MSI Motherboard CSM Settings (August 2026): Complete Guide

Modern MSI motherboards ship with UEFI firmware that includes a setting called CSM, or Compatibility Support Module. This feature determines how your system boots and whether it can work with older hardware and software. If you have been trying to enable Secure Boot or install Windows 11, you have likely run into this setting and wondered whether to turn it on or off.

In 2026, the CSM setting remains relevant for specific use cases, even as hardware and software push toward pure UEFI operation. Understanding when to enable or disable CSM can mean the difference between a smooth installation and a system that refuses to boot. This guide walks you through the exact steps for every MSI BIOS variant, explains why you might not see the CSM option, and covers the prerequisites you need to handle first.

Key Takeaways

• CSM (Compatibility Support Module) lets your UEFI BIOS work with older devices and operating systems designed for legacy BIOS
• You must disable Secure Boot before the CSM option becomes visible on most modern MSI motherboards
• On some MSI boards, you can access CSM through EZ Mode by pressing F7 during startup
• Disabling CSM is required for Windows 11 and enables Secure Boot for better security
• Older NVIDIA GPUs like the GTX 1080 may need a VBIOS update before CSM can be fully disabled for Secure Boot compatibility
• The process differs between MSI Click BIOS 4 and Click BIOS 5 interfaces

What is CSM and Why Does It Matter?

CSM stands for Compatibility Support Module, and it is a component built into your MSI motherboard’s UEFI firmware. Think of it as a translation layer that allows modern UEFI systems to communicate with hardware and software originally designed for the older BIOS standard.

When CSM is enabled, your motherboard can boot from legacy devices and run operating systems that do not support UEFI. This includes older versions of Windows, DOS-based tools, and hardware that predates the UEFI standard. When CSM is disabled, your system operates in pure UEFI mode, which offers faster boot times, support for drives larger than 2TB, and security features like Secure Boot.

The choice between enabling and disabling CSM depends entirely on your hardware and software needs. Modern operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11 work best with CSM disabled. Older setups, whether hardware or software, typically require CSM enabled to function properly.

CSM Enabled vs Disabled: Quick Reference

Aspect	CSM Enabled	CSM Disabled
Boot Mode	UEFI + Legacy compatibility	Pure UEFI only
Secure Boot	Not available	Available and active
Older Hardware Support	Full support	Limited or none
Windows 11 Compatibility	Not compatible	Fully compatible
Boot Speed	Slower startup	Faster startup
Disk Format Required	MBR or GPT	GPT recommended
USB Boot Support	Legacy USB only	UEFI USB required

How to Access MSI BIOS Setup?

Before you can change CSM settings, you need to enter your MSI motherboard’s BIOS setup utility. The method depends on your specific MSI board and whether you are using a desktop or laptop system.

The standard approach works for most MSI motherboards sold in recent years. Start or restart your computer, then press the DEL or F2 key repeatedly as soon as the system begins to boot. Watch the startup screen for a message indicating which key opens the BIOS setup. On some MSI boards, particularly those from the MEG or MAG series, you might need to press F2 instead of DEL.

If the standard keys do not work, you have an alternative through Windows. For Windows 10 or 11, navigate to Settings, then Update and Security, then Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. After your computer restarts, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings, and finally click Restart. Your system will boot directly into the BIOS setup.

Once inside the BIOS, you will see either the MSI Click BIOS 4 or Click BIOS 5 interface depending on your motherboard model and firmware version. Both interfaces provide access to CSM settings, though the navigation differs slightly between them.

For more details on accessing your MSI BIOS, see our guide on MSI motherboard BIOS setup or check our BIOS key for MSI motherboard reference page.

Prerequisite: Disable Secure Boot First

Here is the step that causes the most confusion for MSI motherboard users. On most modern MSI boards released after 2020, the CSM option remains hidden until you disable Secure Boot. This catches many users off guard because they cannot find the CSM setting at all, even though they navigate through every BIOS menu.

The reason is straightforward. Secure Boot and CSM serve opposite purposes. Secure Boot ensures only signed operating systems can boot, while CSM provides compatibility with unsigned legacy code. MSI hides CSM when Secure Boot is active to prevent conflicts and to guide users toward the modern configuration.

To reveal the CSM option, enter your BIOS setup and navigate to the Settings or Boot section. Look for Secure Boot and change it from Enabled to Disabled. Save your changes and re-enter the BIOS. The CSM option should now be visible.

If you are planning to use Secure Boot for Windows 11, you will need to set it up after disabling CSM, not before. The proper sequence is disable Secure Boot, disable CSM, then re-enable Secure Boot once CSM is off. For a complete walkthrough of Secure Boot on MSI boards, visit our MSI Secure Boot guide.

How to Disable CSM in Setup MSI?

With Secure Boot disabled, you can now access the CSM option. Follow these steps to disable CSM on your MSI motherboard:

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 or mouse
3. Locate the CSM or Compatibility Support Module option
4. Press Enter on the CSM setting to open the options menu
5. Select Disabled to turn off CSM
6. Press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS
7. Confirm the save when prompted

After your computer restarts, it will operate in pure UEFI mode. If you are running Windows 10 or 11, the system should boot normally. If boot issues occur, you may need to verify your system disk is using GPT format rather than MBR, or check other boot-related settings in your BIOS.

Alternative: Find CSM in EZ Mode (F7)

Some MSI boards hide the CSM toggle inside EZ Mode rather than the standard Advanced Mode. This catches users who navigate through the full BIOS hierarchy looking for the option.

To check EZ Mode, restart your computer and press F7 during the startup sequence instead of navigating through menus. This opens a simplified overview screen showing basic system information and quick access toggles. Look for a CSM or boot mode option on this screen. Not all MSI boards expose CSM in EZ Mode, but several models in the MAG and PRO series include this shortcut.

If you do not see the CSM option in EZ Mode, return to Advanced Mode by pressing F7 again or navigating back through the BIOS interface. The standard method in the Settings or Boot section remains your fallback.

GPU Firmware Update for Secure Boot

Here is an issue that affects users with older graphics cards. If you have an NVIDIA GTX 1080, GTX 1070, or similar Pascal-generation card, you might encounter problems when trying to disable CSM and enable Secure Boot. The card’s VBIOS may not support the GOP (Graphics Output Protocol) that Secure Boot requires.

The symptom is a black screen after disabling CSM and enabling Secure Boot, even though your operating system loads normally when Secure Boot stays disabled. This occurs because the GPU firmware lacks the proper signature for Secure Boot validation.

To resolve this, check NVIDIA’s support page for your specific GPU model and download any available VBIOS updates. The update process requires flashing the GPU firmware, which carries risk if interrupted. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure your system remains powered throughout the update.

If you cannot update the GPU firmware, you have two options. First, keep CSM disabled but leave Secure Boot disabled as well. This allows your system to boot without the black screen issue. Second, consider upgrading to a newer GPU that includes native Secure Boot support, such as the RTX 3000 series or newer.

How to Disable CSM in MSI Click BIOS 5?

MSI Click BIOS 5 features a graphical interface with a modern layout. The process for disabling CSM differs slightly from older BIOS versions but remains straightforward.

1. Restart your computer and press DEL to enter BIOS setup
2. Click on the Settings option in the top navigation bar
3. Select Boot from the left-hand menu panel
4. Find the CSM option in the main settings panel
5. Click on CSM and change the setting to Disabled
6. If prompted, also set the boot mode to UEFI only and disable legacy boot options
7. Click Save and Exit in the top-right corner
8. Confirm your selection when prompted

Click BIOS 5 may prompt you about converting disk format to GPT when disabling CSM. If your system disk uses MBR format and you want full UEFI compatibility, allow the conversion. This will erase all data on the disk, so back up important files before proceeding.

After making these changes, your system will restart. With CSM disabled and UEFI mode active, Windows 10 or 11 should boot normally, and you can enable Secure Boot from the same menu if needed for Windows 11.

How to Enable CSM in BIOS MSI?

Enabling CSM becomes necessary when you are working with older hardware or legacy software that does not support UEFI boot modes. The process mirrors disabling but moves in the opposite direction.

1. Restart your computer and press DEL or F2 to enter BIOS setup
2. Navigate to the Settings or Boot section
3. Find the CSM or Compatibility Support Module option
4. Select the CSM option and change it from Disabled to Enabled
5. If available, also enable Legacy Boot to ensure full compatibility
6. Save your changes by pressing F10 or clicking Save and Exit
7. Confirm the save when prompted

After enabling CSM, your system will restart with legacy compatibility active. You might need this configuration in several scenarios: installing Windows 7 or earlier, using older bootable recovery tools, running hardware that predates UEFI adoption, or troubleshooting boot issues that occur in pure UEFI mode.

For more BIOS configuration options, see our guide on enabling virtualization in MSI BIOS to optimize other settings on your board.

How to Enable or Disable CSM on MSI Motherboard Lenovo?

Some Lenovo desktops ship with MSI motherboards, and the BIOS interface might differ slightly from the standard MSI layout. The underlying principles remain the same, though the menu organization varies.

1. Restart your Lenovo computer
2. Press the appropriate key during startup (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 changes and exit the BIOS

Lenovo systems often include additional security layers that interact with CSM settings. If you cannot locate the CSM option, check whether a Secure Boot setting is active and disable it first. Some Lenovo firmware also groups boot-related settings under a single menu that consolidates UEFI/Legacy options rather than showing them separately.

How to Disable CSM in BIOS MSI Windows 10?

Windows 10 users benefit from disabling CSM because it enables full UEFI functionality and prepares the system for Secure Boot. Here is the specific process for Windows 10 installations.

1. Back up 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. Verify that Windows Boot Manager appears as the first boot device
6. If available and desired, enable Secure Boot from the same menu
7. Save your changes and exit BIOS

Disabling CSM in Windows 10 delivers several advantages: faster boot times compared to legacy compatibility mode, improved security through Secure Boot, better support for large drives using GPT format, and compatibility with Windows 11 should you decide to upgrade later.

If Windows 10 fails to boot after disabling CSM, your installation likely uses MBR format rather than GPT. You can either re-enable CSM to restore boot capability or convert your system disk to GPT format and perform a clean Windows installation in UEFI mode.

How to Disable CSM in MSI Click BIOS 4?

MSI Click BIOS 4 appears on older motherboards and uses a more text-based interface compared to the graphical Click BIOS 5. The navigation differs slightly but remains intuitive.

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. Press Enter on the CSM option to open the configuration
5. Change the setting from Enabled to Disabled
6. Press ESC to return to the main BIOS screen
7. Press F10 to save changes and exit
8. Confirm the prompt when it appears

If you cannot find CSM under the Boot section in Click BIOS 4, check the Advanced or Settings sections. Some MSI boards place CSM in different locations depending on the firmware version. Related options you might encounter include UEFI Boot, Legacy Boot, and Boot Mode, all of which interact with CSM functionality.

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

The MSI CSM is loaded message appears during startup when the Compatibility Support Module is currently active on your system. This is purely informational and not an error, but it tells you that your system is running in legacy compatibility mode.

You typically see this message in these situations: CSM is enabled in your BIOS settings, your system is booting using legacy compatibility rather than pure UEFI, or you are using older hardware that requires CSM for proper operation.

If you want to remove the MSI CSM is loaded message and switch to pure UEFI mode, follow these steps:

1. Enter BIOS setup during startup
2. Disable Secure Boot first to reveal the CSM option
3. Navigate to the Boot or Settings section
4. Find the CSM option and set it to Disabled
5. Save your changes and restart

If you prefer to keep CSM enabled and simply hide the startup message, enter BIOS setup, look for Boot Logo Display or similar options, and disable the display of boot messages. This suppresses the CSM notification without changing the actual boot mode.

Whether you should act on this message depends on your goals. For modern Windows installations with Windows 10 or 11, disabling CSM improves security and boot speed. For older hardware or software, keeping CSM enabled maintains compatibility.

Troubleshooting Common CSM Issues

Computer Won’t Boot After Disabling CSM

If your system fails to start after turning off CSM, the most likely cause is an incompatible disk format. CSM allows booting from both MBR and GPT disks, but pure UEFI mode requires GPT for most operations. Your Windows installation might also be configured for legacy boot rather than UEFI boot.

To resolve this, restart and re-enter your BIOS. Re-enable CSM temporarily to restore boot functionality. Once your system boots, you have two paths forward: either keep CSM enabled if you need legacy compatibility, or convert your system disk to GPT format and reinstall Windows in UEFI mode for a permanent pure-UEFI configuration.

Can’t Find CSM Option in BIOS

This is the most common issue users face, and the solution almost always involves disabling Secure Boot first. MSI hides the CSM option when Secure Boot is active on most boards released in recent years.

Follow these steps: enter BIOS, navigate to Settings or Boot, find and disable Secure Boot, save changes and exit, re-enter BIOS, then locate the CSM option which should now be visible. If you still cannot find it, check different sections like Advanced or look for related terms like Boot Mode, UEFI Boot, or Legacy Boot.

Some newer MSI boards have reduced or removed CSM options entirely as the industry moves toward pure UEFI. If your motherboard does not show a CSM option at all, it likely supports only UEFI boot, which is the direction the industry has been heading.

Operating System Installation Issues

CSM settings directly affect operating system installation. Different scenarios require different configurations for success.

For Windows 7 or Windows 8, enable CSM and use Legacy Boot mode since those operating systems do not fully support UEFI installation. For Windows 10 or 11, disable CSM and use UEFI mode with Secure Boot for the best experience and strongest security. For Linux distributions, check your specific distribution’s documentation for UEFI or CSM requirements, as different builds have different needs.

Boot Device Not Detected

When your system does not recognize a boot device after changing CSM settings, several factors could be responsible. First, verify your boot priority settings in BIOS are configured correctly and your target device appears in the list. Second, try connecting your boot device to different SATA ports if using a traditional hard drive or SSD.

The disk format matters significantly. CSM-enabled systems can boot from MBR-formatted disks, while pure UEFI mode requires GPT formatting for proper recognition. If you switched from CSM-enabled to CSM-disabled without converting your disk, the system may not detect the boot device at all.

Depending on your device’s specifications, you might need to enable or disable CSM to resolve detection issues. Older USB drives and external drives often require CSM enabled, while newer NVMe drives typically work fine with either setting as long as the disk format matches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Understanding MSI motherboard CSM settings empowers you to configure your system exactly as your hardware and software require. Whether you need CSM enabled for older hardware or disabled for Windows 11 and Secure Boot, the steps outlined in this guide apply across all MSI BIOS variants.

The key points to remember are simple. Disable Secure Boot first to reveal the CSM option on most modern MSI boards. Use pure UEFI mode with CSM disabled for Windows 10 or 11 to get the best performance and security. Keep CSM enabled only when working with legacy hardware or software that demands it. If you encounter boot issues after changing CSM, check your disk format and verify your operating system supports the boot mode you selected.

For more guides on optimizing your MSI motherboard and navigating BIOS settings, explore our articles on MSI motherboard BIOS setup, MSI Secure Boot configuration, and enabling virtualization in MSI BIOS.