PHN16-72 cant install windows, ssd not visible even after loading irst driver which is not working

Hello, i wanted to do clean installation of windows 11 on my laptop. For now i have arch linux installed on it because windows doesnt shows ssd drives even after loading irst driver recomended by asus website to my laptop. Pictures below:

Laptop moder after typing serial number which is correct

files which i downloaded and unpacked to another usb drive because this one with windows, was shows message not enough space but i unpacked to another drive and loaded directory with drivers and this is what windows installer shows me:

translation to english: driver is missing. please insert any dvd, cd or flash usb with driver..

the same error with both drivers

I have no idea what to do next. Dont want to send my only laptop to service and wait 2 or 3 weeks for windows installation :( any help?

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

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Sharanji

@stigman93

Since Windows isn't detecting your SSD even after loading the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver, there are a few things you can try:

Try to disable Intel VMD (Volume Management Device), which controls RAID/IRST.
Restart your laptop and enter BIOS (usually F2 or DEL during boot).
Go to the Advanced or Main tab (depending on your BIOS layout).
Look for VMD Controller or VMD Support.
Disable VMD for the storage port. Save and exit BIOS.
Then try reinstalling Windows — your SSD should now be visible without needing to load additional drivers.

If the installation media is on a USB drive, try switching to another port. Some laptops prefer certain ports during installation. When installing Windows, instead of selecting "Browse" to load the driver, choose "Let me pick from a list" and manually navigate to the correct folder where you stored the driver.
If possible, create a fresh Windows 11 installation USB using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to ensure your installation files aren't corrupted.

If your SSD is not appearing, access Command Prompt (Shift + F10 during installation) and use:
diskpart
list disk
If your SSD appears there, you can clean it using:
select disk X (replace X with the disk number)
clean
But proceed with caution—this will erase all data on the SSD.

stigman93

ok i did all the steps but nothing helps, even disabling vmd which is insane. i lose hope i can pass the installation process. Never have this problem before. Directory with irst was solving the issue or disabling vmd for example on my asus laptop but on this acer laptop i cant do that. Dont understand it. I saw one instruction with using disk part and i did it too. Very strange problem..

Sharanji

@stigman93

The ones you’ve selected VMD Controller, Optane Memory are likely not matching your chipset or SATA mode.
Switch SATA Mode from RAID/Optane to AHCI is Recommended. This is the easiest fix if you're not using RAID or Intel Optane. Enter BIOS Setup usually F2 on boot. Go to Main > SATA Mode or Storage Configuration. Change from RAID or Intel Optane to AHCI. Save and exit. Restart Windows installer — now it should detect the drive without extra drivers.
If you're doing this after Windows is already installed, it will cause a boot error unless you prep Windows for AHCI first. But you're installing fresh, so you're safe.

If you must stay in RAID mode e.g., dual-drive setup, then:
Download the correct Intel RST F6 driver for your chipset from Intel’s site:
Go here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/28221/intel-rapid-storage-technology-driver-installation-software-with-intel-optane-memory.html
Select the ZIP (not EXE) version of the driver.
Extract it to a USB stick.
Plug it into the PC and click Browse in the installer.
Select the correct .inf file under the “F6” folder. Usually inside:
<unzipped folder>\f6flpy-x64Once the installer detects the drive, continue installation.

stigman93

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1339578#Comment_1339578

where can i find zip version of it because i didnt see it

stigman93

i dont have settings to switch between raid and asci on my laptop bios

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1339583#Comment_1339583

Follow the steps below as the M.2 SSD boot drive should be recognized and you will be able to install Win-11 perfectly, btw, I've got the PHN16-71 model laptop that is a very similar previous model and Win-11 installed perfectly with the IRST driver that Acer provides in the support page for my laptop. Good luck and hope this helps you out further.

First start the Windows installation and go to the screen to select the installation location, after that perform the procedure below.

1. Press SHIFT+F10 to open the command prompt;

2. Type the commands below and at the end of each one press Enter:

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0 (Change the number 0 by the number of the disk where you want to install Windows as listed in the previous command)
clean
create partition primary
exit

3. Click Update and you will see that a new partition has been created on the disk;

4. Select the partition and proceed with Windows installation.

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

stigman93

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1339612#Comment_1339612

ok guys, problem is solved. The issue was the software which i used on linux to make bootable windows usb.. I asked friend to make bootable usb for me by using windows creation media tool and this one was working.. Sadly any of linux softwares to make bootable windows usb was not good enough

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