Are you trying to install Windows 10 from a bootable flash drive to a laptop, but at the disk selection stage the system displays the message: "The required drivers for the media could not be found. Click the "Browse" button and specify the folder with the driver". This error is one of the most common during a clean OS installation, especially on modern devices with UEFI, NVMe drives or non-standard controllers. In 80% of cases, the problem is solved without contacting a service center, but requires an accurate understanding of the reasons.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons errors - from the banal lack of drivers for SATA/AHCI-controller before conflicts with Secure Boot or incorrect recording of the image to the flash drive. You'll learn how to determine which driver is missing, where to download it (including official sources for Lenovo, HP, Dell, Asus and other brands), and how to integrate it into Windows Installer. We will separately consider the nuances for laptops with Optane Memory, RAID arrays and hybrid hard drives.

Why doesn't Windows 10 find drivers when installing from a USB flash drive?

The error occurs when Windows Installer fails to recognize hard drive controller (or another drive) due to the lack of appropriate drivers in its basic set. This is typical for:

  • 🔹 New laptops (2020 and newer) from NVMe drives or controllers Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology).
  • 🔹 Devices with RAID configuration (even if one disk is physically installed).
  • 🔹 Laptops with Optane Memory (caching technology Intel).
  • 🔹 Systems where in BIOS/UEFI mode enabled RAID instead of AHCI.
  • 🔹 Flash drives recorded with errors (for example, through Rufus in mode MBR for UEFI-systems).

Key Feature: Error Appears only at the disk selection stage. If the installer does not see the flash drive itself (does not boot from it), the problem is different - for example, incorrect configuration Boot Menu or a damaged Windows image.

📊 What brand is your laptop?
  • Lenovo
  • HP
  • Dell
  • Asus
  • Acer
  • MSI
  • Other

How to determine which driver is missing?

Before looking for a driver, you need to understand which component does it concern?. To do this:

  1. At the error stage, click Shift + F10to open command line.
  2. Enter the command: 
    diskpart

    list disk

    If the list of drives is empty, the problem is SATA/AHCI/RAID controller.

  3. Check the controller model via msinfo32 (if the system is partially loaded) or in Device Manager different OS.

For most laptops, just download the driver chipset or Storage Controller from the manufacturer's website. For example:

Laptop brandDriver typeWhere to look
LenovoIntel RST or AHCIOfficial website → Section "Drivers" → Enter model
HPSATA ControllerSupport HP → "Software and drivers"
DellIntel VMD or NVMeDell Support → "Drivers and downloads"
AsusChipset or StorageAsus Support → Enter serial number
💡

If in diskpart the disks are displayed, but the installer does not see them - the problem is partition table format. Try converting the disk to GPT through diskpart (command convert gpt).

Ways to solve the error “Could not find drivers”

Let's consider all working methods, from the simplest to the most complex. Start with the first point and move on to the next if the problem is not solved.

1. Changing the SATA mode in BIOS/UEFI

The fastest solution is to change the controller operating mode from RAID on AHCI:

  • 🔹 Reboot your laptop and log in BIOS/UEFI (usually the key F2, Del or Esc).
  • 🔹 Find the section Storage, SATA Mode or Advanced → PCH Storage Configuration.
  • 🔹 Change the value from RAID/Intel RST on AHCI.
  • 🔹 Save changes (F10) and reboot.
What if there is no AHCI option in the BIOS?

On some laptops (eg Dell XPS or HP Spectre) option is hidden. In this case:

1. Turn on RAID (if it is disabled).

2. Install Windows in this mode.

3. After installation, change the mode to AHCI via the registry (before installing the driver Intel RST).

2. Driver integration into Windows Installer

If changing the mode does not help, you need add driver manually:

  1. Download the driver for your laptop model (see table above). Typically this is a file with the extension .inf or .exe (it needs to be unpacked).
  2. At the error stage, click Review and specify the folder with the driver (for example, Intel_RST\Drivers\Win10\x64).
  3. If the driver does not work, try the version for Windows 8.1 (it is often compatible).

Download the driver from the official website|Unpack the archive (if it is an .exe)|Find the folder with the .inf file|Connect the flash drive with the driver to the laptop-->

3. Rewriting a bootable USB flash drive

The error may occur due to wrong flash drive format. Rewrite it with:

  • 🔹 Rufus (mode GPT for UEFI).
  • 🔹 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft (automatically selects the correct settings).
  • 🔹 Ventoy (if you need to test several images).

For laptops with Secure Boot be sure to disable this option in BIOS, if the flash drive is written in mode Legacy.

💡

If the laptop is new (2022-2026), use the Windows 10 version image 22H2 or newer - it already has basic drivers for most NVMe controllers.

Solution for laptops with Intel Optane Memory

Technology Intel Optane (cache memory for HDD/SSD) often causes an error. There are two options here:

  1. Disable Optane in BIOS:
    • 🔹 Go to BIOS → Advanced → VMD Controller.
    • 🔹 Install Disabled for Intel Optane.
    • 🔹 Save the settings and reboot.
  • Install Intel RST Driver with Optane:

    Download the package Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) with Optane from the site Intel or laptop manufacturer. At the error stage, specify the folder with the driver (usually F6\Drivers).

    • ⚠️ Attention: Shutdown Optane may reduce the performance of hybrid systems (HDD + Optane). After installing Windows, the driver can be returned, but you will need to reconfigure the cache via Intel Optane Memory Application.

    What to do if none of the methods helped?

    If all of the above methods did not work, the problem may be:

    • 🔹 Hardware incompatibility (For example, NVMe drive is not supported by the installation image).
    • 🔹 Damaged ISO image Windows 10 (download it again from official website).
    • 🔹 Conflict with UEFI (try disabling Secure Boot and turn on Legacy Support).
    • 🔹 Problems with the flash drive or USB port (check on another device).

    Last resort - installing Windows in Legacy mode (CSM):

    1. Sign in BIOS and turn it on CSM (Compatibility Support Module).
    2. Rewrite the flash drive in MBR for BIOS or UEFI-CSM (in Rufus).
    3. Install Windows. After installation, return the settings BIOS to its original state.
    ⚠️ Attention: Installation in mode Legacy on modern laptops with UEFI may cause problems with the bootloader. Use this method only if other options have been exhausted.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about driver errors

    Is it possible to install Windows 10 without drivers if the laptop does not see them?

    Yes, but only if the problem is in the mode RAID. Switch to AHCI in BIOS - this will allow you to do without additional drivers in 90% of cases. If the laptop requires a driver for NVMe or Optane, without its integration installation is impossible.

    Where can I get the driver if it is not on the manufacturer’s website?

    Try the following sources (in order of reliability):

    1. Manufacturer's official website motherboard (if the laptop is collapsible).
    2. Website Intel (for chipsets and controllers): downloadcenter.intel.com.
    3. Driver database Snappy Driver Installer (offline utility).
    4. Forum NotebookReview or Reddit (search by laptop model).

    ⚠️ Avoid third-party sites like driverpack.io — they often distribute malware.

    Why does the error only appear on Windows 10, but Windows 11 installs normally?

    Windows 11 has a newer set of basic drivers, including support for modern NVMe controllers (For example, Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850). If your laptop was released after 2020, try:

    • 🔹 Install Windows 11 and then downgrade to 10 (via a clean install).
    • 🔹Use Windows 10 image 22H2 - it contains updated drivers.
    Is it possible to update drivers after installing Windows in AHCI mode?

    Yes, but there is a nuance: if you installed Windows in AHCIand then turned it on RAID or Optane in BIOS, the system will not boot. To avoid this:

    1. Install all drivers (including Intel RST) in mode AHCI.
    2. Reboot and change the mode to RAID.
    3. If Windows won't boot, go back to AHCI and update your drivers via Device Manager (select driver manually).
    What should I do if, after changing the SATA mode, Windows stops booting?

    This occurs due to incompatibility between the bootloader and drivers. Solutions:

    • 🔹 Return the previous mode to BIOS.
    • 🔹 Boot from LiveCD (For example, Hiren’s BootCD) and manually replace the driver storahci.sys on iaStorV.sys (for RAID).
    • 🔹 Reinstall Windows with the correct settings.