEFI support in a bootable USB flash drive
⚠️ Attention: On laptops MSI with processors Intel 12th generation and later (For example, MSI Katana GF66 12UC) the problem is often related to the lack of a driver Intel Volume Management Device (VMD). It needs to be downloaded separately from the Intel website and not from the MSI support page.

Method 1: Download drivers manually during installation

If you have a second computer or smartphone at hand, you can download the necessary drivers directly during Windows installation. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

  1. On the error screen, tap Download driver → Review.

  2. Connect to laptop second flash drive (or external drive) with pre-downloaded drivers. If it is not there, use the smartphone in mode USB drive.

  3. Go to the support site MSI (www.msi.com/support), enter your laptop model and download:

    • 📁 Driver Intel RST/VMD (for Intel processors)
    • 📁 Driver AMD Chipset or RAIDXpert2 (for AMD processors)
    • 📁 Driver NVMe (if the laptop has an M.2 SSD)

  • Unpack the archive with the driver and specify the path to the folder with the file .inf (For example, iaStorAC.inf for Intel RST).

    • If the site MSI does not offer drivers for your model, download them from official resources:

    Manufacturer Drivers link Which file to look for
    Intel downloadcenter.intel.com Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) or VMD
    AMD www.amd.com/support AMD Chipset Drivers or RAIDXpert2
    Samsung samsung.com NVMe Driver for your SSD model
    ⚠️ Attention: Do not download drivers from third party sites (such as DriverPack or DriverHub). They may contain malware or outdated versions that will not solve the problem, but will create new ones.
    📊 What type of drive is installed in your MSI laptop?
    • NVMe SSD
    • SATA SSD
    • HDD
    • Hybrid (SSHD)
    • I don't know

    Method 2: Changing SATA mode in BIOS/UEFI

    The fastest way to resolve the error is to change the drive controller operating mode in the BIOS. To do this:

    1. Restart your laptop and click DEL (or F2, depends on the model) to enter the BIOS.

    2. Go to section Settings → Advanced → Storage Configuration (name may vary).

    3. Find the parameter SATA Mode Selection and change its value:

      • 🔧 If it's worth it RAID → change to AHCI
      • 🔧 If it's worth it Optane with RAID → select AHCI or Optane without RAID

  • Save the settings (F10) and reboot.

    • After changing the mode, try installing Windows again. If the disk becomes visible, the problem is solved. If not, reset the BIOS settings to their original state and move on to the next method.

    UEFI mode is enabled (not Legacy)|Secure Boot is disabled (if unlicensed Windows is used)|SATA mode is set to AHCI|All RAID/VMD functions are disabled|CSM is enabled (if the flash drive is in MBR format)-->

    Method 3: Create custom installation media with drivers

    If manually downloading drivers does not help, you can integrate them directly into the installation flash drive. For this you will need:

    • 🖥️ Computer with Windows (for preparing a flash drive)
    • 💾 Flash drive with a capacity of ≥16 GB
    • 📁 Downloaded drivers (see. Method 1)
    • 🛠️Utility Rufus or Ventoy

    Instructions for Rufus:

    1. Connect the flash drive and run Rufus.

    2. Select Windows 10 image and partition scheme GPT (for UEFI).

    3. Click the button Drivers (next to the button Start) and add files .inf, .sys, .dll from the downloaded drivers.

    4. Start burning the flash drive (all data on it will be deleted!).

    For Ventoy the process is simpler:

    1. Install Ventoy to a flash drive (it will remain bootable for any ISO).

    2. Copy the Windows 10 ISO image and the driver folder to the USB flash drive.

    3. When installing Windows, click Download driver and specify the path to the folder on the flash drive.

    What to do if Rufus doesn't see the drivers?

    If Rufus does not allow you to add drivers through the GUI, use an alternative method:

    1. Download NTLite (free version).

    2. Load the Windows 10 ISO image into the program.

    3. In the “Drivers” section, add the .inf files from the downloaded archive.

    4. Save the modified ISO and burn it to a USB flash drive via Rufus or Ventoy.

    Method 4: Connect the drive to another PC for initialization

    If none of the methods worked, try initialize disk on another computer. This will help in cases where:

    • 🔧 The disk is new and not formatted (for example, just installed NVMe)
    • 🔧 The drive has non-standard layout (for example, GPT on a system with Legacy-BIOS)
    • 🔧 The disk controller is locked by the manufacturer (found on some models MSI Workstation)

    Step by step instructions:

    1. Remove the drive from the laptop MSI and connect it to another PC via USB adapter or M.2-SATA adapter.

    2. Open Disk management (Win + X → Disk Management).

    3. If the drive appears as Not initialized, right-click on it and select Initialize disk. Specify section style GPT (for UEFI) or MBR (for Legacy).

    4. Create a new volume, format it in NTFS and assign a letter.

    5. Return the disk to the laptop MSI and reinstall Windows.

    ⚠️ Attention: If the disk was part RAID array (for example, in laptops MSI GT76 Titan with two SSDs), connecting it to another PC may result in loss of the array. In this case use Method 5.

    Method 5: Install Windows in Legacy Mode (for older MSI models)

    On laptops MSI released before 2018 (for example, MSI GE62VR or GP62M) the problem can be solved by switching to the mode Legacy BIOS. This method is suitable if:

    • 🔹You have SATA disk (not NVMe)
    • 🔹 There is no option in BIOS AHCI
    • 🔹Are you willing to sacrifice support? Secure Boot

    How to switch:

    1. Enter BIOS (DEL or F2).

    2. Go to section Boot and turn it on CSM (Compatibility Support Module).

    3. In the section Security turn off Secure Boot.

    4. Save the settings and reboot.

    5. Boot from the flash drive in Legacy (you may need to select it manually via Boot Menu - key F11).

    After installing Windows in Legacy don't forget:

    • 🔸 Install chipset drivers from the website MSI
    • 🔸 Update BIOS to the latest version (this may return support UEFI)
    💡

    If, after switching to Legacy, Windows still does not see the disk, try disabling the option in the BIOS Fast Boot. On some models MSI it blocks initialization of drives in legacy modes.

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    When trying to fix a driver problem, users often make mistakes that only complicate the situation. Here are the most common:

    Error Consequences How to avoid
    Using drivers from a different laptop model Blue screen (INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE) after installation Only download drivers for your exact model (eg. MSI GF63 Thin 11UC, not just GF63)
    Shutdown Secure Boot unnecessarily Problems loading licensed Windows Disable only if you install Windows in Legacy
    Formatting a disk in FAT32 instead of NTFS Inability to install Windows on a disk >32 GB Always use NTFS for the system partition
    Ignoring BIOS updates Incompatibility with new versions of Windows Check the BIOS is up to date on the website MSI before installation

    Another common mistake is using unofficial Windows builds (type ZverDVD or Russian Load). They often contain outdated drivers that conflict with modern controllers MSI. Always use original images from the Microsoft website.

    💡

    If, after all the manipulations, Windows still does not see the disk, the problem may be a hardware failure of the controller or the drive itself. Check the drive on another device or test it using HDDScan.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to install Windows 10 on an MSI laptop without a flash drive using cloud recovery?

    Yes, but only if the BIOS feature is enabled Network Stack and the laptop is connected to the Internet via cable. To do this:

    1. Enter BIOS and enable UEFI Network Stack (section Advanced).
    2. Save the settings and reboot.
    3. In the boot menu (F11) select IPv4/PXE Boot.
    4. Follow the Windows Recovery Wizard instructions.

    However, this method does not work on all models. MSI and requires a stable network connection.

    Why does Windows stop booting after changing the SATA mode from RAID to AHCI?

    This happens because Windows was installed with drivers RAID, and in mode AHCI they don't work. To fix:

    1. Return to BIOS mode RAID and boot into Windows.
    2. Open Registry Editor (Win + R → regedit).
    3. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci.
    4. Change the setting Start with 3 on 0.
    5. Reboot and change the mode to AHCI in BIOS.
    Which MSI laptop models are most likely to experience this issue?

    The problem with missing drivers when installing Windows 10 is most relevant for the following series:

    • 💻 MSI Prestige 14/15 (due to controller Intel VMD)
    • 💻 MSI Modern 14/15 (NVMe drives without native support in Windows 10)
    • 💻 MSI GF/GS66/76 (hybrid systems with Intel Optane)
    • 💻 MSI Creator Z16 (non-standard controllers for high-speed SSDs)

    On laptops with processors AMD Ryzen 5000/6000 (For example, MSI Alpha 15/17) the problem is usually due to a missing driver AMD RAIDXpert2.

    Can I use drivers from ASUS or Lenovo for an MSI laptop?

    No, it's highly not recommended. Drive controller drivers are tied to specific chipsets and BIOS versions. For example, driver Intel RST for ASUS ROG may not match the version required for MSI GE76 Raider. This will lead to:

    • 🚨 Blue screens (IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)
    • 🚨 Loss of disk performance
    • 🚨 Incorrect operation of the function Optane Memory

    The exception is universal drivers from Intel or AMD, but they also need to be selected according to the chipset model.

    What to do if none of the methods helped?

    If all of the above methods did not work, try:

    1. Install Windows 11. New distributions contain more recent drivers for modern controllers.

    2. Contact MSI Support (www.msi.com/support) indicating:

      • Laptop models
      • Drive model and serial number
      • BIOS versions
      • Exact error text

    3. Check hardware health:

      • Connect the drive to another PC - is it detected?
      • Try a different drive (for example, a SATA drive instead of an NVMe drive).
      • Update your BIOS to the latest version.

    If your laptop is under warranty, do not attempt to disassemble it yourself - this may void the warranty.