To make the Samsung 950 PRO show up, you’ll need to select the option to INSTALL DRIVER, and then Browse to the USB with Intel RST driver files (created in Step 4) and select the folder with the driver files. If you disconnected original 1TB HDD then you won’t see any drives available to install windows. Select the USB with Windows OS and press Enter to start installation processĩ. When the installation process asks you to select where to install Windows 10, Samsung 950 Pro SSD partitions will likely not be listed. Turn laptop ON while continuously pressing F12 key for Boot Options.Ĩ. In Boot Options, under UEFI Options you should see both of your USBs listed (or atleast the USB with Windows OS). I recommend unplugging the original 1TB HDD before starting installaion.ħ. Plug in the Windows OS USB created in Step 3, and Intel RST usb created in Step 4. Make sure you’ve backed up any personal files from the original drive before continuing. Exit without saving if you BIOS settings match the above defaultsĦ. Now you’re almost ready to install windows on the 950 pro.Under BOOT: Boot List Option:, Load Legacy Option ROM:, and Boot Option Priority has #1 as Windows Boot Manager.
Under SECURITY tab: Secure Boot Mode:.Then Select Samsung 950 PRO to confirm that that SSD Constroller Type is NVMe and Controller Interface is PCIe.
Save the unzipped folder on a separate USB (not the USB with Windows 10 OS). Make sure one of the files in the folder is ‘iaStorAC.ing’. Here is the link to download the latest RST driver: Ĥa) Use above link to download f6flpy-圆4.zip folder which contains 5-6 small files.Ĥb) Unzip the folder. To get Windows to recognize your Samsung 950 PRO SSD during installation you must have the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) RAID Driver files during installation.
3a) Using this Media Creation Tool will ask you to pick from 2 options: A) Upgrade this PC now, or B) Create installation media for another PC.Find with google or use this Microsoft Canada link to download: Create Windows Installation USB using Microsoft Media Creation tool. I took the screw from my old Studio XPS laptop used to hold down wireless bluetooth card.ģ. It is smaller than the screw used to install 2.5” SSD or HDDs in laptops.
This screw is commonly used in laptops to install wireless cards. The screw needed to install the M.2 SSD is CM2x3-3.3.So for faster read/write speeds use slot#1. Other forums say that slot #1 has x4 lanes but slot #2 has only x2.Install Samsung 950 PRO (NVMe) drive in the laptop in the Slot #1 labeled “NGFF SSD1”. Install latest BIOS from Dell/Alienware Support websiteĢ. Following steps worked for me to clean install Windows 10 on Samsung Pro 950 NVMe SSD on Alienware 17 R3.Ĭritical step was step 4 to ensure you have the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (Intel RST) RAID Driver files handy or your nvme drive might not be recognized by windows installation.ġ.