I recently got a notification on my computer saying that Windows 11 support would end, prompting me to upgrade. To prepare for the upgrade, I followed Microsoft's instructions to enable secure boot, which involved switching my BIOS to UEFI mode. After making this change and restarting, I encountered a "failed auto repair" message. I realized my SSD might need to be switched to GPT format to work properly. I attempted to revert my BIOS settings to allow all operating systems instead of just UEFI, but I still received the same error. Now, when I check the BIOS, my SSD is completely missing, and I'm worried that it may be broken since it was a recent purchase. I'm not very tech-savvy and feel a bit overwhelmed, so I'm hoping for some guidance on what steps I can take to resolve this issue. Thanks in advance for any help!
5 Answers
Have you tried resetting all the BIOS settings to what they were before you made those changes? This could help get the SSD recognized again.
Are you trying to upgrade to Windows 11 by keeping all your files, or are you planning to do a fresh installation using a Windows 11 USB drive? That makes a difference in what steps to take next.
I was aiming to keep my files during the upgrade, but since most things I care about are saved on the cloud, it's not a total disaster if I lose what's on the SSD. Still, I prefer to keep whatever I can.
I cleared the CMOS as suggested, but my SSD still doesn't appear. Does that mean it's broken, or is there anything else I should try?
When I upgraded, I opted for a clean install of Windows 11 with UEFI and GPT from the start. It might be possible to convert your NVMe drive to GPT, but for simplicity’s sake, I chose the clean route.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload