How To Access BIOS on Windows 11 MSI: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Getting into the BIOS on a Windows 11 MSI rig is kind of weird, but not impossible. Usually, people think it’s just a matter of smashing the Delete or F2 key during startup—and yeah, that still holds true most of the time. But, honestly, MSI machines can be a little stubborn about it, especially if fast boot is enabled. So, here’s what’s worked after messing around with different setups.

How to Open BIOS in Windows 11 MSI

First off, if you need to tweak hardware, change boot order, or troubleshoot, you gotta get into BIOS. The thing is, MSI sometimes ramps up the timing challenge with fast boot enabled, so you might need extra steps.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer

Start with a reboot—yes, just hit Start menu, then Power, and choose Restart. On some setups, the restart is quick, and the BIOS entry window gets even tighter because of Fast Startup (which is enabled by default on Windows 11). If that’s the case, do a full shutdown instead: Shutdown, then press the power button to turn it back on.

Step 2: Press the BIOS Key

As your machine starts up, keep a close eye or better yet, tap the Delete or F2 key immediately when the MSI logo pops up. The tricky part—timing. If you miss it, it might boot into Windows normally, and then you gotta try again.

Pro tip: On some MSI boards, the key might vary—check your manual or try F11 or ESC if the default doesn’t work. Because MSI sometimes likes to make it harder than necessary.

Oh, and here’s something weird: on some setups, pressing that key repeatedly during startup can help, especially if you’re not getting in at first try. Also, if you’ve recently enabled Fast Boot, that window gets even smaller—so disable it from Windows’ Settings > System > Power & Battery > Additional power settings > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > Shutdown settings —then uncheck Turn on fast startup. That makes BIOS entry way easier.

Step 3: Using Advanced Startup (If Alone Doesn’t Work)

If hitting the key during startup refuses to work—because Windows sometimes shortcuts that—here’s a backup plan: Open Settings, go to System > Recovery, then under Advanced startup, click Restart now. When it restarts, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. Click Restart again, and boom, your PC will boot directly into BIOS. Of course, this takes a few extra steps, but it’s quite reliable if the normal method fails.

Step 4: Navigating the BIOS Menu

Once you’re in, use the arrow keys to move around. MSI BIOS menus are kinda straightforward, but some options are tucked away—like Secure Boot or CSM. These settings can affect boot order, hardware compatibility, or overclocking. So, double-check what you’re changing—you don’t wanna brick anything.

On some machines, you’ll see a menu called Settings or Advanced. If you accidentally switch to a different profile, just load defaults by hitting F9 or navigating to the Load Optimized Defaults option. That can save your ass if you mess up.

Step 5: Save and Exit

Make your changes, then save. Usually, that’s F10, or look for Save & Exit in the menu. Expect a confirmation prompt—hit Yes. After that, your PC should reboot with the new settings applied.

Step 6: Reboot & Confirm

If it doesn’t look right afterward—say, bootloop or system instability—it might be time to revisit BIOS and reset to defaults. Just get back in and load default settings, then test again.

Note: Sometimes, after changing boot modes (like switching from UEFI to Legacy), Windows might get wonky if not done properly. Be precise, or better yet, look up your MSI motherboard manual for specific BIOS options.

Tips for Opening BIOS in Windows 11 MSI

Know your MSI motherboard model and its default BIOS key—sometimes it isn’t just F2 or Delete.
If fast startup is messing with you, disable it first. It’ll make BIOS entry way smoother.
Trying multiple times helps, especially when the timing is tight.
Use the advanced startup method if all else fails—it’s super reliable but involves more clicks.
Remember to note down any BIOS changes, especially if you’re fiddling with overclocking or security settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s that BIOS thing anyway?

It’s basically the control center for your hardware—allows you to tweak low-level stuff that Windows doesn’t usually let you mess with directly.

Why is entering BIOS so hard on some MSI computers?

Because MSI enables fast boot or Secure Boot by default, which ramps down the window for pressing those keys. Disabling fast startup can help a lot here.

Can I mess up my PC if I change BIOS settings?

Yeah, kinda. Tread carefully, especially with overclocking or security options—changing the wrong thing could cause boot issues, or worse, hardware problems.

Is resetting BIOS to defaults safe?

Absolutely, it’s often the safest move if you’re unsure. Just make sure to reconfigure anything you really need afterward.

Will changing BIOS settings break Windows 11?

If you poke around blindly, maybe. But normally, adjusting boot order or enabling/disabling features like TPM or Secure Boot won’t break Windows—unless you disable core security features.

Summary

Full shutdown if fast boot is stubborn.
Be quick pressing the BIOS key during boot—try repeatedly if needed.
If BIOS entry via key fails, use Windows advanced startup to jump directly into firmware.
Disable fast startup if you’re having trouble entering BIOS.
Make sure to save changes carefully, and keep notes on what you tweak.

Conclusion

Getting into the BIOS on a Windows 11 MSI PC isn’t always straightforward, but with some patience and the right approach, it’s doable. Whether you’re just trying to manage boot order, troubleshoot, or overclock, knowing how to trigger that BIOS menu is kinda essential. So, keep those fingers ready at restart, and don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries. MSI’s BIOS can be a little finicky sometimes, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a powerful tool for managing your system.

Fingers crossed this helps — on one setup it worked on the first shot, on another, I had to disable fast boot. Just something that worked on multiple machines.