How to Resolve NVMe Drive Not Detected During Windows 11 Setup.

Are you stuck with the error "We couldn't find disks. To get a storage driver, click Load driver" when installing Windows 10 or 11? This frustrating issue often arises when trying to install Windows on a laptop or desktop with an NVMe drive or a RAID storage controller. Don’t worry—this guide will show you step-by-step how to resolve the problem and successfully complete your Windows installation.

Why Does the “We Couldn't Find Disks” Error Happen?

This error occurs because Windows Setup cannot detect your computer’s hard drive. The main reasons include:

1. No disk is installed on the system.
2. The system’s storage controller requires a specific driver that is missing from the Windows installation media. Without the necessary driver, Windows cannot communicate with the storage controller to access the drive.

The second reason is especially common with modern systems using NVMe storage drives or RAID configurations. Windows lacks the appropriate Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) drivers required to recognize these devices. The absence of these drivers prevents Windows from initiating the communication necessary to access the NVMe drives or RAID configurations.

To fix this, you’ll need to manually load the correct drivers during the Windows installation process.

How to FIX the problem: "We Couldn't Find Disks" when installing Windows 11/10 on an NVME disk.

Follow the steps below if Windows Setup does not recognize the NVME drive when installing Windows 10/11.

Step 1: Download Intel RST Drivers and Copy Them to a USB Drive

From another working computer, download the necessary Intel RST drivers to the USB drive you use to install Windows.

1. 1. Click the below link to visit Intel's RST support page: *
      • https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/products/55005/technologies/intel-rapid-storage-technology-intel-rst.html

* Note: If you own a laptop, you can download the Intel RST drivers from your laptop's manufacturer support page.

1. 1. Scroll down to 'Latest Drivers & Software" section and according to the generation of your Intel Processor, download the corresponding Intel RST drivers for your system. This ensures compatibility with your hardware, facilitating proper communication between Windows and the storage controller.
   2. Right-click on the folder where you saved the downloaded SetupRST.exe (e.g., in "Downloads" in this example) and select Open in terminal.*

* Note: On Windows 10, hold down the SHIFT key, then right-click on the folder and select Open PowerShell window here.

1. 1. In the terminal/PowerShell window, give the below command to extract the "SetupRST.exe" file

./SetupRST.exe -extractdrivers SetupRST_extracted

This command unpacks the necessary drivers from the executable file, allowing you to load them during the Windows installation process.

1. 1. Close the terminal window and then copy the SetupRST_extracted folder to your Windows installation USB drive. This step ensures that the drivers are accessible during the installation process.

Step 2: Load Intel RST Drivers During Windows Installation

Now that you have the Intel RST drivers on the Windows install USB drive, you can load them during the Windows installation process on the computer showing the error.

1. 1. Boot the affected PC from the Windows installation USB drive. This initiates the installation process.
   2. When you see the error "We couldn't find disks" and asked “Where do you want to install Windows?”, click the Load driver option. This option allows you to manually specify the driver necessary for Windows to recognize the NVMe drive.

1. Click the Browse button, explore the contents of the USB drive, and navigate to this path:
   • SetupRST_extracted\production\Windows10-x64\19041\Drivers\VMD
2. Select the "VMD" folder and click OK. This loads the appropriate driver files required for the storage controller.
   1. Now, choose the appropriate Intel RST controller driver from the list and click Next. This step installs the driver, allowing Windows to communicate with the NVMe drive.
   2. Once the driver is loaded, Windows will detect your NVMe disk. This indicates that the driver installation was successful.
   3. Once this is done, continue to install Windows on the detected disk. The installation process should now proceed without further interruptions.

Additional Methods to Resolve NVMe Detection Issues

Method 1: Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

Sometimes, updating your system's BIOS or UEFI firmware can resolve compatibility issues with NVMe drives. Manufacturers frequently release updates that include bug fixes and enhancements for drive recognition.

For detailed instructions, refer to your PC or motherboard manufacturer's official support page.

Method 2: Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings

Ensure that NVMe or RAID mode is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Enter the BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key during boot (often F2, Del, or Esc) and navigate to the storage configuration section. Adjust the settings as necessary to ensure NVMe recognition.

Summary

The error "We couldn't find disks" during Windows 10/11 installation is usually caused by missing drivers for NVMe drives or RAID storage controllers. By downloading and loading the correct Intel RST driver during setup, updating BIOS/UEFI, and configuring the storage settings, you can resolve this issue and install Windows without further interruptions.

Did this guide help you fix the problem? Share your experience in the comments below.

SEO Tags: Windows 11 installation, NVMe drive not detected, Intel RST drivers, BIOS update for NVMe, RAID storage configuration, Windows setup error, NVMe compatibility issues, load storage drivers during Windows install

• Author
• Recent Posts

Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Repairwin.com. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

Latest posts by Konstantinos Tsoukalas (see all)

• Top Windows 11 Issues and Solutions for April 2026: A Comprehensive Guide. - April 29, 2026
• FIX "BitLocker Recovery" Loop after installing KB5083769 - April 27, 2026
• Ultimate CoD Warzone Settings for Enhanced FPS and Visibility - April 9, 2026