i think i need to try installing Windows 10 when BIOS mode is set to RAID. then see if RST installs. i'll try to install the latest version but check the read me file that it shows supports my system. i have a 2nd hard drive i can install a Windows on but currently it has Windows 10 v1703/RS3.
You can try download these drivers, extract it and update it from Device Manager.
Yes if your OS is already set up as AHCI it won't boot RAID, in order to run the SSD In RAID mode you need to clean Install your OS, The RAID driver goes in before you complete the Clean Install.
You would also have to use Diskpart to clean your SSD, You would do that by beginning to install windows in UEFI Mode, then hit the SHIFT + F10 that brings up a command prompt use diskpart to clean and convert to GPT your SSD.
The RST driver that you need is the F6flp-X64.zip from Intel site its intended ot be unziped on a floppy in the old days now we just put it on a USB chip. Once you exit CMD and are back install you won't see your SSD, but there will be a link to load a driver click that link and point it to that RST unzipped driver on your USB chip and boom there is your SSD to install windows on.
IMHO Whether your use RST driver or AHCI NVME driver makes no real-world difference other than Samsung Magician cannot see through the RST driver to see your SSD. Performance is the same no difference. Same with NVME drivers Windows Native NVME is just as good and the Samsung one you will notice no differences. The only advantage of Magician is firmware updates which are an issue these days so whatever you do don't update the Firmware See another thread this forum or the Samsung forums. Samsung SSD Firmware Warning - Re: Magician Downloads - Windows 10 Forums
the latest F6 zip file on the intel site has under platforms supported "7th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family Platform I/O SATA AHCI/RAID Controller". thats my processor so it should work?
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