To update the BIOS on an MSI motherboard, download the firmware for your exact model, copy the extracted package to a FAT32 USB drive, and run M-FLASH from BIOS setup. Restart your PC and repeatedly press Delete during startup to enter setup. After selecting the BIOS file in M-FLASH, keep power connected and let the update and automatic restart finish.
These steps cover MSI retail desktop motherboards. For the standard M-FLASH route, your system must be able to start with its installed CPU and memory. A board equipped with a Flash BIOS Button can update without a CPU or RAM, while supported models also offer BIOS updates through MSI Center.
The short version
- Match the model: Download firmware for the complete motherboard name, including suffixes such as WIFI, MAX, DDR4 or DDR5.
- Prepare first: Preserve your BitLocker recovery key or suspend BitLocker as appropriate, and maintain uninterrupted power.
- Use M-FLASH: Put the extracted BIOS folder on a FAT32 USB drive, enter BIOS with Delete, and select M-FLASH.
- Use the button when needed: On equipped boards, the Flash BIOS Button uses a file named
MSI.ROMin the designated rear USB port.
| Method or download location | When to use it | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|
| M-FLASH from BIOS | A board with M-FLASH that can start | Matching firmware on a FAT32 USB drive |
| Ctrl + F5 shortcut | Supported boards, including Z890 and X870/X870E | Matching firmware on a FAT32 USB drive of 32GB or less |
| Flash BIOS Button | CPU compatibility updates or recovery when the PC cannot boot | Physical button and designated flash USB port |
| MSI Center on Intel 800 series | A supported board running Windows | An offered BIOS package under Advance |
| MSI Center on AMD AM5 | A supported board using the AM5 interface | An offered BIOS package under Advanced, or Advance on AMD 800 series |
| Motherboard BIOS download page | Getting firmware for a USB update | The exact motherboard model |
| MSI Center download page | Getting the Windows application | A compatible product and motherboard support for BIOS updates |
Prepare your PC before updating
Before starting, preserve your BitLocker recovery key or suspend BitLocker as appropriate. Keep the computer connected to uninterrupted power throughout the update. If your PC loses power unexpectedly, troubleshoot a PC that randomly shuts off before beginning a firmware update.
Choose the update route that matches your hardware. Use M-FLASH when your board supports it and the system starts with its installed CPU and memory. If it cannot boot, use the button procedure only when your motherboard physically has a Flash BIOS Button and a designated flash USB port.
Download the BIOS for your exact motherboard
On MSI's US website, search for your complete motherboard model and open its Download or Support page. Select BIOS, then download the appropriate package. Read that package's installation requirements before you flash it.
Match the entire model name, including WIFI, MAX, DDR4 or DDR5 when those suffixes apply. The MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK WIFI download page is one model's download location; use it only for that board. For another model, open that model's own page before downloading firmware.
Prepare your USB drive
Prepare a FAT32 USB drive and preserve anything you need from it before formatting, because formatting erases its contents. If Windows cannot complete the format, fix USB drive formatting problems before continuing. For M-FLASH on Intel 800 series and AMD 800 series boards, MSI specifies a drive of 32GB or less, whether you open it from BIOS setup or with the direct startup shortcut described below.
For M-FLASH, extract the downloaded BIOS ZIP, then copy the extracted folder to the USB drive's root, meaning its top level. Connect the drive to the PC you are updating. The Flash BIOS Button procedure has different preparation steps and requires the extracted BIOS file to be renamed MSI.ROM.
Install the update through BIOS setup
Restart the computer and repeatedly press Delete during startup. On Intel 800 series boards, MSI notes that you cannot enter BIOS setup while MSI Fast Boot is enabled, so disable it in MSI Center first. If you need help entering setup, follow the steps to get to BIOS on a Windows PC. The BIOS layout varies by motherboard and firmware version, but the update option to select is M-FLASH.
On Intel 800 series boards equipped with a Multi-BIOS switch, select the target BIOS ROM before starting M-FLASH. Select M-FLASH, then click Yes to enter the flashing environment. Choose your USB drive, open the extracted folder, and select the BIOS file. Press Enter, then select Yes to confirm the update.
Leave the USB drive connected and keep power on while the update runs. Allow the automatic restart to finish without interrupting it.
Use the direct startup shortcut on supported boards
On supported boards, you can enter M-FLASH during startup by pressing Ctrl + F5. MSI documents this shortcut for Intel 800 series and explicitly lists Z890 and X870/X870E models. For another motherboard, confirm shortcut support in its manual or use the BIOS setup route.
Connect a FAT32 USB drive of 32GB or less containing the matching extracted BIOS package. During the startup self-test, press Ctrl + F5, then click Yes. In M-FLASH File, select the BIOS file and press Enter.
At File Check, click Yes to proceed. Wait for flashing and the automatic restart to finish, keeping power and the USB drive connected throughout.
Update with the Flash BIOS Button
The Flash BIOS Button route works only on MSI motherboards equipped with that physical button and a designated flash USB port. CPU and RAM are not required for this method. You can use it for a CPU compatibility update or recovery when the computer cannot boot.
Prepare a FAT32 USB drive, remembering that formatting erases its contents, and click OK if prompted after formatting. Download and extract the BIOS for your exact board. Rename the extracted BIOS file to MSI.ROM, click Yes if asked to confirm the filename change, and copy the file to the USB drive's root.
Connect the power supply's CPU power cable to the motherboard connector labeled CPU_PWR1 and connect its 24-pin motherboard power cable. Insert the prepared USB drive into the rear USB port labeled BIOS. Press the Flash BIOS Button to begin. Wait until the flashing indicator turns off, keeping power connected throughout.
Update through MSI Center on supported boards
For a supported motherboard running Windows, download the application from the official MSI Center page by selecting Download, then install it. Make sure the LAN driver and internet connection work, and close other applications. Continue with this route only when MSI Center offers a BIOS package for your detected motherboard.
On supported Intel 800 series boards, open Support > Live Update > Advance. Select the BIOS file and click Install. At the installation reminder, click Install again, then let the system restart, flash the BIOS and restart once more.
On supported AMD AM5 boards, open Support > Live Update > Advanced, or Advance on AMD 800 series boards. Select the BIOS file, click Install, and click Install at the reminder. Allow both automatic restarts and the BIOS flash to finish without interrupting power.
Fix problems before flashing
If you cannot locate the BIOS file in M-FLASH, check that you extracted the ZIP and copied the extracted folder to the USB drive's root. Also check that you downloaded the package for your complete motherboard model.
If the Flash BIOS Button update does not start, check the exact board package, FAT32 format, MSI.ROM filename, root location and designated USB port before trying again. Check that both required motherboard power connections are in place.
In MSI Center, the final tab's spelling varies with the motherboard and app version, so check the applicable Advance or Advanced tab. If the app does not offer a BIOS package for your model, use M-FLASH on a board that supports it and can start with its installed CPU and memory.
Confirm the installed BIOS version
Once the update and automatic restart are complete, repeatedly press Delete during startup to enter BIOS setup again. Check the displayed BIOS version against the package you selected to confirm the installed version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a retail MSI motherboard BIOS on a prebuilt PC?
For a prebuilt or OEM system, follow the system-specific firmware instructions. Do not assume that a retail motherboard BIOS package applies to it.
Does clearing CMOS update the BIOS?
Clearing CMOS resets settings rather than installing firmware. Loading defaults also resets settings, so neither action installs a BIOS update.
Is GO2BIOS another way to flash the BIOS?
GO2BIOS is an optional power-button route into BIOS setup documented for Intel 800 series boards. You use it to enter setup, not as a separate flashing method.
Can you follow MSI laptop Windows Update instructions for a retail motherboard?
MSI's Windows Update BIOS procedure for notebooks applies to notebooks. For your retail desktop motherboard, follow the firmware instructions for its exact model.
Why do older MSI instructions mention Dragon Center or Live Update 6?
Those workflows appear in older motherboard instructions, including Dragon Center in the MEG Z490 ACE manual. MSI's current Intel 800 series and AM5 BIOS guides document MSI Center instead, so use the instructions that match your motherboard.