Get the Samsung NVMe driver
Samsung's own NVMe Driver is version 3.3 (4.72 MB) for Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, and lists the 970 PRO, 970 EVO, 970 EVO Plus, 960 PRO, 960 EVO and 950 PRO. It is not listed for newer drives. For those, Windows' built-in driver works and Samsung Magician handles firmware and health.
Checked October 30, 2026 against the manufacturer's own pages.
Driver downloads
| Driver | Version | Released | Size | Windows | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung NVMe Driver | 3.3 | See maker page | 4.72 MB | Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 | Download from semiconductor.samsung.com |
| Samsung Magician (Windows) | 9.0.1 | See maker page | 195 MB | See maker page | Download from semiconductor.samsung.com |
Values copied from the manufacturer's page on October 30, 2026. The file always downloads from the manufacturer, never from this site.
Hardware IDs on this page
| Hardware ID | Device name |
|---|---|
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A802 | NVMe SSD Controller SM951/PM951 |
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A804 | NVMe SSD Controller SM961/PM961/SM963 |
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A808 | NVMe SSD Controller SM981/PM981/PM983 |
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A809 | NVMe SSD Controller 980 (DRAM-less) |
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A80A | NVMe SSD Controller PM9A1/PM9A3/980PRO |
PCI\VEN_144D&DEV_A810 | NVMe SSD 9100 PRO [PM9E1] |
Match the first line of Hardware Ids in Device Manager (Properties, Details) against this list. Names come from the public PCI ID Repository.
The short version
What to install and where it comes from. Every link goes to the manufacturer or Microsoft, never to a copy.
Official files only, nothing bundled
Step by step
Find your SSD model
Look at the label on the drive or in Device Manager, Disk drives. The names read like Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 500GB.
Compare it with Samsung's list
Open Samsung's tools page. The NVMe Driver lists the 970 PRO, 970 EVO, 970 EVO Plus, 960 PRO, 960 EVO and 950 PRO.
If it is on the list, read the guide
Download the installer and Samsung's installation guide. Run the installer with administrator rights and restart.
If it is not on the list, keep Windows' driver
A 980, 990 or 9100 series drive works with the Standard NVM Express Controller already in Windows. Do not hunt for a driver.
Add Magician for firmware
Install Samsung Magician to check drive health and offer firmware updates.
What Samsung’s driver is for
Samsung wrote its own NVMe driver for Windows around the time of the 950 PRO and 960 series, when Windows’ own driver lagged behind. Version 3.3 is the one on Samsung’s tools page. The page lists Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, and a Haswell Refresh class processor, 2 GB of RAM and UEFI BIOS 2.3 or later as recommended. The date is not shown, so we do not give one.
Newer drives do not use it
Samsung’s list stops at the 970 family. The 980 PRO and later drives are not on it. Since Windows 8.1, Microsoft has shipped stornvme.sys as its own NVMe driver, and it covers current SSDs. Samsung Magician, version 9.0.1 on Samsung’s page, installs next to it for health reports and updates.
Reading your drive’s ID
The table shows Samsung controller entries from the PCI ID Repository, from the SM951 to the 9100 PRO. A match tells you the drive is Samsung’s, not that the old driver fits it. Always go by the SSD name on Samsung’s list. When in doubt, the built in driver is the safe choice, and no driver is better than the wrong one.
Questions
Is the Samsung NVMe driver needed on Windows 11?
Samsung's page lists Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 only. Windows 11 users should rely on the built in driver unless Samsung adds support.
Why did my 980 PRO not appear in the list?
Samsung's driver page does not list it. A Samsung community answer says no dedicated driver exists for it, and the Windows driver works.
My SSD is not detected in Windows setup.
Check the BIOS storage mode. If the PC uses Intel VMD, load Intel's driver file at the setup screen. See the Intel RST page.
What does Magician do?
Samsung's page describes it for internal and portable SSDs. It shows drive health and handles updates. It is not a storage driver.