When the installer of Windows 11 It doesn't show your unity, the feeling is of total blockage. The good news is that it's almost always drivers or a BIOS option. and can be fixed without drama. In this guide we gather all the proven solutions by manufacturers and communities so you can recover the disk and continue with the installation.
The problem is seen in several scenarios: new equipment with SSD Modern NVMe, portable with Intel VMD technology, desktops where the BIOS sees the drive but Windows doesn't, and even cases of SATA drives like a WD Red Plus that appear in the BIOS and disappear completely in Windows. Let's get to the point with causes, checks and reliable methods, including loading IRST drivers and disabling VMD when appropriate.
Understanding the fault: typical symptoms and causes
The most obvious symptom during installation is the empty drive list on the selection screen. Windows Setup indicates that there are no disks available and gives you the option to load a driver. On already working computers, the symptom may be that the drive does not appear in Explorer, Disk Management, or even in the Device administrator.
There is a recurring cause in modern hardware: Certain NVMe SSDs require specific drivers during installationIf the installer doesn't have that driver, the disk won't be displayed. This is especially common with Intel platforms that use Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) in conjunction with Intel Volume Management Device (VMD).
Seemingly simple factors also play a role. Faulty interface or cable, problematic SATA ports or adapters USB with faults cause the system to fail to identify the drive. Changing ports or cables sometimes solves what seemed like a headache.
When the system boots but the drive is not visible, other causes come into play: Missing drive letter, outdated or corrupt disk driver, or damaged file system (the partition appears as RAW). After some Windows updates, drives have also been seen to disappear until the letter is reassigned or drivers are updated.
An illustrative example: someone installs a 4TB WD Red Plus and the BIOS recognizes it, but Windows 11 doesn't show it in Device Management or Disk ManagementIn these situations, it's a good idea to try alternative SATA ports, another cable, and check if the controller requires a specific driver for the operating system to see it.
Preparations and quick checks
Before you touch anything advanced, make sure you have the basics covered. Check in the BIOS/UEFI that the disk appears with the correct capacity. If the BIOS doesn't see the drive, focus on the connections: change the SATA/NVMe cable, the motherboard port, or try another computer.
If you're using an installation USB, avoid confusion during the wizard. Do not modify USB partitions Boot; more than one person has tried to initialize or format what was actually a flash drive. In the disk list, clearly identify which is the internal drive and which is the installation media.
In SATA, one port can fail and another not. Try different ports and cables; It's a quick step that rules out physical problems. For external cases or USB docks, change the port, use another cable, or connect it to another PC. If the disk appears on another computer, you know where to look.
If the Windows installer doesn't show anything, that already indicates a missing driver. Many manufacturers recommend preparing the disk driver and copying it unzipped to the USB of the installer to load it when the wizard prompts. This method is a godsend on Intel platforms with VMD.
Finally, if your computer is a modern laptop with an Intel CPU, take note: The platform may require IRST and/or VMD adjustmentsIn that case, load the driver during the wizard or temporarily disable VMD from the BIOS, as detailed below.
Method 1: Load Intel RST drivers during installation
On Intel-based computers, a common explanation is that the installer does not include the necessary driver for the controller under VMD. The standard solution is to manually load the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver. at the point where the wizard asks where to install Windows.
This procedure applies to devices with x86/x64 architecture. If your computer is ARM (e.g. with Qualcomm CPU), see the notes section below about MyASUS cloud recovery, as the reinstallation flow is different.
First of all, determine your team's architecture if you have any doubts. Go to Windows Settings > System > About and check the System typeIf it says x64, you're in classic Intel/AMD territory; if it says ARM, follow the instructions for ARM.
Download and extract the IRST driver from your model's support page (under the Chipset category). The package is usually named something like VMD_DCH_Intel_F_… and is extracted to a folder like RSTThe wizard allows you to 'Extract' the contents to a location: choose the root directory of the USB drive you'll be using as installation media so you have it handy.
For reference, many users have started from a 19.x type version as an example, but Always download the latest version available for your modelThe installer itself will guide you: Next, accept the license, select Extract, select the destination (your flash drive), and Finish. With that, the USB drive will now have Windows and the IRST driver unzipped.
Boot from the USB and begin installing Windows 11. When you get to the drive selection screen, press Load DriverThe wizard will ask you to locate the driver: select Browse, navigate to the folder where you extracted IRST (usually 'RST') on the USB, and accept.
Select the controller from the list, usually identified as Intel RST VMD Controller. Click Next to load it. After a few seconds, the window returns to the list of drives and, if that was the block, the disk will appear normally. You are now ready to partition and install.
If after loading the IRST you still don't see the drive, don't get frustrated. The direct alternative is to temporarily disable VMD in the BIOS. and repeat the installation, as explained in the following method.
Important compatibility notes
On computers with Intel Lunar Lake CPUs, Manual installation of IRST is not supportedThe recommendation is to directly use Windows 11 version 24H2 or higher, which already includes everything you need to install without any additional steps.
Please note that screenshots of the removal and installation wizards vary between models and versions. The routes and buttons may differ slightly, but the process is the same.: Extract the driver to the USB, load it into the installer and continue.
Method 2: Disable Intel VMD in BIOS/UEFI
If you can't get the installer to see the disk even after loading IRST, Disabling Intel Volume Management Device (VMD) in BIOS usually solves this problem.. It is a reversible change that allows Windows to detect the drive without the VMD jumper.
Important: By disabling VMD you will not be able to use RAID arrays while it is disabledIf you need RAID, reinstall with the correct driver or re-enable VMD after installation and configure accordingly.
How to enter BIOS: with the computer off, hold down the F2 key and press the power buttonOn handheld game consoles, this can be done by combining the volume down key with the power button. Depending on the device, the BIOS key may vary, but on many ASUS consoles it's F2.
Classic UEFI interface: Upon entering, press F7 or choose Advanced Mode. Go to the Advanced tab and enter VMD Configuration Menu. Inside, locate the Enable VMD Controller option and change it to Disabled. The system will ask for confirmation: accept.
Save changes with F10 and confirm. The computer will reboot with VMD disabled.. Now, repeat the installation process from the USB: in most cases, the drive should appear directly without the need to load any drivers.
UEFI interface with MyASUS: similar to the previous case. Enter Advanced Settings (F7), go to Advanced, Open VMD Configuration Menu, disable VMD driver and save with F10. Reboot and return to the installer.
In either BIOS style, the result should be the same. Once Windows is installed, you can assess whether it is worth reactivating VMD. and use the appropriate driver, or leave it disabled if you don't need RAID.
If Windows boots but the drive doesn't appear: Solutions without losing data
When the system is already installed and the unit is not visible, it is best to proceed in order. The priority is not to lose information; do not format until you try the safe diagnostic steps like check disk health.
1) Check connections and try other ports
For new external or internal drives, it is essential. Disconnect and connect with another cable or in another port. For SATA, alternate ports on the motherboard; for USB, try a different connector or even another device. If it appears on another PC, the clue points to the original port/cable or to your system's drivers.
2) Update or reinstall the disk driver
After major Windows updates, some drivers become obsolete. Open Device Management and expand Disk DrivesRight-click the drive in question and select Update Driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows try to locate the latest version.
If that doesn't help, uninstall and reboot. In the same place, choose Uninstall device, accept and restart. Windows usually reinstall the generic driver upon reboot. If the manufacturer offers a newer specific package, install it manually from their website.
3) Reassign the drive letter in Disk Management
Sometimes the partition is OK but without a letter assigned. Right-click This PC > Manage > Disk Management. Find the drive you don't see in Explorer—it may appear as a partition without a letter or as unallocated space.
If only the letter is missing, Right click on the partition and click Change Letter and Paths. Choose Add, select Assign the following letter, and select an available letter. Accept and check in Explorer to see if it's already displayed.
4) Use the hardware and devices troubleshooter
Windows includes a wizard that sometimes resolves conflicts. Open the Control Panel and search for TroubleshootingIn the View All view, open Hardware and Devices and follow the prompts. It's quick and can save time if you spot a misconfiguration.
5) Format as a last option (with prior data recovery)
If nothing works and the partition appears RAW or unreadable, you'll need to format it. But first, try to recover the files with a recovery toolUser-focused solutions like EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard are designed to recover deleted data from RAW partitions or after system crashes.
The general recommendation is to attempt recovery before formatting to maximize options. Once safe, you can now format the partition. From Disk Management: Right click on the drive or partition, Format, choose file system (NTFS/FAT32, as appropriate) and confirm.
Quick questions that often arise
How do I find a drive that has vanished? Start with the physical (ports/cables), continue with drivers, check the drive letter, and run the hardware troubleshooter. If all else fails and there is no critical data, format from the command prompt.
How to view all drives in Windows 11? Press Win+E to open ExplorerGo to This PC and you'll see the available drives on the right. In Disk Management, you can also see any drives that don't have a letter or are unassigned.
Why might a record have disappeared? From a faulty USB port or cable to outdated drivers, up to drive letter loss or file system corruption that turns the partition RAW.
Notes by architecture and manufacturer tools
This installation tutorial with IRST and VMD applies to x86/x64 devices (Intel/AMD). On devices with ARM architecture (e.g. Qualcomm), manufacturers advise using the MyASUS Cloud Recovery feature in environments Win to reinstall the system.
For those who want visual support, ASUS has a video explaining how to load drivers in Windows 11/10.You can see it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuCY0ChsqAM. Also, keep in mind that models with Intel Lunar Lake require start with Windows 11 24H2 or higher instead of installing IRST manually.
Applicability
The above steps are valid in multiple team formats: Laptops, desktops, all-in-ones, handheld game consoles, and mini PCsBIOS menus and shortcuts may vary slightly, but the general flow remains the same.
Common extra tip in technical communities: If you don't see the disc on the installation screen, use the Load Driver option. and point to the extracted IRST package on your USB drive. It's a quick gesture that, on many modern laptops, makes the difference between seeing the drive or not.
If you were faced with a case like the drive that the BIOS detects but Windows doesn't (for example, a 4TB WD Red Plus), Combines physical checks (SATA/ports) with driver updates, letter reassignment and ultimately formatting with prior data recovery if the partition is RAW.
If the installer does not detect the disk on a recent Intel platform, Two winning cards are loading the IRST driver and disabling VMDBetween the two solutions, the vast majority of cases are resolved and you can continue with the installation without any surprises.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.