Enabling AHCI after Installing Windows OS

Introduction There are SATA options in the BIOS for the type of disk drive installed. If the drive is a SSD, then the SATA option to ...

Introduction

There are SATA options in the BIOS for the type of disk drive installed. If the drive is a SSD, then the SATA option to choose is ACHI. (The default option is normally IDE.)
Changing to AHCI after installing a Windows OS onto a SSD will results in a non-bootable system. (Or the system will boot and not work.)

Steps (8 total)

1

In Windows 8.1, open a Command Prompt with Administrator rights

Keyboard: Press the windows key
Type in: cmd
Keyboard, press: CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER
If prompted, click on “Yes.”

2

In the cmd prompt, type in:

bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal

3

Reboot and then enter the BIOS

Normally enter the BIOS when booting up by pressing F2, F1, F10 or Delete.

4

Change the SATA drive setting to AHCI and exit the BIOS while choosing to save the settings.

Windows will boot into Safe Mode.

5

Verify Windows is in Safe Mode.

6

While in safe more, open a Command Prompt with Administrator rights.

Keyboard: Press the windows key
Type in: cmd
Keyboard, press: CTRL-SHIFT-ENTER
If prompted, click on “Yes.”

7

In the cmd prompt, type in:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

8

Reboot the computer.

Conclusion

After following these steps, a Windows OS installed on a SSD will successfully boot after enabling AHCI in the bios.