[SOLVED] Can't boot to Windows after installing Windows 11 on a Samsung 980 Pro 1TB SSD ?

[jam_206]

Hello, I have seen some other threads with similar issues but trying the solutions therein have not worked for me.

System specs:
AMD Ryzen 5800X3D
EVGA Geforce 3060Ti 8 GB
MSI B450 Gaming Plus Motherboard
Crucial Pro 32GB DDR4 3200Mhz RAM
EVGA 750 GA 80+ Gold PSU
Kingston 120 GB SSD (MBR)
Samsung 870 2 TB SSD (MBR)
Seagate 1 TB HDD (MBR)
Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB NVME M.2 (GPT)

BIOS: Most up to date, 7B86v1J1

Summary:
I am trying to clean install Windows 11 using a bootable USB on to my 980 Pro 1 TB NVME M.2 drive. I have Windows 10 running on an old SSD (the Kingston) that boots using CSM.

I followed these instructions exactly (I have since deviated for troubleshooting purposes to no avail). I made sure to never have any other drives installed whenever I was attempting to install Windows 11 on the NVME drive. Every time I go to select the drive, I make sure to let Windows create the partitions. Regardless of the different things I've tried (enable/disable secure boot, create partitions manually via diskpart, trying to boot via CSM even though it should want UEFI), I've never made it past step 8 in the previously linked steps.

One of two things happen instead, either 1.) I do nothing and my PC boots back to Windows Setup, or 2.) I unplug the USB after the restart or go into BIOS after the restart and manually set the boot order so that the flash drive is disabled. The outcome of doing this is always the "reboot and select proper boot device” screen.

One of the things I wanted to try was to run a secure erase on the 980 Pro. I can't do that though because my Samsung Magician isn't seeing the drive, even though Windows can see the drive and manipulate it. Not sure what's going on there or if it's related.

I used Rufus to create the bootable USB from the Windows 11 ISO that I downloaded directly from Microsoft. I am considering using the Windows Media Creation tool, but from what I've seen online it doesn't seem like it would make a difference.

I appreciate any and all help! Happy to provide additional documentation

Imgur links:

Drive manager, NVME drive is Drive 4
Info that diskpart gives me after "install"
Partitions Windows sets up before clicking "next"

 

[RealBeast]

If all drives are disconnected and you only have the NVMe drive in, you need to delete all those partitions in picture 3 (if that is your NVMe). You need to have Rufus set to GPT with UEFI (non CSM).

 

[jam_206]

Thank you, I triple checked and confirmed that Rufus set up the boot USB to GPT with UEFI. I also confirmed the NVMe is set to GPT and made sure that the drive had no partitions before having it install.

Once Setup restarted my PC, I took out the USB drive and went into my BIOS to confirm the boot order and to make sure my BIOS is in UEFI with secure boot enabled. My BIOS lists the secure boot mode as "Standard", which I'm assuming is correct. Upon save/reboot from BIOS, my PC boots to BIOS. Screenshots/images below for your reference. Appreciate your time.

1. USB and NVMe drive are in GPT
2. No partitions in drive before install
3. BIOS boot order
4. Rufus drive properties and settings

 

[jam_206]

I've solved this, my issue was that I created a windows storage pool on the drive because I wanted to make sure the drive worked before the install. I deleted the storage pool and was able to install Windows 11 with no issue. Thank you @RealBeast for your help!