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How to install Intel RST VMD Controller Driver?

Lol Mamaie 0 Reputation points
2026-05-25T05:48:22.06+00:00

How do i install Intel RST VMD drivers,as im switching to linux from windows. If i install it says no new drivers installed and that is a problem. I need help how do i fix it!!! (Windows 10)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers
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  1. DaveM121 883.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-05-25T06:23:38.7633333+00:00

    If you are switching from Windows 10 to Linux, you need to Linux from a bootable USB and at the start of the process, delete all partitions on the drive to remove the Windows instllation.

    You do not need the Intel RST VMD drivers, Intel do not provide drivers for Linux, if you are seeing an error about Intel VMD when you install Linux, boot into BIOS, there may be a setting in there to toggle on/off Intel VMD.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-25T05:48:40.7133333+00:00

    Intel RST VMD (Volume Management Device) is a storage controller driver that’s required only for Windows to see and boot from VMD‑managed NVMe/SATA devices. Linux distributions typically include native VMD/Intel RST support in their kernels and don’t use the Windows Intel RST driver packages.

    For the Windows 10 side (before or during migration):

    1. Make sure a compatible Intel RST driver is installed if Windows is still in use and the storage controller is set to VMD/RAID in firmware.
    2. If Windows Update or the OEM tools don’t provide a newer driver, download the correct Intel RST package from the system or motherboard vendor or from Intel, then install it in Windows. If the installer reports “no new drivers installed,” it usually means the currently installed version is equal or newer, or the controller mode doesn’t match the package.

    For switching to Linux:

    1. Most modern Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.) already include the necessary VMD/Intel RST support in the kernel; no separate “Intel RST VMD driver” installation is required.
    2. If Linux can’t see the disk when the controller is in VMD/RAID mode, one of the standard approaches is:
      • Change the storage mode in firmware/BIOS from RAID/VMD to AHCI (this can break an existing Windows installation, so back up data first), or
      • Use a Linux distribution and kernel that explicitly supports VMD on the given platform.

    If the goal is only to complete a Windows 10 feature update (for example, to version 1903) before moving to Linux, ensure that the Intel RST driver version is not in the incompatible range:

    • Versions 15.1.0.1002 through 15.5.2.1053 block installation of Windows 10, version 1903.
    • Versions 15.5.2.1054 or later are compatible; 15.9.8.1050 is the recommended version for affected devices.

    After updating to a compatible Intel RST version in Windows, the feature update can proceed, and Linux can then be installed as usual on the target disk.

    References:

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