Microsoft doesn’t do it the way Linux does it. Linux supports the Chip(set) and as long as different vendors “connect” them the standard way Linux just talks to these components directly in a standardized way. Microsoft wants drivers for that specific board/hardware revision. Even if it’s just a standard chip, every vendor needs to provide a driver.
I replaced an NVMe drive on a Windows 11 machine the other day. Cloned to new disk, booted up. After posting and entering the bootloaders, it said “BOOT DRIVE INACCESSIBLE”. The drive needed a driver to BOOT once Windows took over.
A Western Digital 850x black 2TB. This is not an uncommon drive, but I had to patch in the driver to the disk from a live CD.
I buy a lot of Dell refurb laptops to use in cheap timing setups for rfid chip timing. Recently they had to start selling some without an OS because they literally are stuffing anything they can find into them and Windows refuses to install without drivers.
And, at this point, they’re being actively discouraged from doing so.
I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, Windows doesn’t even offer an installer of any kind … or at least feature-locks the ability to install it yourself to ‘professional’ editions that cost more.
I’m not surprised that laptop had issues. It’s purpose built and likely has sub 1% usage across the windows install worldwide.
Not supporting a 3+ year old Intel wifi chipset out of the box is kind of wild though, that’s a super standard part.
Microsoft doesn’t do it the way Linux does it. Linux supports the Chip(set) and as long as different vendors “connect” them the standard way Linux just talks to these components directly in a standardized way. Microsoft wants drivers for that specific board/hardware revision. Even if it’s just a standard chip, every vendor needs to provide a driver.
I replaced an NVMe drive on a Windows 11 machine the other day. Cloned to new disk, booted up. After posting and entering the bootloaders, it said “BOOT DRIVE INACCESSIBLE”. The drive needed a driver to BOOT once Windows took over.
A Western Digital 850x black 2TB. This is not an uncommon drive, but I had to patch in the driver to the disk from a live CD.
I don’t see how people put up with this crap.
I buy a lot of Dell refurb laptops to use in cheap timing setups for rfid chip timing. Recently they had to start selling some without an OS because they literally are stuffing anything they can find into them and Windows refuses to install without drivers.
Keep in mind windows users don’t install their os from scratch. The OEM will include those in their deployment.
And, at this point, they’re being actively discouraged from doing so.
I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, Windows doesn’t even offer an installer of any kind … or at least feature-locks the ability to install it yourself to ‘professional’ editions that cost more.