MSI Motherboard CSM Settings | Enable or Disable Easily

If you’ve ever installed Windows or dealt with boot issues on your MSI motherboard, you might have encountered something called CSM. CSM stands for Compatibility Support Module, and it’s an important setting in your computer’s BIOS that affects how your system starts up.

Whether you need to enable or disable CSM depends on your specific hardware and software setup. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to enable or disable CSM on MSI motherboards in Windows, with step-by-step instructions for different BIOS versions and scenarios.

Key Takeaways

• CSM (Compatibility Support Module) allows your UEFI BIOS to work with older devices and operating systems
• You can access CSM settings through your MSI motherboard’s BIOS setup, typically by pressing DEL or F2 during startup
• Disabling CSM is recommended for newer operating systems like Windows 10/11 and enables features like Secure Boot
• Enabling CSM is necessary when using older hardware or operating systems that don’t support UEFI
• The process varies slightly between MSI Click BIOS 4 and Click BIOS 5 interfaces
• Changing CSM settings may affect your system’s ability to boot, so proceed with caution

What is CSM and Why Does It Matter?

CSM, or Compatibility Support Module, is a component of your computer’s UEFI BIOS that provides backward compatibility with older hardware and software. Think of it as a translator that helps modern UEFI systems communicate with devices designed for the older BIOS system.

When CSM is enabled, your motherboard can boot from older devices and run operating systems that don’t support UEFI. When CSM is disabled, your system operates in pure UEFI mode, which offers better security, faster boot times, and support for newer features like Secure Boot.

You might need to disable CSM when installing newer operating systems like Windows 10 or 11, especially if you want to use Secure Boot. On the other hand, you might need to enable CSM if you’re using older hardware, installing an older operating system, or encountering compatibility issues during boot.

How to Access MSI BIOS Setup?

Before you can enable or disable CSM, you need to access your MSI motherboard’s BIOS setup. Here’s how:

1. Start or restart your computer
2. As soon as the system begins to boot, press the DEL key repeatedly
   • On some MSI motherboards, you might need to press F2 instead
   • If you’re not sure which key to press, watch the startup screen for a message like “Press DEL to enter Setup”
3. Continue pressing the key until you enter the BIOS setup utility

If you can’t access the BIOS using these keys, try these alternatives:

• For Windows 10/11: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. Then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
• For older Windows versions: Use the Advanced startup options by holding Shift while clicking Restart.

Once you’re in the BIOS, you’ll see either the MSI Click BIOS 4 or Click BIOS 5 interface, depending on your motherboard model and age.

How to Disable CSM in Setup MSI?

Disabling CSM in your MSI BIOS setup is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Enter your MSI BIOS setup using the DEL or F2 key during startup
2. Navigate to the “Settings” or “Boot” section using the arrow keys
3. Look for an option called “CSM” or “Compatibility Support Module”
4. Select the CSM option and press Enter
5. Change the setting from “Enabled” to “Disabled”
6. Press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS
7. Confirm that you want to save and exit when prompted

After disabling CSM, your computer will restart. If you’re running a compatible operating system like Windows 10 or 11, it should boot normally. If you encounter boot issues, you may need to enable CSM again or check other BIOS settings related to boot mode.

How to Disable CSM in MSI Click BIOS 5?

MSI Click BIOS 5 features a more graphical interface than previous versions. Here’s how to disable CSM in this environment:

1. Restart your computer and press DEL to enter BIOS setup
2. Once in Click BIOS 5, click on the “Settings” option at the top
3. Select the “Boot” section from the left-hand menu
4. Look for the “CSM” option in the main panel
5. Click on the CSM setting and change it from “Enabled” to “Disabled”
6. If prompted, you may also need to disable “Legacy Boot” and enable “UEFI Boot”
7. Click on the “Save & Exit” button in the top-right corner
8. Confirm your choice when prompted

After making these changes, your system will restart. Remember that disabling CSM is necessary for certain features like Secure Boot, which is recommended for Windows 10 and 11 installations.

How to Enable CSM in BIOS MSI?

Sometimes you need to enable CSM for compatibility with older hardware or software.

Here’s how to do it on an MSI motherboard:

1. Restart your computer and press DEL or F2 to enter BIOS setup
2. Navigate to the “Settings” or “Boot” section using your keyboard or mouse
3. Look for the “CSM” or “Compatibility Support Module” option
4. Select the CSM option and change it from “Disabled” to “Enabled”
5. You may also need to enable “Legacy Boot” if it’s available
6. Save your changes by pressing F10 or clicking “Save & Exit”
7. Confirm that you want to save and exit when prompted

After enabling CSM, your computer will restart with legacy compatibility enabled. This is particularly useful when:

• Installing older versions of Windows (like Windows 7)
• Using older boot devices that don’t support UEFI
• Troubleshooting boot issues that occur in UEFI mode

How to Enable or Disable CSM on MSI Motherboard Lenovo?

Some Lenovo computers come with MSI motherboards, and the process might have slight variations.

Here’s how to handle CSM settings on these systems:

1. Restart your Lenovo computer
2. Press the appropriate key to enter BIOS setup (usually F1, F2, or DEL)
3. Navigate to the “Startup” or “Boot” section
4. Look for “CSM” or “UEFI/Legacy Boot” options
5. To enable CSM: Set “UEFI/Legacy Boot” to “Both” or “Legacy Only”
6. To disable CSM: Set “UEFI/Legacy Boot” to “UEFI Only”
7. Save your changes and exit the BIOS

Lenovo systems sometimes have additional security features that might affect CSM settings. If you don’t see the CSM option, check if there’s a “Secure Boot” option that needs to be disabled first.

How to Disable CSM in BIOS MSI Windows 10?

For Windows 10 users, disabling CSM can enable important security features. Here’s the specific process:

1. Back up your important data before making BIOS changes
2. Restart your computer and enter BIOS setup using DEL or F2
3. Navigate to the “Boot” or “Settings” section
4. Find the “CSM” option and set it to “Disabled”
5. Ensure “Windows Boot Manager” is selected as the first boot device
6. If available, enable “Secure Boot” (this requires CSM to be disabled)
7. Save your changes and exit BIOS

After disabling CSM in Windows 10, you should experience:

• Faster boot times
• Enhanced security through Secure Boot
• Better compatibility with Windows 10 features

If Windows 10 fails to boot after disabling CSM, you may need to:

• Re-enable CSM temporarily
• Check if your Windows installation is UEFI-compatible
• Reinstall Windows in UEFI mode if necessary

How to Disable CSM in MSI Click BIOS 4?

MSI Click BIOS 4 is an older interface with a different layout. Here’s how to disable CSM in this version:

1. Restart your computer and press DEL to enter BIOS setup
2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Boot” section
3. Look for “CSM Parameters” or “Compatibility Support Module”
4. Select the CSM option and press Enter
5. Change the setting from “Enabled” to “Disabled”
6. Press ESC to go back to the main menu
7. Press F10 to save changes and exit
8. Confirm when prompted

Click BIOS 4 might have slightly different wording for options compared to Click BIOS 5. If you can’t find “CSM,” look for:

• “UEFI Boot”
• “Legacy Boot”
• “Boot Mode”

These settings are often related to CSM functionality.

What to Do When “MSI CSM is Loaded” Message Appears

If you see the “MSI CSM is loaded” message during startup, it means the Compatibility Support Module is currently active on your system. Here’s what you need to know:

This message typically appears when:

• CSM is enabled in your BIOS settings
• Your system is booting using legacy compatibility mode
• You’re using older hardware or software that requires CSM

If you see this message and want to disable CSM:

1. Enter BIOS setup during startup
2. Navigate to the Boot or Settings section
3. Find the CSM option and disable it
4. Save your changes and restart

If you want to keep CSM enabled but don’t want to see the message:

1. Enter BIOS setup
2. Look for “Boot Logo Display” or similar options
3. Disable the display of boot messages if available
4. Save your changes and restart

The “MSI CSM is loaded” message itself isn’t a problem—it’s just informational. However, if you’re using a modern operating system like Windows 10 or 11, you might get better performance and security by disabling CSM.

Troubleshooting Common CSM Issues

Changing CSM settings can sometimes cause problems. Here are solutions to common issues:

Computer Won’t Boot After Disabling CSM

If your system won’t start after disabling CSM:

1. Restart and enter BIOS setup again
2. Re-enable CSM to restore functionality
3. Check if your Windows installation is UEFI-compatible
4. If needed, convert your disk from MBR to GPT format for UEFI booting

Can’t Find CSM Option in BIOS

If you don’t see the CSM option:

1. Look in different sections like Boot, Settings, or Advanced
2. Try disabling Secure Boot first (this might reveal the CSM option)
3. Check if your motherboard model supports CSM
4. Update your BIOS to the latest version

Operating System Installation Issues

If you’re having trouble installing an OS:

• For Windows 7/8: Enable CSM and use Legacy Boot mode
• For Windows 10/11: Disable CSM and use UEFI mode with Secure Boot
• For Linux: Check your distribution’s documentation for UEFI/CSM requirements

Boot Device Not Detected

If your system doesn’t detect your boot device:

1. Check boot priority settings in BIOS
2. Try different SATA ports if using a hard drive
3. Ensure your boot device is formatted correctly (MBR for Legacy, GPT for UEFI)
4. Try enabling or disabling CSM based on your device’s compatibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

MSI Motherboard CSM Settings: Enable or Disable Easily is an important step in optimizing your system for your specific needs. Whether you’re installing a new operating system, troubleshooting boot issues, or trying to enable security features like Secure Boot, understanding how to control CSM settings is essential.

Remember that disabling CSM is generally recommended for modern systems running Windows 10 or 11, while enabling CSM is necessary for older hardware or operating systems. Always be cautious when changing BIOS settings, and don’t hesitate to consult your motherboard manual or MSI’s support resources if you’re unsure about any step.

For more guides on optimizing your MSI motherboard and troubleshooting common issues, check out our other articles on BIOS updates, overclocking, and system configuration.