SATA HDD & SSD shown as removable—can't remedy

Using the current default Windows SATA drivers my three INTERNAL HDDs and showing up after reimaging as removable.

There is no hot plug setting in my bios. I have no option in knowing what bus I am using, so the previous suggestions online don't apply:

I have confirmed "Quick Removal" is NOT checked in Device Manager.

IF I install the ASUS mobo Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller and NOT use the Windows 7 driver (Intel(R) ICH10 Family 6 Port SATA AHCI Controller - 3A22) then the issue also disappears.

However, using the native ASUS Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI causes all sorts of other issues like blocking Windows Update, Invalid driver signing issues, and blocking Windows Defender and Microsoft Updates . So I'm stuck using the generic Windows 7 SATA controller drivers.

The issue disappears using the same HDDs on Windows 8.1.

Normally, I'd leave this alone but I have on occasion accidentally removed the wrong drive thinking I was removing a USB external drive or dongle. I am attaching some pics here:

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I would install the ASUS Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI.
- Instead of Win7 updates use Single file with all updates - Simplix
- You can disable driver signature Windows 7 64-bit Disable Driver Signature Enforcement - YouTube

Megahertz07 said:

I would install the ASUS Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI.
- Instead of Win7 updates use Single file with all updates - Simplix
- You can disable driver signature Windows 7 64-bit Disable Driver Signature Enforcement - YouTube

I hate YouTube, lol. I don't have the disable driver signature option during startup. Furthermore, even with registry hacks it doesn't work...it does work with the Microsoft Drivers though. That's what's so mind-boggling.

I need Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials but they're disabled once I install the Asus driver. I installed the driver from my Asus CD to ensure it was legitimate. Using the Asus driver causes many installation headaches such as when installing my newer printer drivers and more. They disappear when using the Microsoft Driver.

Never had an issue with Asus MB.
I suggest you contact Asus

Megahertz07 said:

Never had an issue with Asus MB.
I suggest you contact Asus

I never had an issue with ASUS before until I installed a new hard drive last year.

Asking me to contact Asus isn't helpful and rather insulting. Don't you think I have?

Asus dropped support for this MOBO long ago. They won't provide any assistance with it whatsoever. My only option is to post online, use Windows 8.1 or buy a NEW PC.

Just got this very same issue after updating to a new Asrock MoBo this weekend, showing the exact same symptoms as OP.

So, it doesn't seem like an ASUS issue...

Any idea of what else might be done?