Microsofts new native NVME driver - IO improvements

sityeuropa · 2025-12-20T11:16:12+0000

Just tried this and so far I have seen quite good improvements with 4K on the benchmarks.

I would create a restore point first just in case.
Just note, when rebooting before running a benchmark, I had to wait around 8 minutes for Windows Search Indexer to finish what its doing. I waited for a fair benchmark.

It requires KB5066835 to be installed. But this was released several months ago, and most people should have it.
It also requires Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2.

I have a 2TB SN8100 PCIe 5.0 drive.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windowsservernewsandbestpractices/announcing-native-nvme-in-windows-server-2025-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-storage-p/4477353

Before.

After

Code:

reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides /v 1853569164 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides /v 156965516 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides /v 735209102 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Firegod · 2025-12-20T11:38:20+0000

Seems like a step in the right direction - thanks for sharing the article. Just so everyone is aware though, taken from the comments section:

"This is new functionality only available in Windows Server 2025 with the October update or later. It is not available in Windows 11, but certainly something we are evaluating."

sityeuropa · 2025-12-20T12:09:01+0000

Firegod said:
Seems like a step in the right direction - thanks for sharing the article. Just so everyone is aware though, taken from the comments section:

"This is new functionality only available in Windows Server 2025 with the October update or later. It is not available in Windows 11, but certainly something we are evaluating."

It is possible on normal Windows versions with the registry edit I put in the post.

You will know once it is done, if you look in Device Manager, your drives will show under Storage Drives and no longer Disk Drives.

Mcnumpty2323 · 2025-12-20T15:40:28+0000

Would suggest more than a restore point
Before trying this
Full image backup should be done

If you're on a simple drive set up
May be OK

But this will cause drives to be re-enumerated
Ie drive id and position in the system
May get changed?

This could cause issues
With bitlocker, windows storage spaces, backup software,
File sync software are a few examples that
Come to mind
Though theres probably plenty more

Fair enough I have 5 x m2 drives
So probably not the typical end user
And i do use storage spaces,automatic file sync,
Backup software

Would be good to know
If this is reversible if something goes wrong
Ie would removing the reg edit restore any changed
Drive ids and system position to the previous values?

Assuming after a restart it hasn't caused something
That makes windows unbootable