Install Windows on M.2

[Krytern]

Hello. In a few days I will be ordering new PC parts including a M.2 drive (PCI-E x2 NVMe). Both the motherboard and M.2 SSD will be linked below. I have read that you need to do different things to make Windows installation detect the M.2 SSD and for Windows to boot properly. I plan on installing Windows 10 using a external HDD. I've already used Windows Media Creation Tool to download Windows 10 setup onto the external HDD ready but what else do I need to do to make Windows 10 install and boot correctly?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/gigabyte-z170-gaming-k3-intel-z170-socket-1151-ddr4-atx-motherboard-mb-541-gi.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/samsung-sm951-512gb-m.2-pci-e-3.0-x-4-nvme-solid-state-drive-mzvpv512hdgl-00000-hd-214-sa.html

[rmurad38]

I believe with a Z170 chipset you will be all set. I personally just did the same thing on my latest build. My motherboard and SSD are similar to yours and I share the same chipset (Z170) in my case, I made my windows installer on a USB drive, started the machine and it just found the drive and installed. I should probably mention that i left my other SATA backup drive unplugged at this time (no reason, I just hadnt installed it yet) having just the single M.2 drive visible might be helpful.

[Sovek]

Skylake with Windows 10 should be fine. Windows 7 OTOH could take some work.

[Krytern]

That's good to know, thanks! Can't wait to finally get me upgrade in hardware so I can enjoy PC gaming again.

[Krytern]

There all the parts ordered, building a whole new computer with that super fast SSD I linked and a i7-6700k with a GTX 1070. Do you think I'll be playing my PS4 less once this is built?

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, Krytern said:

There all the parts ordered, building a whole new computer with that super fast SSD I linked and a i7-6700k with a GTX 1070. Do you think I'll be playing my PS4 less once this is built?

You sure that's the motherboard you wanted? I'm not trying to change your mind im just asking

[Krytern]

Just now, Endrivia said:

You sure that's the motherboard you wanted? I'm not trying to change your mind im just asking

I don't need a motherboard with a ton of features. I just need one PCI-E x16 slot for the graphics card, one M.2 slot that supports PCI-e x4 and 4 USB ports. That's all I need out of a motherboard and I don't really plan on overclocking so I thought that would be a good alternative for a decent price.