Trying to install Windows or run recovery tools on your MSI motherboard? You’ll need to boot from a USB drive. The quickest way is pressing F11 repeatedly when you see the MSI logo during startup – this opens the boot menu where you can select your USB drive.
If that doesn’t work, you can enter BIOS with the Delete key and change your boot order. This guide shows you exactly how to boot any MSI motherboard from USB, plus solutions for common problems.
Whether you’re building a new PC, reinstalling Windows, or troubleshooting system issues, knowing how to boot from USB on your MSI motherboard is essential. I’ll walk you through every method that works, from the simple boot menu to advanced BIOS settings.
Boot MSI From USB in 30 Seconds
Here’s the fastest way to boot your MSI motherboard from USB:
- Insert your bootable USB drive into any USB port
- Restart your computer
- Press F11 repeatedly when you see the MSI logo
- Select your USB drive from the boot menu
- Press Enter to boot from USB
That’s it! Your system will now boot from the USB drive instead of your regular hard drive.
Understanding MSI Boot Menu Keys
MSI motherboards use specific keys to access different boot functions. Knowing these keys saves you time and frustration:
Essential MSI Boot Keys
- F11 – Opens the boot menu (quickest method)
- Delete – Enters BIOS setup
- F2 – Alternative BIOS key on some MSI models
- F10 – Saves BIOS changes and exits
The msi motherboard boot menu appears when you press F11 at the right moment. This menu lets you temporarily boot from USB without changing your permanent boot settings.
When to Press the Boot Keys?
Timing matters when accessing your MSI boot menu. Press your chosen key:
- As soon as you power on your PC
- When the MSI logo first appears
- Keep pressing repeatedly until the menu appears
- Don’t wait for Windows to start loading
If you miss the window, simply restart and try again. Some systems show the key options briefly at the bottom of the screen.
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Before you can boot from USB, you need a properly created bootable drive. A regular USB with files won’t work – it needs special boot files.
USB Requirements
- Minimum 8GB capacity (16GB recommended for Windows 11)
- USB 2.0 or 3.0 (both work fine)
- FAT32 format for best compatibility
- Empty drive (all data will be erased)
Creating Your Bootable USB
The easiest way to create a bootable Windows USB:
- Download the Windows Media Creation Tool
- Run the tool as administrator
- Select “Create installation media”
- Choose your USB drive
- Wait for the download and creation process
The tool automatically formats your drive and makes it bootable. This works for both Windows 10 and 11.
Method 1: Using the MSI Boot Menu (F11)
The boot menu is your fastest option when you need to msi motherboard select boot device temporarily. This method doesn’t change your permanent boot order.
Step-by-Step Boot Menu Access
- Insert your USB drive before powering on
- Power on your MSI system
- Press F11 repeatedly as soon as you see the MSI logo
- Wait for the boot menu to appear
- Use arrow keys to highlight your USB drive
- Press Enter to boot from the selected device
Your USB drive might appear under different names like:
- USB: SanDisk Cruzer
- UEFI: Kingston DataTraveler
- USB-HDD: Generic Flash Disk
Boot Menu Troubleshooting
If F11 doesn’t work for your msi motherboard boot option key:
- Try pressing F11 earlier or later in the boot sequence
- Hold down F11 instead of tapping
- Check if Fast Boot is enabled (disable it in BIOS)
- Ensure your keyboard is connected directly to the motherboard
Method 2: Setting Boot Order in MSI BIOS
For permanent changes or when the boot menu isn’t working, you’ll need to msi motherboard change boot drive order in BIOS.
Entering MSI BIOS Setup
- Restart your computer
- Press Delete repeatedly during startup
- Wait for BIOS to load (MSI Click BIOS interface)
MSI BIOS comes in two modes: EZ Mode (simple) and Advanced Mode (detailed).
Changing Boot Order in EZ Mode
EZ Mode shows a visual boot priority bar:
- Look for the Boot Priority section
- Click and drag your USB drive to the first position
- Press F10 to save and exit
Changing Boot Order in Advanced Mode
For more control:
- Press F7 to switch to Advanced Mode
- Navigate to Settings > Boot
- Select Boot Option #1
- Choose your USB drive from the dropdown
- Press F10 to save changes
UEFI vs Legacy Boot Modes
Understanding boot modes helps solve many USB boot problems. Your msi motherboard uefi boot settings must match your USB drive’s format.
What’s the Difference?
UEFI Mode:
- Modern boot method
- Supports drives over 2TB
- Faster boot times
- Requires GPT partition style
- Secure Boot capable
Legacy/CSM Mode:
- Older BIOS-style boot
- Limited to 2TB drives
- Slower but more compatible
- Uses MBR partition style
- Works with older operating systems
Setting the Correct Boot Mode
- Enter BIOS (Delete key)
- Go to Settings > Boot
- Find Boot Mode Select
- Choose based on your needs:
- UEFI – For Windows 10/11 on modern systems
- LEGACY+UEFI – For maximum compatibility
- Legacy – For older Windows versions or Linux
Troubleshooting: MSI Motherboard Won’t Boot USB
When your msi motherboard won’t boot usb, don’t panic. Here are proven solutions for common problems.
USB Not Detected in BIOS
Check Hardware First:
- Try different USB ports (rear motherboard ports work best)
- Test USB drive on another computer
- Use a different USB drive
- Remove all other USB devices
BIOS Settings to Check:
- Enable USB Legacy Support in Advanced settings
- Disable Fast Boot
- Disable Secure Boot if using older USB drives
- Enable XHCI Hand-off for USB 3.0 support
Wrong USB Format Issues
Your USB might be formatted incorrectly:
- UEFI systems need GPT formatted USB drives
- Legacy systems need MBR formatted USB drives
- Use tools like Rufus to create properly formatted bootable drives
Secure Boot Conflicts
Secure Boot can block unsigned USB drives:
- Enter BIOS
- Navigate to Settings > Security
- Find Secure Boot
- Set to Disabled
- Save and restart
Advanced MSI BIOS Settings
For stubborn boot issues, these advanced settings often help.
Disabling CSM for Pure UEFI
When you see “CSM is Loaded” warnings:
- Enter BIOS
- Go to Settings > Boot
- Change Boot Mode Select from LEGACY+UEFI to UEFI
- Save and restart
Enabling USB Boot Support
Some older MSI boards need manual USB boot enabling:
- Enter BIOS Advanced Mode (F7)
- Navigate to Settings > Advanced > USB Configuration
- Enable Legacy USB Support
- Enable USB Boot
- Save changes with F10
Clearing CMOS for Boot Issues
If BIOS settings are corrupted:
- Turn off and unplug your PC
- Remove the CMOS battery for 30 seconds
- Reinstall battery
- Boot and reconfigure BIOS
Creating Different Types of Bootable USBs
Different situations need different bootable USB types. Here’s how to create each one.
Windows Installation USB
Using Microsoft’s official tool:
- Download Media Creation Tool
- Run as administrator
- Select “Create installation media”
- Choose USB flash drive
- Select your Windows version
- Wait for creation to complete
Linux Bootable USB
For dual-boot systems:
- Download your Linux ISO
- Use Rufus or BalenaEtcher
- Select ISO and USB drive
- Choose DD mode for best compatibility
- Create the bootable drive
Recovery USB Drive
For system repairs:
- Search “Create recovery drive” in Windows
- Check “Back up system files”
- Select your USB drive
- Follow the wizard
MSI Motherboard First Boot Tips
During msi motherboard first boot with a new build:
Initial Setup Best Practices
- Install only essential components first
- Use a single RAM stick in the second slot
- Connect display to motherboard if possible
- Have your Windows product key ready
Common First Boot Issues
- No display: Reset CMOS, try one RAM stick
- Boot loops: Check all power connections
- USB not detected: Update BIOS after installing Windows
Specific Solutions for MSI Motherboard Won’t Boot
When facing the dreaded MSI motherboard won’t boot situation:
Hardware Troubleshooting Steps
- Check all connections – 24-pin and CPU power
- Test with minimal hardware – CPU, one RAM stick, GPU
- Try different RAM slots – Start with slot A2
- Reset CMOS – Remove battery or use jumper
- Update BIOS – Use USB BIOS Flashback if available
USB-Specific Boot Failures
For USB boot failures:
- Create USB with different tools (try Rufus if Media Creation Tool fails)
- Use USB 2.0 ports instead of 3.0
- Format USB to FAT32 before making it bootable
- Try a different brand USB drive
Quick Reference: Boot Methods Summary
Here’s everything you need at a glance:
| Method | Key | When to Use | Permanent Change |
| Boot Menu | F11 | One-time boot | No |
| BIOS Setup | Delete | Change boot order | Yes |
| Alternative BIOS | F2 | Some MSI models | Yes |
| Windows Boot Menu | Hold Shift + Restart | From within Windows | No |
Pro Tips for Smooth USB Booting
Make USB booting easier with these expert tips:
- Label your USB drives – Know which one is bootable
- Keep BIOS updated – Newer versions improve USB compatibility
- Use quality USB drives – Cheap drives often fail during installation
- Create multiple bootable USBs – Have backups ready
- Document BIOS settings – Take photos before making changes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MSI boot menu key?
The MSI boot menu key is F11. Press it repeatedly when you see the MSI logo during startup to access the boot device selection menu. This lets you temporarily boot from USB without changing BIOS settings.
Why won’t my MSI motherboard detect my bootable USB?
Your MSI motherboard might not detect USB due to incorrect boot mode (UEFI vs Legacy), disabled USB boot support, Secure Boot conflicts, or a improperly created bootable USB. Try different USB ports, disable Secure Boot, and ensure your USB is formatted correctly for your boot mode.
How do I enable UEFI boot on MSI motherboard?
Enter BIOS by pressing Delete during startup, navigate to Settings > Boot, find Boot Mode Select, and change it to UEFI. If you see “CSM is loaded” warning, you need to disable CSM by selecting UEFI-only mode. Save with F10 and restart.
What’s the difference between F11 and Delete key for MSI boards?
F11 opens the quick boot menu for one-time boot device selection without changing permanent settings. The Delete key enters BIOS setup where you can change permanent boot order, enable/disable features, and configure advanced settings.
Can I boot from USB 3.0 on older MSI motherboards?
Yes, but you may need to enable XHCI Hand-off in BIOS under Advanced > USB Configuration. Some older boards work better with USB 2.0 ports for booting. If USB 3.0 isn’t working, try using the USB 2.0 ports instead.
How do I fix “reboot and select proper boot device” on MSI?
This error means no bootable device was found. Check that your USB is properly created as bootable, inserted firmly, and selected in boot priority. Enter BIOS with Delete key, verify your USB appears in boot options, and set it as Boot Option #1. Also check if boot mode (UEFI/Legacy) matches your USB format.
What should I do if F11 doesn’t work on my MSI motherboard?
If F11 doesn’t open the boot menu, try: disabling Fast Boot in BIOS, using a PS/2 keyboard instead of USB, pressing F11 earlier in the boot sequence, or holding F11 continuously. As a last resort, enter BIOS with Delete key and manually set USB as first boot priority.
Conclusion
Booting your MSI motherboard from USB is straightforward once you know the right keys and settings. Press F11 for quick access to the boot menu, or use Delete to enter BIOS for permanent changes. Remember to match your boot mode (UEFI or Legacy) with your USB format, and disable Secure Boot if you encounter issues.
With these methods, you can successfully boot from USB whether you’re installing Windows, running diagnostics, or recovering your system. Keep this guide handy for your next MSI build or troubleshooting session.
