Hello dear readers! Today you will find out how to enable AHCI mode in Windows, and what it is in general.
The article promises to be voluminous and not useless for almost all computer users, if you don’t take into account the very pro techies :).
AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface AHCI translated from English Advanced Host Controller Interface) - mode of connecting drives using the protocol Serial ATA. This mode allows the computer to take advantage of advanced features and functions when connecting hard drives, which leads to increased performance.
Modern drives (HDD and SSD) are connected to the computer motherboard via an interface (connector) SATA(Serial ATA), which replaced the legacy interface PATA(Parallel ATA). In picture No. 1, the PATA connector is shown on the left, and the SATA connector on the right. 
displaying IDE mode and AHCI mode in device manager
The SATA interface can operate in 2 modes:
- IDE(Integrated Development Environment from English parallel interface for connecting drives) - old mode, which is used for compatibility with older software and hardware.
- AHCI(Advanced Host Controller Interface) - a new mode that expands connectivity and allows you to take full advantage of the SATA interface. For example:
- Hot-swappable hard drive, that is, the drive can be changed without turning off the computer. This feature is mainly valuable for server administrators.
- NCQ(Native Command Queuing from English - built-in command queuing) - a function that allows you to reduce the number of movements of the HDD read head, which leads to optimization of data reading speed when using the drive by several programs simultaneously.
Enabling AHCI leads to faster reading and access to data on the drive and, accordingly, increases the overall performance of the computer.
Now that we know what it is AHCI mode, then it's time to think about how to turn it on. You may already have it turned on. You can check it like this:
- Press our favorite combination of Win+R buttons on your keyboard and enter the command mmc devmgmt.msc. Then press the Enter button. Will start Windows Device Manager.
- In Windows Device Manager, expand the section IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. If you see a device that has the word AHCI in its name, then the mode we need is activated.
If you don’t see the word AHCI, it means it’s disabled. You can enable it in BIOS"e. But its inclusion may be accompanied by some problems, which I will discuss below.
Enable AHCI. Activation features and possible problems.
To enable AHCI mode and find the item there SATA Mode or something very similar to it. The name of the item may differ slightly in different versions of Bios. In this section you can switch the mode SATA from IDE V AHCI and vice versa. If you have IDE, then do not rush to switch to mode AHCI, since for it to work correctly you need a special driver Windows AHCI. In Windows 7/8/10 and Vista, this driver is built into the OS itself. When this driver is automatically installed on the system. If the system is already installed and you want to switch the SATA mode from IDE to AHCI, then you will have to dig deeper into the system registry. But I will write about this in other articles, separately for Windows 7, Windows 8 and . I recommend that you wait for these publications. Here you just need to know that you can’t just turn it on. If you simply switch the BIOS mode to AHCI, you will get a non-working OS.
On Windows XP I don’t recommend even trying to enable it, because the AHCI driver for this OS differs depending on each computer.
Read, how to determine in what mode the computer controller is operating. And, how to activate the AHCI mode of the SATA interface on a computer with Windows already installed. Many people will reasonably ask: why do we need IDE mode for a SATA drive, if the AHCI mode is its “native” mode and is the one in which the SATA drive will operate adequately for its characteristics and purpose. Moreover, many motherboard manufacturers set their PATA compatibility mode to IDE by default.
The SATA interface can operate in two modes, IDE and AHCI:
- IDE is a compatibility mode for older hardware and software. Essentially, the capabilities of SATA in this mode are no different from those of its predecessor, the ATA (or PATA) interface;
- AHCI is a new mode of working with storage devices in which the computer uses all the advantages of SATA, the main ones being: higher speed of hard drives and SSDs (Native Command Queuing or NCQ technology), as well as the ability to hot-swap hard drives. Activating AHCI mode helps speed up access to files stored on storage devices and has a positive effect on the overall performance of the computer.
Many people will reasonably ask: why do we need IDE mode for a SATA drive, if the AHCI mode is its “native” mode and is the one in which the SATA drive will operate adequately for its characteristics and purpose. Moreover, many motherboard manufacturers set their PATA compatibility mode to IDE by default.
The thing is that operating systems began to support the controller in AHCI mode starting with Vista. That is, if a disk with Windows XP is connected to a system whose controller operates in AHCI mode, the user will receive a BSOD error (“blue screen of death”). And on the other hand, any SATA drive can freely operate in IDE mode. Moreover, many users, not knowing about it, will not even feel any difference. In this way, computer manufacturers are trying to avoid possible problems with the compatibility of the computer and user software.
Another important difference between IDE and AHCI concerns how they work with SSD drives. Please note that it is not possible to install an operating system in IDE mode on an SSD; this will require AHCI activation.
How to determine in what mode the computer controller is operating?
It is likely that AHCI mode is already activated on your computer. You can check this in several ways:
Method 1
- Go to
- Open section “IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers”
- If there is a device in this section with the word “AHCI” in the name, as in our case, then the AHCI mode on the computer is already in use.
Method 2
Please note that in the BIOS of some computers there is no option to change the mode to AHCI. In this case, the problem can sometimes be solved by updating (flashing) the BIOS version.
How to activate the AHCI mode of the SATA interface on a computer with Windows already installed?
There are several ways to activate the AHCI mode of the SATA interface on a computer with Windows already installed, while maintaining its functionality:
FIRST:
If for some reason the first method did not work, also pay attention to second option. But first, if you are having errors when starting Windows in AHCI mode, return to IDE mode and turn on your computer.
After that:
As you can see, the described actions in theory can lead to undesirable consequences, such as the inability to start the operating system. Therefore, take them on only if you know why you are doing it, can access the BIOS or UEFI, and are ready to correct unforeseen consequences if something happens. For example, by reinstalling Windows from the beginning in AHCI mode.
Modern hard drives are connected to the motherboard of computer devices via the SATA interface, which allows operation, in particular, in IDE and AHCI modes. IDE is an old mode, it is necessary to ensure compatibility with outdated components and programs. The AHCI mode is also not a new development in the IT field, it appeared back in 2004, but it is a current mechanism for connecting hard drives via the SATA II and SATA III interface. AHCI has a number of advantages over IDE:
- the ability to connect more devices to the motherboard;
- operating hard drives at their highest possible speed;
- so-called “hot swapping” of hard drives, that is, disconnecting and connecting without having to turn off the computer;
- support for NCQ technology, which improves hard drive performance under multitasking conditions.
SATA mode is set in the BIOS. On modern laptops, AHCI mode is usually set by default. But new motherboards for PC builds may come with IDE mode active for hardware compatibility purposes. You can change IDE to AHCI (or vice versa) at any time in the BIOS of computers that support both modes. Not all computers support AHCI, but most do, since this mode has been around for 12 years. The minority includes rare vintage devices that were released onto the market, respectively, before the advent of AHCI. But even if the computer is less than 12 years old, if it supports AHCI, switching to this mode may still cause problems due to the lack of the appropriate setting in the outdated BIOS version. In such cases, you must first resolve the issue of updating the BIOS.
1. How to find out which mode – IDE or AHCI – is currently installed
You can find out which mode - IDE or AHCI - is currently active on your computer in Windows Device Manager. Expanding the thread:
- “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers” in Windows versions 8.1 and 10;
- "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" in Windows 7.
If your computer's hard drives are connected via AHCI mode, the list of devices will include a SATA AHCI controller.
If IDE mode is active on the computer, the list of branches will contain an entry, respectively, about the IDE controller.
An alternative way is to use the AS SSD Benchmark utility to test the speed of hard drives. If hard drives can operate in AHCI mode, but the BIOS is set to IDE, the utility will notify you of this with the red value “pciide BAD”.
If the computer is running in AHCI mode, in the utility window we will see the green value “storahci - Ok”.
These two methods will make it possible to understand which mode is currently set. But to determine whether support for AHCI mode is implemented in the BIOS, you need to enter it and find the option to enable AHCI. The selection of SATA operating modes in different BIOS versions may be located in the “Advanced” or “Main” sections. For example, in the BIOS UEFI of the Asus motherboard, this is the “Advanced” section, in it you need to enter the “SATA Configuration” subsection and expand the options for the “SATA Mode” parameter.
Another example is the BIOS AMI (V17.9) of the MSI motherboard, here everything is more complicated, and not everyone will be able to immediately figure out where the AHCI setting is. In the “Integrated Peripherals” section, you must select the “On-Chip ATA Devices” subsection, and in it – “Raid Mode”, which provides a choice of hard drive connection modes.
2. Consequences of switching to AHCI mode for Windows operation
So, you can change the IDE mode to AHCI at any time in the BIOS settings. But for Windows, such a move will not result in a slight delay at startup due to the automatic installation of the necessary drivers, as when replacing some computer components. In this case, even getting rid of the connection to computer components using the standard Windows Sysprep utility, as is the case with replacing the motherboard or processor, will not help. Changing the IDE mode to AHCI leads to serious consequences - Windows simply will not start again. As a result, we will get either a blue screen of death or a cyclic reboot of Windows with a notification that the system has not started correctly.
The fact is that IDE and AHCI modes when installing Windows are registered at the registry level. To operate hard drives in AHCI mode, a special driver is required, which is automatically installed with versions of Windows starting with Vista. Since the AHCI mode appeared later than Windows XP, the AHCI driver must first be integrated into the distribution of this version of the system, taken from the motherboard driver disk or downloaded from the Internet.
Ideally, switching to AHCI mode should be done before installing or reinstalling Windows. But there are ways to activate AHCI without having to reinstall Windows - by starting safe mode or editing the system registry. Below we will consider these methods for versions of Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.
3. Mandatory measures and procedures
In principle, any experiments with Windows can lead to undesirable results, but methods for adapting the operating system to AHCI mode must be taken with particular seriousness. Because in this case, settings that affect the system's ability to boot will be affected. It is strictly forbidden to proceed with the instructions below without having previously prepared emergency means. You must either write down or create and prepare Windows installation media. Using the latter, you can log in or, as a last resort, start the process of reinstalling Windows.
The procedure is as follows:
- Step 1 – check the AHCI enable setting in the BIOS;
- Step 2 – preparation of emergency means;
- Step 3 - depending on the chosen method, either configure the next system startup in safe mode, or edit the system registry;
- Step 4 – reboot, enter BIOS and enable AHCI mode;
- Step 5 – start the computer.
4. Windows Safe Mode
The first method is designed so that when you enter Windows Safe Mode, the AHCI driver will be installed automatically. But, unfortunately, this will not work in every case. On a running system, you need to configure the next startup in safe mode, reboot, enter the BIOS and set the AHCI mode. After starting the computer in safe mode, the AHCI driver should in theory be installed. If everything goes well, all that remains is to reboot the system in normal operation.
A universal way to enter safe mode the next time you boot Windows for all current versions of the system is to use the msconfig utility, called using the “Run” command.
5. Editing the Windows Registry
If the safe mode method does not work, you can avoid reinstalling the system by editing its registry. To launch the Registry Editor, in the “Run” command field, enter:
4.1 Editing the registry Windows 8.1 and 10
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
In this branch, look for the “iaStorV” folder, click on it, open the “Start” parameter and set its value to “0”. Click "Ok".
Expand the “iaStorV” folder, select the “StartOverride” subfolder, open the “0” parameter and set its value to “0”. Click "Ok".
We go down alphabetically and find the “storahci” folder. Click on it and open the “ErrorControl” parameter. We remove the preset value “3” and enter “0” instead. Click "Ok".
4.2. Editing the Windows 7 registry
In the Registry Editor window, expand the branch:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services
In the branch we find the “iaStorV” folder, click on it, open the “Start” parameter and set the value to “0”. Click "Ok".
After editing the registry, reboot the computer, go into the BIOS, activate the AHCI mode and start the system.
6. If Windows won't boot
If none of the methods helped adapt Windows to work in AHCI mode, the system will have to be reinstalled. But the current Windows can be started if, for example, you need to remove the settings of installed software or save some important files stored on drive C in a safe place. To do this, you need to enter the BIOS again and set the active IDE mode setting back.
However, it may also happen that the system will not be able to boot in either AHCI or IDE mode. If there is no blue screen of death, but versions of Windows 8.1 and 10 reboot cyclically, giving a screen that says “Automatic recovery,” click “Advanced options.”
Going to the “Select Action” menu, follow the path indicated in the screenshot below and roll back to the restore point.
If a blue screen of death appears when you start your computer, boot from the Windows installation media and at the system installation stage, select the “System Restore” option at the bottom.
Once in the “Select Action” menu, we follow the steps described above.
Those who choose the backup method using third-party software use the bootable media of the backup program.
Have a great day!
It is quite natural that owners of desktop computing systems and laptops strive in one way or another to increase their performance. To solve this problem, some use the so-called overclocking (overclocking) of components, while others make adjustments through the capabilities provided by the developers. When choosing any method, it is important to understand what exactly you want to get and to have a good understanding of the features of the chosen method.
"Bottleneck"
It is known that one of the slowest components of a modern computing system is based on a classical spindle system. Today, SSD analogues have appeared, but they have not yet become widespread due to their too high cost.
Therefore, regular HDDs are installed on almost every computer. The result is that DDR3 memory easily transfers 20,000 MB/s; The internal CPU bus allows you to process ten times more data; and a hard drive with the SATA-3 standard only “accelerates” to a real 100 megabytes per second under ideal conditions. It is no coincidence that it is recommended to use high-performance SSD models, at least for system files. From all of the above, a simple conclusion follows: it is the HDD that slows down the modern system, thereby being a “bottleneck”. And since the user can easily make changes to the way the disk subsystem processes commands, affecting speed to a certain extent, you can often hear the question of which mode is better: AHCI or IDE.
Standards
The interaction of the disk with other components of the computer system occurs through a special control controller. This chip serves as a kind of command translator, converter. Until recently, the only “language” understood by the controller was the IDE protocol.
It originated at the dawn of the computer industry and has been modernized several times. With the advent of high-speed SATA drives, a radical reworking of the protocol was required. This is how it arose to easily cope with the increased data flow (interface), supports the fashionable NCQ command queue and implements the ability to turn off the device “on the fly”. So what is AHCI? IDE with some new features added. Everything is so simple at first glance.
Opportunities and prospects
Since the standards are backward compatible (SATA devices work perfectly using the IDE protocol), the BIOS or its equivalent almost always contains an item that allows you to select the desired mode.
In many cases, this is the only way to ensure normal computer performance. The mode selection function is present only in the software of those motherboards that support SATA. These are all modern systems. However, hybrid solutions can also be attributed here, allowing you to connect both classic IDE devices (PATA, wide connector comb) and SATA (compact connector). So, AHCI or IDE? What's better? To make it easier to understand this, here is a list of “bonuses” that a user receives by activating a more modern mode:
1. via internal electronic circuits “disk controller - board controller” reaches from 1.5 Gb/s (gigabit) for modification SATA-1 to 6 in the third revision. Let us remember that UDMA-6, in which old hard drives can work, provides only 133 Mbit/s.
2. When talking about which is better - AHCI or IDE, one cannot fail to mention support for NCQ technology. Its essence lies in the fact that the hard drive can “interfere” with the command flow queue, rearranging them to improve operating efficiency.
3. Possibility of “hot” replacement of the device, which does not require shutting down the entire system.
4. Parallel access to all disks at once, without using alternate switching.
Here is a very tempting list of possibilities. No wonder the question is: “AHCI or IDE: which is better?” is perhaps one of the most painful. Many computer owners, surprisingly, still believe in the “magic button”.
Theory and practice
So, after all, AHCI or IDE - which is better? From the above list we can conclude that the outdated protocol is significantly inferior to the new one. However, this is not quite true. Let's consider this point in more detail. Yes, indeed, the data transfer speed has increased tenfold, but the magnetic disks in hard drives both rotated at a speed of 7200 revolutions (the most popular solution) and still rotate. Accordingly, no revolutionary breakthroughs occurred in the reading process. The user will not see 6 Gbit transfer in any HDD test. Even 200 Mbit is unattainable! The exception is solid state drives. If there is such a device in the system, then you don’t have to deal with the question: “AHCI or IDE: which is better?”, but immediately activate the updated protocol. However, as we pointed out, due to cost, such drives have not yet become widespread.
Very often in debates about whether AHCI or IDE is better, the main argument in favor of the former is the protocol's ability to support NCQ. Indeed, when several programs are actively accessing the hard drive at once, this function allows you to rearrange the flow of requests in the most optimal way. However, on an average computer, more than two or three programs rarely access the disk at the same time, so it is impossible to talk about a complete lack of acceleration, but it is obtained within the margin of error.
IDE or AHCI - which is better? Windows 7, when the latter mode is activated, supports connecting/disconnecting a SATA device on the fly. Quite convenient, especially in server systems where shutdown is undesirable. However, to use “hot swap” it is recommended to use not internal connectors, but SATA modifications routed to the case.
And finally, the protocol allows several hard drives on the bus to work simultaneously, rather than waiting for requests. It is in this case that the potential of NCQ is fully revealed. Not relevant for the average computer.
As a result, it turns out that although the AHCI protocol is more interesting from a technological point of view, nevertheless, the majority of users will receive nothing but moral satisfaction from its inclusion. There are only two exceptions to the general rule: a server system and the use of an SSD.
Nuances of use
Although you can switch modes in the BIOS in a few seconds, there is one important point to consider. It is as follows: if the operating system was installed, for example, with AHCI, then after transferring to IDE, loading may not be possible. This is not a rule, but most often this is how things happen. Therefore, even before installing the distribution, you need to decide which disk subsystem protocol you plan to work with.
AHCI driver packages began to be integrated into the system only with Vista. All previous solutions from Microsoft do not have built-in support, so you need to either use “assemblies” or prepare media with the appropriate driver before installation. Windows 7 works fine with the new standard. Switching SATA from IDE mode to AHCI must be done from the BIOS (Configure SATA item). In very rare cases, changes to the registry may be required.
Switching method
In order to get into the BIOS, immediately after turning on the computer system, you need to press the Delete button (personal computers) or F2 (laptops) several times in a row. Depending on the implementation, the required item may be located in any sections. For example, to activate it, you may need to switch Boot Mode to CSM instead of UEFI, after which Compatible (IDE) and AHCI appear. The item you are looking for may be in the SATA Enhanced section. You need to carefully review the entire existing list. After switching, press ESC and agree to save the changes.
Results
The decision about which protocol to choose depends on several factors. First of all, it depends on the operating system used. From compatibility at the “hardware” level. And of course from the load on the subsystem. The higher it is, the more preferable AHCI is. If we analyze all the reviews, we can say that both protocols work great, without causing any failures when configured correctly. However, it makes more sense to use the updated version. This is, so to speak, a foundation “for the future,” for example, for the purchase of an SSD.
Greetings everyone, today we’ll look at how you can enable Windows 10 boot using the protocol AHCI without reinstalling the operating system. How to enable AHCI mode in Windows 10 after installing the system, if for some reason reinstallation with AHCI mode previously enabled in the BIOS or UEFI is not possible, and the system was installed in IDE mode. I note that for almost all modern computers with a pre-installed OS, this mode is already enabled, and the change itself is especially relevant for SSD drives and laptops, since the AHCI mode allows you to increase SSD performance and, at the same time (albeit slightly) reduce power consumption.
On my PC, like many users, the Windows 10 operating system is installed on an SSD, and all files are stored on an HDD hard drive. When installing from a flash drive cut from the official image of Windows 10 with the Creators Update, for some reason it was not possible to install immediately in AHCI mode and had to be installed using the standard IDE. As a result, the speed of the SSD in the test is 100 units lower than stated, the HDD with files buzzes annoyingly.
Immediately after switching, the benefits are noticeable:
- HDD is noticeably quieter;
- The SSD gives full speed, if with IDE it gave 425 and 445, then with AHCI it gives full speed 514 and 548.
Now a little what it is...
(AHCI)
Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) - a mechanism used to connect storage devices using the Serial ATA protocol, allowing for advanced features such as built-in command queuing (NCQ) and hot swapping.
Designed to replace the outdated classic ATA controller, which maintains top-down compatibility with the original IBM PC/AT, and supports direct memory access only as an addition. The main real problems of this controller are the lack of hot swap support (despite the fact that eSATA hardware supports it) and command queues on one channel (in the case of SATA, each device has one channel) - only one command can be executed at a time. Thus, using the ATA NCQ feature, even if it is supported by the disk itself, is impossible on a classic ATA controller.
When switching, with Windows OS already installed, the ATA controller included in the south bridge to the “AHCI” mode, this will mean, for the installed operating system, the use of incompatible operating logic of the hard drive controller - this action is equivalent to installing an ATA controller into the board system that is different from the existing one, and physically switching the boot disk to this board.
And one more detail: in theory, the described actions can also lead to undesirable consequences, such as the inability to start the OS; in this case, Windows will not find the boot disk upon boot and will crash with a BSOD STOP 0x0000007B, INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE.. Therefore, take them on only if you know why you are doing it, know how to get into the BIOS or UEFI and are ready, if anything happens, to correct unforeseen consequences (for example, by reinstalling Windows 10 from the very beginning in AHCI mode).
You can find out whether AHCI mode is currently enabled by looking at the UEFI or BIOS settings (in the SATA device parameters) or directly in the OS.
Well, now let's get down to business...
Enable AHCI using Windows 10 Registry Editor
It seems to me that this is the simplest, and most importantly trouble-free method.
To launch the registry, press the Win+R keys on your keyboard and enter regedit.
1. Go to the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ iaStorV, double click on the parameter Start and set its value to 0 (zero).
2. In the next registry section HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ iaStorAV\ StartOverride for a parameter named 0 set the value to zero.
3. In the section HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ storahci for parameter Start set the value to 0 (zero).
4. In subsection HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ storahci\ StartOverride for a parameter named 0 set the value to zero.
5. Close Registry Editor.
In my case, the values needed to be changed only in steps 2 and 4.
Restart your computer and enter UEFI or BIOS. In UEFI or BIOS, find the choice of drive operating mode in the SATA parameters. Set it to AHCI, then save the settings and restart your computer.
Immediately after the reboot, the OS will begin installing SATA drivers, and upon completion you will be prompted to restart your computer. Do this: AHCI mode in Windows 10 is enabled. But I would like to immediately note that for many boards the driver is already in the OS and the system will not load it or install it in the usual way; after a reboot, the desired AHCI is immediately turned on.
In 95% of cases everything goes smoothly and without a hitch, but it’s still better to play it safe. To do this, do the following:
At the same time, it is better to start Windows 10 for the first time after a reboot in safe mode, and therefore I recommend enabling safe mode in advance using Win + R -
If you have UEFI, in this case I recommend doing this through “Settings” (Win + I) - “Update and Security” - “Recovery” - “Special boot options”. Then go to “Troubleshooting” - “Advanced options” - “UEFI Software Settings”. For systems with BIOS - use the F2 key (usually on laptops) or Delete (on a PC) to enter the BIOS settings.
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