How to Make MSI Boot from USB | Best Tutorial?

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Sherly 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on May 08, 2024

MSI (Micro-Star International) laptops are renowned for providing an unparalleled gaming experience. When you encounter issues like an MSI laptop with a black screen or it's not functioning as intended, attempting to boot from a USB drive can be helpful. Booting from USB on an MSI motherboard can avoid crashes and prevent unsuccessful booting scenarios.

In this tutorial, tools Software will instruct you on how to boot your MSI from a USB drive on Windows 11/10. We also offer some additional troubleshooting tips to assist you in resolving the issue of being unable to boot MSI from a bootable USB.

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Preparations for MSI Boot from USB

If you wish to boot your computer from a USB drive and install Windows on your MSI laptop, follow these preparatory steps to ensure a smooth boot process:

Stage 1. Prepare the USB

Please ensure you have at least 16GB of free space on the USB and format it to FAT32: Format USB to FAT32.

1. Right-click on the Windows icon and choose "Disk Management." 2. Locate the USB drive, right-click on it, select "Format," and set the file system to FAT32.

Stage 2. Create a Bootable Windows USB

There are two methods for creating a bootable USB drive for Windows:

Create Bootable Installation USB: If you intend to install Windows from a USB drive to resolve issues like system crashes or boot errors, download the Windows ISO file and then burn it onto a USB drive. Create Bootable USB: If your goal is to boot a computer using MSI without actually installing Windows, you can create a bootable USB drive by cloning your existing Windows system to the USB. Alternatively, you can utilize a Windows installation tool or a third-party software to create a bootable USB.

Regardless of your reason for wanting to create a bootable USB, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide:

Guide 1: Creating a Bootable Installation USB

Often, when the system crashes, we require bootable media to access it. In such cases, we recommend using Professional Partition Master Tool to create bootable installation media and subsequently reinstall the Windows OS on MSI.

Download the Windows ISO file: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

下载ISO刻录工具：

This tool provides user-friendly methods, so even if you are a beginner, you can easily master the operational skills.

步骤创建可启动的安装USB驱动器：

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and go to the Bootable Media section. Click "Burn ISO" and then click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the ISO image you've downloaded on your computer and click "Open".

Step 3. Click "Next" and choose the target USB drive as the destination, then click "Burn" to perform the task.

Guide 2. Creating a Bootable USB Drive

To create a bootable drive, you can utilize tools like Partition Master to migrate the Windows OS to a USB.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, go to the Disk Clone tab, and select "Clone OS Disk". Then, click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the target new drive where you wish to clone the OS to, and click "Next".

Click "Yes" to confirm that you want to proceed with the OS disk cloning process.

Step 3. Review the disk layout, then click "Start" to begin the OS cloning process.

Step 4. When the process is complete, you'll see a confirmation message asking if you want to start your computer from the clone target disk.

• Reboot Now means to restart your PC and set the computer to boot the operating system from the new disk immediately.
• Done means you want to apply the changes at a later time.

 

Additionally, you can also utilize OS2Go, a program specifically designed for creating Windows bootable media.

Read more: How to create a bootable USB

Once you've completed the steps above, proceed further, and we'll use the bootable USB to boot your MSI laptop now. If you find this guide helpful, please share it with others who might need it.

How to Boot from USB on an MSI Motherboard

In this section, we present a comprehensive step-by-step guide to boot your MSI laptop from USB in five stages: 1. **Prepare the USB Drive**: First, you need to create a bootable USB drive by downloading the appropriate ISO image for your operating system (e.g., Windows, Linux, or macOS). Use software tools like Rufus, balenaEtcher, or Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to write the ISO image onto the USB drive. 2. **Enable USB Boot in BIOS**: Power off your MSI laptop and turn it back on. Press the designated key (usually F2, F10, or Del) repeatedly during startup to enter the BIOS settings. The specific key may vary depending on the model; refer to your laptop's user manual for guidance. 3. **Change Boot Order**: In the BIOS menu, navigate to the "Boot" or "Startup" tab. Locate the "Boot Priority" or "Boot Order" setting, and use the arrow keys to move the "USB Device" or "Removable Devices" option to the top of the list. This ensures that your laptop will attempt to boot from the USB drive first. 4. **Save and Exit**: Once the changes are made, save the new configuration (usually by pressing F10 and confirming with 'Yes') and exit the BIOS. Your laptop will now restart and begin searching for the bootable USB drive. 5. **Boot from USB**: If everything is set up correctly, your MSI laptop should detect the USB drive and start the installation process of the operating system. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. Remember to safely remove the USB drive after the installation is finished to prevent accidental damage to your laptop.

Stage 1. Access the Boot Device Menu

1️⃣. Open the laptop and when the MSI logo appears, press F11 repeatedly.

2️⃣. Access the boot menu and choose the bootable USB flash drive.

Stage 2. Select Boot from the USB

1️⃣. Locate the bootable USB drive in the boot menu and select it.

2️⃣. Press Enter to begin booting the MSI laptop from the USB drive.

Stage 3. Configure MSI to Boot from USB

1️⃣. Restart the MSI laptop.

2️⃣. After the MSI logo appears, press F11 repeatedly to open the Boot menu.

3️⃣. In the Boot menu, choose Boot from USB under the Set Boot option.

4️⃣. Press Enter to start booting the MSI laptop from the USB drive.

Stage 4. Enable MSI to Boot from USB This stage involves configuring your MSI (Micro-Star International) computer to boot from a USB drive. Here's a general guide on how to do it: 1. **Insert the USB Drive**: Plug in the USB drive containing the bootable operating system or installation media into one of your MSI computer's USB ports. 2. **Enter BIOS Setup**: Restart your MSI computer and quickly press the BIOS entry key, which is usually F2 or DEL, depending on the model. It may also be displayed on the screen during the initial startup. 3. **BIOS Interface**: Once inside the BIOS, navigate to the "Boot" or "Startup" menu. This is where you can manage the boot order of your system. 4. **Change Boot Order**: Look for an option like "Boot Priority," "Boot Sequence," or "Boot Device Configuration." Using the arrow keys, move the USB drive to the top of the list, ensuring that your computer will attempt to boot from the USB first. 5. **Save and Exit**: After making the changes, save them (usually by pressing F10 and confirming with 'Yes') and exit the BIOS setup. Your MSI computer will now restart and attempt to boot from the USB drive. 6. **Installation Process**: If everything is set up correctly, the installation process should begin automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the OS installation. Remember that specific steps might vary depending on your MSI model and the version of its BIOS. Consult your computer's manual or MSI's official website for more detailed instructions if needed.

Once you have successfully set USB as a bootable drive, you can use it to boot your computer:

1️⃣. Turn off the MSI computer.

2️⃣. Press and hold the Esc key and the Power button to start up the MSI.

3️⃣. Continue holding down the Esc key until the BIOS SETUP UTILITY screen appears.

4️⃣ Under the Boot option, select the USB drive and press and hold Enter to boot the MSI system from USB.

Stage 5. Adjust Boot Priority in MSI BIOS This stage involves modifying the boot order in the MSI (Micro-Star International) BIOS to ensure that your computer boots from the desired device, such as a USB drive or an optical disk, for installation or troubleshooting purposes. 1. **Reboot your computer:** Turn off your MSI computer and turn it back on. As it starts up, press the designated key to enter the BIOS. The key is usually displayed on the screen during the initial boot process, often F2, F10, DELETE, or ESC. 2. **Enter BIOS Setup:** Once you've pressed the correct key, the BIOS setup utility will load. Here, you'll see different sections like 'Main,' 'Advanced,' 'Boot,' or 'System Configuration.' 3. **Locate the Boot Menu:** Navigate to the 'Boot' or 'Boot Configuration' tab using the arrow keys. This menu lists all possible devices that your computer can boot from. 4. **Change Boot Priority:** Find the option for 'Boot Order' or 'Boot Priority Order.' Using the arrow keys, move the device you want to boot from (e.g., USB, CD/DVD) to the top of the list. This ensures your computer will attempt to boot from that device first. 5. **Save and Exit:** After adjusting the boot priority, save the changes by pressing F10 (or the corresponding key indicated on-screen) and confirm the selection when prompted. Your computer will then restart with the updated boot order. 6. **Boot from the chosen device:** If everything is set correctly, your computer should now boot from the selected device. Follow the on-screen instructions for the installation or troubleshooting process. Remember to change the boot order back to your primary boot device (usually the hard drive) after you're done with the task to avoid any inconvenience during regular use.

Now that you've booted your MSI laptop from the USB drive, the next step involves modifying the boot priority. By configuring the boot order in the BIOS, you can permanently set the USB drive as the top priority. This means that whenever a USB is present, the system will boot from it first. If no USB is detected, the system will proceed to boot from the second item in the boot sequence.

1️⃣. Turn on your MSI notebook and press Del/F2 repeatedly.

2️⃣. Access the MSI BIOS setup menu.

3️⃣. Set the boot order for the USB:

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Press F7 to switch to the advanced mode interface, then select Settings > Boot, and set USB as Boot Option 1.

4️⃣. After configuring the boot priority for your MSI laptop, press F10 to save the changes and exit the BIOS.

If you wish to reinstall Windows using the created bootable USB, please follow the aforementioned steps to set the USB as the boot order and refer to the following article for guidance on reinstalling Windows.

How to Install Windows 10 from USB Drive

This tutorial focuses on installing Windows 10 from a USB drive. When your computer doesn't have an OS installation CD, you can use tools like Partition Master or Windows Media Creation Tool to install Windows 10.

Bonus Tip: Fix Unable to Boot MSI from Bootable USB 额外提示：修复无法从可引导USB启动MSI的问题

It's not complicated to use tools like Partition Master to burn the Windows ISO to USB. After that, you can configure the USB boot sequence on an MSI laptop to boot from USB. However, there might be instances when the BIOS fails to recognize the MSI bootable USB. Why does this happen? Let's explore some quick troubleshooting steps:

1. Firstly, please inspect the cables and power supply board, and address any other hardware issues, such as damage to the USB port or corruption of the USB drive.

2. Disable Fast Boot and Safe Boot: These settings can prevent the detection of USB devices or block booting with an unauthorized device.

3. Different system configurations: The target system of the USB (Legacy/CSM/UEFI) and its partition style (MBR/GPT) must align with your current system configuration. If the partition style is mismatched, please convert between MBR and GPT accordingly.

4. Outdated BIOS: You can resolve the unbootable USB issue by updating the BIOS.

5. Furthermore, resetting the CMOS battery can clear all non-default BIOS settings and might enable your MSI system to boot.

6. Failure in creating a bootable USB: Please use a professional tool to create a bootable USB.

Hope these tips can resolve your issue! And if you find this tutorial helpful, please don't hesitate to share it with others.

Conclusion

If your MSI laptop encounters a system crash and fails to boot, you can attempt to boot from a USB flash drive and reinstall the Windows operating system. The tool Partition Master offers two methods for creating bootable installation media via USB. Furthermore, this tutorial provides swift solutions if the bootable USB you've created does not show up in the BIOS.

Frequently Asked Questions About Booting MSI From USB

This section will provide further information on booting MSI from a USB drive. Continue reading to address more of your concerns.

< strong > 1. How to boot into MSI BIOS?

The MSI motherboard BIOS governs the boot process. If you are acquainted with the MSI boot menu key, you can readily access the BIOS:

重启计算机并在系统启动时按住Delete/F2进入BIOS。

After changing the BIOS settings, press Esc to save the changes and exit.

< strong > 2. How to boot Windows 10 from USB on MSI?

Before booting from the USB, please set it as the bootable media and connect it to your MSI computer.

Step 1. Restart your computer and press Delete repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup.

Step 2. In the BIOS setup, navigate to the Boot tab and select UEFI.

Step 3. After saving the settings, restart your device and press "F11" repeatedly to access the boot menu.

3. How to install Windows from USB on an MSI device?

Please use Partition Master to create bootable installation media first, and then boot from the installation CD.

Step 1. Restart your computer, enter the boot menu when the MSI logo appears, and select Boot from USB.

Step 2. Set the language, date, etc., and click Next.

Step 3. Choose Install Now and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the installation.