Cannot start Windows from the M.2 storage connected through the U.2 port adapter.
Cannot start Windows from the M.2 storage connected through the U.2 port adapter.
I'm converting my old gaming setup into a home theatre PC. The specs include a Maximus Impact VIII i7 7700 GTX1070 and a motherboard with a U.2 port, which is much quicker than the SATA connections. I purchased adapters to connect an M.2 drive: links provided for purchase. After installing a 500GB Crucial P3, it worked well on the current rig—performing roughly five times faster than the existing SATA drives. The Windows installation from USB went through without issues; the drive appears in boot options and is prioritized, though I experienced restarts during setup. Sometimes I unplug the USB to test if the boot order was interfering. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Many older motherboards aren’t compatible with NVMe booting. Given this model uses an U.2 interface and is from 2015, it likely doesn’t support installing a bootable drive there. You might prefer my approach, but consider setting up Linux on a SATA SSD instead. This way, a bootloader like GRUB or Systemd-boot can recognize Windows and load it automatically. Having Linux installed isn’t problematic—it just adds another OS option if needed. Since I find many current recommendations confusing, I’m sharing what works for me: [EndevorOS](https://endeavouros.com/). It’s Arch-based (essentially Arch with a user-friendly installer) and avoids the latest trends like atomization or turning your PC into a Steam Deck. It’s reliable but a bit more advanced. For help, check the Arch Wiki.