Microsoft Standard SATA AHCI Driver (storahci) Service Defaults in Windows 8

MS AHCI Storport Miniport Driver by Microsoft Corporation.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft Standard SATA AHCI Driver
Service name:storahci
Service type:kernel
Error control:critical
Group:SCSI Miniport
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\storahci.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci

Default Behavior

The Microsoft Standard SATA AHCI Driver service is a kernel device driver. In Windows 8 it will not be started until the user starts it. If Microsoft Standard SATA AHCI Driver fails to load or initialize, the error details should be automatically logged. Then Windows 8 is restarting the PC and attempting to use the Last Known Good configuration. If the Last Known Good configuration isn't working properly, Windows 8 startup ends with a Stop error. If you disable the storahci service, Windows 8 will fail to start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft Standard SATA AHCI Driver

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config storahci start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The storahci service is using the storahci.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 8 installation media.