End-Of-Life (EOL) Announcement for the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology and Intel® Optane™ Memory Applications

Documentation

Product Information & Documentation

000055419

05/09/2023

The following applications have reached end-of-life (EOL) and will no longer be updated. These applications were used to manage RAID and the Intel® Optane™ Memory in 7th/8th Generation Intel® Processors and related platforms:

  • Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) User Interface
  • Intel® Optane™ Memory User Interface

The Intel® RST 17.8 driver package was the last to contain the applications above. Starting with the Intel® RST driver 17.9.1.1009 and later, a new installer will be used to assist users with the following tasks:

What does this mean for you?
  • If you have an Intel 7th Gen platform and still use RAID setups or the Intel® Optane™ Memory, you should continue using these legacy applications. However, keep in mind that no further updates or development will be done for them.
  • If on the other hand, you have an Intel 8th Gen platform or greater, you should use the new installer and new Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application to be able to manage RAID and the Intel® Optane™ Memory (as applicable). Support for new features and capabilities will be done only to this new installer. To know the specific Intel® RST installer to use according to your Intel platform generation, see What Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver Is Supported on My Platform?.
  • Note: If you are migrating from the legacy applications, it is recommended to utilize the new installer for ease of use and the best transition. Just remember to review the Release Notes to confirm product support and compatibility because the right installer to use will depend on the platform generation that you have.

To learn more about this transition, click or the topic below for details:

Why will these legacy applications no longer be supported?

The Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application  combines the premium Intel® RST capabilities available in both legacy applications, all into one easy-to-use application. It will take the place of the EOL'd applications.  Future development work will focus on the health and capabilities of this new application.

Will these legacy applications continue to be available to download on Intel Download Center?

Yes, the applications will still be available for those users that continue using Intel 7th Gen platforms (see Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) User Interface and Driver). However, no new versions of these applications will be available.

Why is the new Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application available in Microsoft* Store but not available on Intel Download Center?

In compliance with Microsoft new Universal Windows Platform* (UWP*), Intel has stopped bundling the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology applications with the Intel® RST drivers. UWP requires that all driver-dependent applications be made available only through the Microsoft Store. Find more information about UWP. During the installation of the Intel RST driver (version 17.9 and later) you will have an option to download and install the Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application from the Microsoft Store if an Internet connection is available.

I have a Windows® 10 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) operating system with no access to the Microsoft Store. What can I do?

Windows® 10 Enterprise Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) users may face challenges since access to the Microsoft Store may be limited.  Windows 10® LTSC device functionality and features are not expected to change over time and end users are advised not to make updates directly.

For device manufacturers and IT administrators an offline version of the Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application is now available in the Microsoft Business and Education Store. Go here for more information on how to download/access, or work with your Microsoft representative with any questions.

Can I continue using the legacy Intel® RST and/or Intel® Optane™ Memory application?

If you have an Intel 7th Gen platform and still use RAID setups or the Intel® Optane™ Memory, you should continue using these legacy applications. However, keep in mind that no further updates or development will be done for them.

If on the other hand, you have an Intel 8th Gen platform or greater, you should use the new installer and new Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application to be able to manage RAID and the Intel® Optane™ Memory (as applicable). Support for new features and capabilities will be done only to this new installer. To know the specific Intel® RST installer to use according to your Intel platform generation, see What Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver Is Supported on My Platform?.

How should I migrate to the new Intel® Optane™ Memory and Storage Management application?

If you are migrating from the legacy applications, it is recommended to utilize the new installer for ease of use and the best transition. Just remember to review the Release Notes to confirm product support and compatibility because the right installer to use will depend on the platform generation that you have.

If on the other hand you are looking to remove the applications manually, follow these steps:

  1. Back up all data.
  2. Disable acceleration with Intel® Optane™ memory. For more details, see How to Disable System Acceleration with Intel® Optane™ Memory.
  3. Restart the computer.
  4. Uninstall the application.