Loading...
Even with the correct f6flpy-x64-non-vmd.zip , users run into issues. Here’s how to solve them.
| Component | Meaning | |-----------|---------| | | Refers to the legacy Windows installation method: during Windows XP/7 setup, you pressed F6 to load third-party drivers. This naming convention persists in modern drivers. | | flpy | Short for "floppy". Historically, these drivers were small enough to fit on a floppy disk. Today, they are loaded via USB flash drives.| | x64 | Indicates the driver is for 64-bit versions of Windows (Windows 10/11, Server 2016/2019/2022). | | non-VMD | VMD = Volume Management Device . This is an Intel controller that allows direct control of NVMe SSDs from the PCIe bus. The “non-VMD” version is for systems where VMD is disabled in BIOS/UEFI. | | .zip | Standard compressed archive. Must be extracted before use. |
: Download the driver and extract it to your Windows installation USB. During Setup
: Ensure your processor is Intel-based. This driver will not work for AMD systems. Rapid Intel Storage Technology F6flpy-x64-non-vmd.zip
The correct choice depends entirely on your BIOS/UEFI settings. As one Intel community expert succinctly stated: "It is not irrelevant which of the two drivers you take; the UEFI setting decides" . If VMD is enabled, the NVMe SSD will be hidden behind the VMD controller, necessitating the VMD driver. If VMD is disabled or unavailable, the non-VMD driver is the appropriate choice. You can verify your system's configuration by entering the BIOS/UEFI setup during boot (typically by pressing F2, DEL, or a manufacturer-specific key) and examining the storage or VMD-related settings.
Most modern laptops and desktops (especially those with 11th Gen Intel CPUs and newer) use Intel VMD to manage NVMe storage. Without the correct driver loaded during the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, the list of available drives will appear empty.
Supports Intel chipsets from the 100 series through older 11th Gen platforms. Even with the correct f6flpy-x64-non-vmd
Intel provides two distinct versions of the F6 floppy deployment driver. Choosing the wrong one will cause the installation setup to reject the driver file. Driver File Name Storage Mode Common Use Case Standard AHCI / NVMe Single NVMe SSD setups, standard laptops, non-RAID systems. F6flpy-x64-vmd.zip Intel VMD Enabled
Most users do not need to install this manually within a working Windows environment. It is almost exclusively used for:
At the blank drive selection screen, look toward the bottom-left corner and click . Click Browse in the pop-up prompt. This naming convention persists in modern drivers
Intel 11th Generation (Tiger Lake) and newer processors introduce advanced storage routing architectures. By default, many motherboards utilize Intel VMD technology to manage NVMe Solid State Drives (SSDs). This technology enhances data management and power efficiency across PCIe lanes.
It provides the system with the necessary instructions to manage RAID volumes or enhanced SATA/NVMe performance before the full OS is installed. 3. Why You Need It
