Samsung 950 Pro NVMe - Windows 7 x64 Install

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The Samsung 950 Pro is a PCI m.2 SSD that works with newer computers. The 950 pro has 4 times the speed of its bigger cousin the SATA 850 EVO. The problem is that the 950 pro has NVMe drivers which are not supported in Windows 7. This article is how I got my Samsung 950 Pro 256GB to run Windows 7.


Requirements

  • Samsung 950 Pro (256GB or 512GB model)
  • Windows 7 x64 ISO
  • Samsung NVMe F6 Drivers
  • Newer motherboard (x99, z170, etc)


Install 950 pro NVMe Windows 7

These are the steps I took in order to boot Windows 7 x64 from my NVMe 950 Pro using my ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero:


BIOS UEFI

These settings are in most newer computer's BIOS/UEFI and are required to use the 950 Pro NVMe with Windows 7. We must use UEFI mode for this.

  • Turn Secureboot off (Set to "Other OS")
  • Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module)
    • Boot Device Control: UEFI Only
    • Boot From Storage Devices: UEFI First
    • Boot from PCI-E/PCI Expansion Devices: UEFI First


Make Windows 7 ISO for Skylake and USB 3

Skylake (6th generation Intel computers) have bad support for USB 3 and Windows 7. In order to install Windows 7 on a skylake computer we need to add the USB 3 drivers to our install ISO.


ASUS Download: ASUS EZ Installer

If you are using an ASUS ROG motherboard you can just use their ASUS EZ Installer. You select a Windows 7 ISO and ASUS EZ Installer slipstreams the USB 3 drivers and makes you a new ISO that can be installed in Windows 7 on Skylake computers. This probably works on any brand motherboard that uses the Intel USB 3 controller.


Other Brands If you do not have an ASUS motherboard or if you do not use Intel USB 3 controllers, you will need to follow some other instructions to get USB 3 support during Windows 7 install. Here is a good place to start: Install Windows 7 with only USB 3 ports


NVMe Drivers

Windows 7 x64 UEFI will not recognize the 950 Pro without NVMe drivers. You will need a memory stick to put these drivers on. At the time of this article there were no official Samsung NVMe drivers on their website that can be used during Windows 7 install. These drivers came from Reddit, not exactly official, but it works. Use these during the Windows 7 install when it cannot find your NVMe 950 pro.


Conclusion

You should now be on Windows 7 x64 in UEFI mode with USB 3.0 drivers during boot, and NVMe support.

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