Activate AHCI mode afterwards - how it works

You can only get the full performance of an SSD if you activate AHCI mode under Windows. Unfortunately, you cannot easily change the mode, otherwise the operating system will shut down. This practical tip shows you how to switch on the AHCI function and ignite the SSD turbo.

Windows 7/8: Activate AHCI function for SSD using a tool

Microsoft conveniently provides its own program with which you can retrofit AHCI mode.

1. Download the Microsoft Fixit Patch 50470 from "this link".
2. As soon as you click this, download the Microsoft Fixit Patch 50470.
3. Run the file on your computer.
4. A restore point for Windows is created so that you are covered in an emergency.
5. You can then restart the PC.
6. Windows then automatically installs the AHCI driver.
7. Finally restart your PC again and switch the SATA mode from "IDE" to "AHCI" in the BIOS menu.

Set up AHCI mode for SSDs manually in Windows

If you are familiar with working in the Windows registry, you can also activate AHCI mode later.

1. Press "Start" and enter the term "regedit" in the search.
2. Select the search result "regedit.exe" from the hit list.
3. Here you navigate to the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ services \ msahci".
4. The individual entries appear on the right.
5. To activate the AHCI mode, you must set the "Start" value to "0".
6. You can then restart the computer and switch the SATA mode from "IDE" to "AHCI" in the BIOS.

Activate AHCI mode in Windows 10

1. Open the command prompt with admin rights.
2. Enter the command "bcdedit / set {current} safeboot minimal" to start the safe mode.
3. Then restart the PC.
4. Now go into the BIOS and switch the mode from IDE to AHCI.
5. After you save the settings, Windows 10 starts in safe mode.
6. Now open the command prompt with admin rights again and deactivate the safe mode with the command "bcdedit / deletevalue {current} safeboot".
7. After that, you only have to restart the computer again and the AHCI mode is activated.