How to Enable AHCI Mode for SATA in BIOS without Reinstalling Windows
Read to find out which mode your PC controller is using and how to enable AHCI for SATA on a computer with a Windows OS installed. Many people can ask quite a logical question: why have IDE mode for a SATA disk, if AHCI mode is natural for it enabling this SATA disk to completely realize its potential? Moreover, many motherboard manufacturers supply products with a default option to support PATA compatibility mode – IDE.
How to Enable AHCI Mode Without Reinstalling Windows, INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE Error 💻🛠️🤔
- IDE and AHCI
- How to Find out Which Mode the Computer’s Controller is Using?
- How to Enable AHCI Mode for SATA on a Computer Where Windows is Already Installed?
- Questions and answers
- Comments
IDE and AHCI
The SATA interface can operate in two modes, IDE and AHCI:
- IDE – a compatibility mode for older equipment and software. In fact, in this mode SATA capcity is no different from its predecessor, ATA (or PATA) interface;
- AHCI – a new mode for memory devices, where a computer can use all SATA advantages, primarily higher speed of data exchange with SSD and HDD (Native Command Queuing technology, or NCQ), as well as hot swapping of hard disks. When you activate AHCI mode, it increases the speed of access to files in memory devices and improves overall performance of your computer.
Many people can ask quite a logical question: why have IDE mode for a SATA disk, if AHCI mode is natural for it enabling this SATA disk to completely realize its potential? Moreover, many motherboard manufacturers supply products with a default option to support PATA compatibility mode – IDE.
The matter is that operation of disk controllers in AHCI mode is supported in operating systems beginning with Windows Vista. That is, if you connect a disk with Windows XP to the system with AHCI-enabled controllers, you will run into a BSOD error (“the blue screen of death”). On the other hand, any SATA disk can work in IDE mode. Without kowing it, many users will feel no difference. In this way, computer manufacturers are trying to avoid possible problems with compatibility of hardware and software.
Another important difference between IDE and AHCI concerns working with SSDs. Remember that you can’t install an operating system on an SSD in IDE mode – it requires AHCI to be enabled.
How to Find out Which Mode the Computer’s Controller is Using?
It is quite possible that AHCI mode is already enabled in your PC. It can be checked in several ways:
Method One
- Go to Device Manager
- Open the section “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers”
- If there is a device containing “AHCI” in its name as in our case, it means that AHCI mode is used in this computer.
Method Two
-
Go to BIOS or UEFI.
Go to view
How to Enter BIOS or UEFI in a Computer or Laptop and Boot from a Flash Drive or a CD, DVD 💽🛠️💻
-
Find an item with the name «Storage options», «SATA Mode», «SATA Emulation» or anything similar.
-
If the value of such item is «AHCI» then AHCi mode is already enabled.
-
If the value says «IDE», don’t hurry to change it into «AHCI».
The matter us that if you just enable AHCI mode after Windows installation, you will face a BSOD error, INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE (which is known as “blue screen of death”) or your system will refuse to boot, getting stuck in a series of restarts. That is why it is recommended to enable AHCI before installing Windows.
Please take note, that in some computers, there is no BIOS option to change to AHCI mode. In this case, the problem can sometimes be fixed by updating the BIOS.
How to Update BIOS For ASUS, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Acer, Samsung, Gigabyte, Asrock, AMI, Phenix Award 💽💻🤔
How to Enable AHCI Mode for SATA on a Computer Where Windows is Already Installed?
There are several ways to enable AHCI mode for SATA on a computer where Windows is already installed, and Windows will work normally after this operation:
METHOD ONE:
-
Run Registry Editor.
-
To do it, press Win + R and type in the command regedit.
-
Go to the section HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ iaStorV
-
Double-click on Start element and set its value to 0 (zero).
-
In the next section, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ iaStorAV\ StartOverride set the zero value for the element 0.
-
In the section HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ storahci set the value to 0 (zero) for Start element.
-
In the subsection, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ storahci\ StartOverride set the zero value for the element 0.
In our case, there is nothing to see, but you will see it, if AHCI has not been enabled yet. -
Close Registry Editor.
-
Restart the computer and go to UEFI or BIOS. For the first time after the restart, it is better to boot Windows in safe mode.
All methods to boot Windows in safe mode:
Go to view
-
In UEFI or BIOS, find SATA settings to select the mode for memory devices. Switch them to AHCI, save settings and restart the computer.
-
After the restart, Windows will start installation of SATA drivers, and when it is over, it will ask you for another restart. Do it, and AHCI mode in Windows will be enabled.
If the first method didn’t work for some reason, is another way to to it. To begin with, if you have problems with booting Windows in AHCI mode, go back to IDE and restart the computer.
After that:
-
Launch the Command prompt as Administrator.
-
Type in the command prompt: “bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal” and press Enter.
-
After you see a message that the operation is successful, restart the computer.
-
Before booting your PC, enable AHCI in BIOS or UEFI using the method we have already described, and save the settings.
-
The computer will boot in safe mode and install all necessary drivers.
-
Launch the Command prompt as Administrator again and type in bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot.
-
After the command is executed, restart the computer again. This time, Windows should boot with AHCI enabled and without any problems.
As you can see, these actions can theoretically result in unwanted consequences such as inability to start the operating system. That is why you should do it only if you know why you do it, if you can enter BIOS or UEFI, and if you are ready to fix unforeseen consequences if anything happens. For example, you may have to reinstall Windows in AHCI mode.
If accidental or hurried actions made you reinstall your operating system and lose important data, read this article to learn how to recover them: «I Reinstalled Windows! Can I Recover My Data?».
How to Recover Data After Resetting Windows 10, Resetting a Laptop to Factory Settings 📁🔥⚕️
so i have a lenovo ideapad 330-15IKB with the intel core i3-8130 @ 2.20GHz and 8GB ram. The laptop originally came with a 1TB HDD. I just recently replaced the HDD with a hyundai 120gb SSD and am trying to get the SSD all set up and optimized so it is working to its full potential. The issue is the laptop has a broken screen so I use an HDMI cable to my tv when i use, which is honestly preferred for the way i use the laptop. I followed all the instructions on how to enable achi without going into bios and have gotten to the step where it says to close the registry and restart the laptop. It then says to enter uefi/bios and change to change a few setting in the bios screen but the problem is that when the laptop is on the bios screen it does not display the bios screen on my tv, and since the laptop screen is broken i cant see the bios screen. so i need some help on what i would need to do in this case? is there a way to make it so the laptop dipllays the bios screen on my tv through the hdmi cable or what do i need to do next? any helpful information on possible solutions would be greatly greatly appreciated!! i thank you for your time and help in advance.
I don't have a iaStorAV in registry as indicated. ???
Are you sure you did everything right? Check again if you entered the correct path
It was the 2nd method using the command prompt and “bcdedit” to restart in safe mode that worked for me. Got an older PC given to me and I was trying to update with new SSD. Was going nuts trying to get AHCI - SO THANK YOU!!!
I am running a Dell Inspiron 9010 Win10 with a 2TB internal SATA drive. Looking in BIOS under SATA settings it shows my system is set to "ATA". No setting for "IDE" is shown in list. It does have a setting box for change to "AHCI" however. I do not currently have a SSD internally but have used a SDD as an external storage device with a StarTech external HUB adaptor. I have not seen anyone saying that they have found they system showing "ATA" setting existing instead of "IDE". Should I change to "AHCI" and move away from the "ATA" setting or not . Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.9 OS Version: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, 64 bit, Build 19042, Installed 20210204072927.000000-300 Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 58 Stepping 9, CPU Count: 8 Total Physical RAM: 16 GB Graphics Card: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 Hard Drives: C: 1861 GB (1696 GB Free); F: 149 GB (40 GB Free); Motherboard: Dell Inc. 0M9KCM, ver A00, s/n /8S3HWV1/CN7220027F011Q/ System: Dell Inc., ver DELL - 1072009, s/n 8S3HWV1 Antivirus: Windows Defender, Disabled
Thanks so much!
Thanks for this. It saved my proverbial bacon. Much appeciated.
What about Windows 7 64 bit. Do you use the same method?
Hi, i used the second idea and got into safe mode and didnt see drivers being stalled as such should i see that on the screen? anyway went out and now the boot drive works in AHCI so we are making progress. Problem- i added 2 drives to sata 3+4 and it still dosent see them and i couldnt even get into Bios this time, it took some time and clicked those drives a bit and then into windows where i still cant see the extra drive and only boot drive and DVD player on 1&2 is there.
My BIOS is not having storage option (HP Pavilion G6 1301tx) , BIOS version Insyde F.66
Some notebooks have limited BIOS, it's a manufacturer restriction
I dont have storage option in my bios (bios version F.16) hp omen 15 please help i am having trouble installing mac os on ubuntu(qemu/kvm )
All notebooks have limited BIOS, it's a manufacturer restriction
It was the second method that worked for me, thanks.
We are glad that our artilce was helpful for you. If you have any questions, we will gladly answer them. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu-D9QnPsAPn7AtxL4HXLUg
Your last suggestion is the one that worked for me. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you so much for this write up. Super easy to follow and got me on AHCI without having to reinstall!
I didn't have StorAHCI on my Windows 7 system. YMMV, but, if you have it, you may also try modifying the MSAHCI/Start value to 0. I also created the StartOverride entry for IAStorV (it wasn't there, either), but I probably didn't have to.
I would like to use AHCI mode for my SSD but standard IDE for my hard disk... or at least be able to enable SMART for the hard disk... or at least have decent tools to monitor the health of the hard disk...
What if the SATA is running RAID - how do you remove RAID? Changing BIOS only does not accomplish removal.
Just tried this method and it turned my reasonably functional VAIO into a purple pumpkin that rolled over and started singing The Blue Ridge Mountains, after which it let out a plume of green smoke and croaked. Nice.
Sorry for your pain but that was hella funny.
Can AHCI mode be disabled after it has been enabled, and if so, what are the steps to do so?
Yes, AHCI mode can be disabled after it has been enabled. To do so, you will need to enter the BIOS setup of your computer and locate the AHCI setting. Depending on your computer's BIOS, you may need to change the setting from “AHCI” to “IDE” or “Legacy IDE”. Once this is done, save the changes and exit the BIOS setup. Your computer should now be running in IDE mode.
What are some other tips for optimizing SATA performance?
Is it necessary to reinstall Windows after enabling AHCI mode?
No, it is not necessary to reinstall Windows after enabling AHCI mode. However, you may need to reinstall certain drivers and update your BIOS to ensure that your system is fully compatible with AHCI mode.
What are some common issues that can occur when enabling AHCI mode?
What is the difference between IDE and AHCI mode?
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) mode is a legacy mode of hard drive communication that was used prior to the introduction of SATA. IDE mode uses a single set of commands to control both the hard drive and the interface. AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) mode is the modern standard for SATA hard drives. AHCI mode provides faster communication between the hard drive and the interface, as well as support for advanced features such as Native Command Queuing and hot-swapping.
Read how to enable AHCI Mode for SATA in BIOS without reinstalling Windows and recommend it to friends. If you do have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our technical support service - we will be happy to help you.
Hello Sir/Ma'am, I am Pankaj, my problem is did not enable AHCI mode on acer aspire 5733 after installing windows 7 and how enable Advance options, AHCI mode and UEFI on... Please tell me Sir/Ma'am.Thank you