Users often search for this specific .zip file because Intel has recently shifted toward distributing drivers as .exe installers (SetupRST.exe), which cannot be easily used during a Windows installation without manual extraction. Drive detection during Windows 10/11 Setup Format ZIP (Contains .inf , .sys , and .cat driver files) Typical Target Intel 11th Gen+ Core Processors (Tiger Lake and newer) Source Intel Support or Dell Support Common Troubleshooting Steps
: Once the driver loads, your NVMe SSD should instantly appear in the list, allowing you to create partitions and continue the installation. Alternative Solution: BIOS Tweak
Precautions
Understanding the F6flpy-x64-Intel VMD Driver The file is a critical standalone driver package used during the installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11 on modern Intel-based systems. If you are attempting a clean install on a device with an 11th Gen Intel processor or newer, you may encounter a screen that says, "We couldn't find any drives". This happens because the Windows installation media does not natively include the Intel Volume Management Device (VMD) drivers required to "see" your NVMe SSD. Why You Need This Driver F6flpy-x64-intel Vmd-.zip
F6flpy-x64-Intel-VMD.zip is the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver package specifically designed for 64-bit Windows installations on modern Intel platforms. It is most commonly used as a "pre-install" driver to resolve the "missing drive" issue encountered during Windows 10 or 11 setup on laptops and desktops using 11th Gen (Tiger Lake) or newer Intel processors. Why You Need This File Modern Intel CPUs utilize Intel Volume Management Device (VMD)
You cannot use the ZIP file directly during installation; you must extract it first.
Download the (or the extracted files from step 1). Users often search for this specific
This article explains everything you need to know about this driver: what it is, why you need it, how to use it, and what to do now that Intel has changed its download policy.
Alternatively, you can enter your system BIOS (usually F2, F12, or Delete upon startup), find the "Storage" or "VMD" setting, and set it to "Disabled" . This will make the drive visible without drivers, but it may disable advanced RAID/management features.
It allows users to combine multiple NVMe drives into bootable RAID arrays without requiring an expensive, dedicated hardware RAID card. If you are attempting a clean install on
Copy the extracted folder onto the you are using to install Windows. You can place it in the root directory. 4. Load the Driver during Windows Setup
The installation process will install the driver, and your NVMe SSD drives will now appear in the list. Continue with the Windows installation as normal. What if I Can't Find the Zip File? (SetupRST.exe Issue)