What Storage Driver Do I Need for a Windows 11 Install?

Question

I’m not an IT person, I’m just an average user with average IT knowledge. I have a DELL Precision 7960 purchased in May 2024. I’d like to wipe the system and do a new raw install of Windows 11 Pro. I created a bootable Windows 11 USB and everything works until I get to the step where I have to select where to install the OS to… only the USB drives are listed, the computer’s SSD HD is not listed. What storage (or other) driver do I need to download for the installation to recognize my HD?

If I go to DELL Drivers and Downloads and input my Service Tag and select Windows 11, the only storage driver in the list is:

Intel-Virtual-RAID-on-CPU-Driver_36DDC_WIN64_8.5.0.1593_A05_01.EXE

When I extract that file it still does not work to recognize the HD for the Windows 11 install.

Does anybody know what driver file I need for the install to work?

Thank you.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi Do you know what storage device you have?

DCForestry · Answer

2TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD, Class 40 DELL SKU: [400-BPRR][401-BBCQ] Hope this helps.  Thanks!

anne_droid · Answer

Hi The Internet reports... The Dell 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD Class 40, sold under SKUs 400-BPRR and 401-BBCQ, is a high-performance solid-state drive used in many Dell Precision, XPS, and Latitude systems. It is Dell-branded but manufactured by OEMs such as Kioxia (formerly Toshiba), Western Digital (SN730), or Samsung (PM981a series) depending on the system model and date of manufacture. Windows 11 includes native NVMe drivers that automatically support Class 40 drives — no separate Dell driver is required.  So that means that there may be A N Other problem or cause. So you made a W11 USB using the MS method? https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/13/windows_11_media_creation/ The company acknowledged on October 10 that version 26100.6584 of the tool, released September 29, 'might not work as expected when used on Windows 10 devices.' In reality, it simply doesn't work — a particularly inconvenient failure given Microsoft's months-long campaign of pop-ups and notifications urging Windows 10 users to upgrade  (RUFUS is the fallback position IMHO). Also the existing storage device, unlikely, may be formatted Legacy/MBR and not uEFI/GPT. The BIOS may have a setting for RAID/AHCI, with AHCI being my choice/option. If in doubt please ask.

DCForestry · Answer

Thank you. Yes, I created the bootable Win 11 USB image from the Microsoft website and burned it on a USB flash drive with RUFUS so maybe this is the problem??

I did not go into BIOS to check any of the settings you mentioned but can try that.

I always have the fall back option of the DELL recovery reset option as well, but I have never had a problem doing a raw Windows install from a bootable drive.

Thank you for the help! I'll keep trying.

BobL55 · Answer

I have a 7960 and recently did a complete reinstall onto the NVMe boot drive. I used the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Download Windows 11 which will copy all the necessary files onto a USB drive. You then boot into the USB and follow the instructions. I didn't need any other drivers as these appear to be inserted into the USB image. You do not need to use RUFUS.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi The current W11 Media creation tool is reported as having problems (unfit for purpose), hence the Rufus reference.

Precision Fixed Workstations

What Storage Driver Do I Need for a Windows 11 Install?

Windows 11 includes native NVMe drivers that automatically support Class 40 drives — no separate Dell driver is required.

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