NVMe SSD Not Detected in Windows 7 but Works with Windows 10

[Purphoros]

This has been a rough week for me tech wise, I won't go into detail but it has not been fun.  I need help with one issue I can't solve myself:

 

I got an NVMe SSD for Christmas, but I can't seem to get it working with Windows 7.  It is partitioned and works with 10, and it shows up in the BIOS but I can't get it working in Windows 7 no matter what I do.  This has been an issue for the last 3 days and I am out of options and brain power.  If you have ideas post them please.  I'll get to this later today but now I need to go to bed.  I've also contacted Microsoft support about this, they gave me a hotfix which doesn't work, and I also sent an Email to the people who made my SSD.

 

My SSD if it matters: https://www.amazon.com/MyDigitalSSD-80mm-Express-PCIe-240GB/dp/B01M4OO1FT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514359324&sr=8-1&keywords=my+digital+ssd

Manufacturer link: http://mydigitalssd.com/

 

Thanks everyone.

[Riddler356]

huh, i didn't know win7 even had nvme support, neat.

[zombienerd]

This Link to an Amazon Question states you need the Microsoft NVME SSD Express Driver, which can be found here.

[manikyath]

nvme launch: end of 2014

windows 7 lifecycle: 2015 end of mainstream support, 2020 end of extended support.

 

need i say more?

 

i mean, you can try to fudge drivers in there, but in the end you're trying to power a steam locomotive with biodiesel.

[Purphoros]

4 minutes ago, zombienerd said:

This Link to an Amazon Question states you need the Microsoft NVME SSD Express Driver, which can be found here.

Am I dumb or something? I can't seem to find where to actually download a driver, just dev services.

[Purphoros]

4 minutes ago, manikyath said:

nvme launch: end of 2014

windows 7 lifecycle: 2015 end of mainstream support, 2020 end of extended support.

 

need i say more?

 

i mean, you can try to fudge drivers in there, but in the end you're trying to power a steam locomotive with biodiesel.

I had Windows 10, I had to give it to my brother who got a upgraded to Ryzen because all he had was 7.  Don't post a comment ridiculing me for using an OS without actually being helpful.

[zombienerd]

2 minutes ago, Purphoros said:

Am I dumb or something? I can't seem to find where to actually download a driver, just dev services.

I think I dropped the wrong link.  Let me see if I can find it again.  

 

Also, are you trying to install Win7 fresh, using it as a 2nd drive on a W7 machine, or have a running W7 image you dumped to the Nvme to try to boot from?

[Purphoros]

1 minute ago, zombienerd said:

I think I dropped the wrong link.  Let me see if I can find it again.  

 

Also, are you trying to install Win7 fresh, using it as a 2nd drive on a W7 machine, or have a running W7 image you dumped to the Nvme to try to boot from?

I was trying to install 7 onto the NVMe, but I gave up on that.  I just want to use it as another storage drive now.

[AlTech]

2 minutes ago, Purphoros said:

I had Windows 10, I had to give it to my brother who got a upgraded to Ryzen because all he had was 7.  Don't post a comment ridiculing me for using an OS without actually being helpful.

The easiest solution would be to upgrade to Windows 10 by purchasing a Windows 10 license key.

 

Windows 7 isn't meant to handle new hardware and services. It's for people who need to stay on an older version because they need support for legacy software, legacy drivers or are running mission critical applications or services.

 

My recommendation is based off the fact that you are not doing any of the above.

1 minute ago, Purphoros said:

I was trying to install 7 onto the NVMe, but I gave up on that.  I just want to use it as another storage drive now.

If you do anything with it. I'd suggest you set it as GPT instead of MBR.

[zombienerd]

To install from scratch, you should modify the W7 boot media with some files from W10 boot media to support NVME from bare metal.  It's a bit hacky, but it works.  This link.

 

To add NVME support to W7 after it's already installed /booting from a different drive, you first have to update to SP1, then install the hotfix (which may be the one you've already tried) Here  If that didn't work, I'd suggest giving the first link a try to install directly to the SSD.  

 

 

[zombienerd]

Also, you could consider a ~$20 OEM Windows 10 key from Kinguin or softwarelicense4u.  They're completely legit, but don't come with support from Microsoft, as you would be considered the "OEM" in charge of fixing the computer for the customer (also you).

[AlTech]

1 minute ago, zombienerd said:

Also, you could consider a ~$20 OEM Windows 10 key from Kinguin or softwarelicense4u.  They're completely legit, but don't come with support from Microsoft, as you would be considered the "OEM" in charge of fixing the computer for the customer (also you).

Recommending OP to purchase from a grey market which is sketchy and probably sells illegitimately purchased keys is not compliance with the Community Standards.

[Purphoros]

1 minute ago, zombienerd said:

Also, you could consider a ~$20 OEM Windows 10 key from Kinguin or softwarelicense4u.  They're completely legit, but don't come with support from Microsoft, as you would be considered the "OEM" in charge of fixing the computer for the customer (also you).

$20 and sketchy? Now that's my speed.

[AlTech]

Just now, Purphoros said:

$20 and sketchy? Now that's my speed.

Sorry OP but I cannot recommend this. Please read my reply.

 

You'll just need to buy a legitimate license from Microsoft.

[Purphoros]

Just now, AluminiumTech said:

Sorry OP but I cannot recommend this. Please read my reply.

 

You'll just need to buy a legitimate license from Microsoft.

I don't have $120 lying around.

[AlTech]

Just now, Purphoros said:

I don't have $120 lying around.

Save up until you do. Purchasing product keys which themselves were most likely purchased fraudulently using stolen credit cards is not correct.

 

Gray market websites do not sell legitimate products at substantial discounts.

[zombienerd]

3 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Recommending OP to purchase from a grey market which is sketchy and probably sells illegitimately purchased keys is not compliance with the Community Standards.

"Grey Market" and "Sketchy" are not objective terms.  They are legitimate keys.  Microsoft sells OEM keys at a much lower rate than Retail Keys.  The EULA states that they are for Original Equipment Manufacturers, and does not bar resale of said keys from 3rd parties as far as I know.  As the builder of a custom PC, you do qualify as an OEM.  They are also single-use which means if you upgrade your motherboard, they will not transfer.

More Information

[AlTech]

1 minute ago, zombienerd said:

"Grey Market" and "Sketchy" are not objective terms.  They are legitimate keys.  Microsoft sells OEM keys at a much lower rate than Retail Keys.  The EULA states that they are for Original Equipment Manufacturers, and does not bar resale of said keys from 3rd parties as far as I know.  They are also single-use which means if you upgrade your motherboard, they will not transfer.

More Information

Sorry but I'm here to tell you the truth.

 

G2A, Kinguin and other websites sell products which may be illegitimately purchased and then sold again. That is the nature of how they do business.

[zombienerd]

Just now, AluminiumTech said:

Sorry but I'm here to tell you the truth.

 

G2A, Kinguin and other websites sell products which may be illegitimately purchased and then sold again. That is the nature of how they do business.

Show me proof.  Your statements hold no credibility without some source of information that is at least purportedly legitimate.

[AlTech]

Just now, zombienerd said:

Show me proof.  Your statements hold no credibility without some source of information that is at least purportedly legitimate.

 

@GoodBytes @leadeater and others can back me up.

[Purphoros]

I don't want to get into the middle of an argument about the legality, ethics, and legitimacy of grey market key sellers.

 

Would downloading the Windows 10 ISO and running without activation work?

[zombienerd]

Just now, Purphoros said:

I don't want to get into the middle of an argument about the legality, ethics, and legitimacy of grey market key sellers.

 

Would downloading the Windows 10 ISO and running without activation work?

Yes.  You are limited from doing customization of desktop backgrounds, and a few other features are disabled, but it is mostly usable.

[AlTech]

Just now, Purphoros said:

I don't want to get into the middle of an argument about the legality, ethics, and legitimacy of grey market key sellers.

 

Would downloading the Windows 10 ISO and running without activation work?

Yes but you will have watermarks and notes to activate Windows. You can activate Windows at a later date.

[Purphoros]

Just now, zombienerd said:

Yes.  You are limited from doing customization of desktop backgrounds, and a few other features are disabled, but it is mostly usable.

Great I'll do that then.  Thanks.

[AlTech]

Just now, Purphoros said:

Great I'll do that then.  Thanks.

And don't forget to mark as solved.