


This will require making some changes via Regedit then entering your BIOS after rebooting and switching to ACHI mode. It is possible to enable AHCI mode on a current Windows 7 install in IDE mode if you don’t wish to do a fresh install. The PC will fail to boot if you install in IDE mode and later try to change it to AHCI, forcing you to format and reinstall windows in the correct mode. Reminder: This step must be completed before installing the OS. AHCI is supported in Vista and all Windows operating systems released after it. Once AHCI is selected it will enable hot swapping and native command queuing, which should give you a nice performance boost of 10-15 percent over IDE mode. IDE is typically the default option used when installing a normal HDD, so if making the switch this will need to be changed. If your BIOS is already setup for AHCI don’t touch a thing. Older systems may not have this option, but most newer motherboards will support AHCI.

IDE vs AHCI Modeīefore installing Windows on a new SSD, you should first enter your motherboard’s BIOS and enable AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) mode instead of IDE in the SATA controller’s configuration area if given the option (this would also be a good time to update the BIOS firmware before installing Windows). Proceed with caution and at your own risk. will not be responsible should you make any mistakes that cause damage to your Windows installation. All these new Solid State Drives replacing traditional platter based HDDs for everyday use will need to be optimized, and most users are probably not aware of the differences in setup procedures and regular maintenance for SSDs vs HDDs.ĭisclaimer: This guide deals with making changes to the Windows Registry and other advanced system settings. It’s now common to find mid-range notebooks and desktop PCs with a decently sized SSD. Capacities of Solid State Drives are steadily rising, while prices continue to fall.
