How to Enable Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) in Windows 7?


AHCI is a specification that defines a system memory structure to exchange data between host system memory and other attached storage devices like hard drives. It enables native command queuing along with hot-plugging via SATA host controllers for the hard drives attached to the system. You may have to enable AHCI first via registry editor if you change the SATA mode of the boot drive.

You can accomplish this in the following way:

1) Open Registry Editor and expand the location

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ Msahci in the left pane



Figure 1


2) Double click the Start key value in the right pane

3) Type 0 in the textbox and press OK button



Figure 2


4) Restart your PC and then boot to BIOS and enable AHCI there

5) Then after booting to the system you will see that the AHCI drivers are installed

6) You will again have to restart your PC to complete the drivers installation


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