Reset your MSI laptop to its factory state following these easy steps.

MSI laptops are well known and loved by the gaming community for their premium hardware and solid performance. But even the best of laptops sometimes run into some issues. Over time, you might catch some malware or deal with missing file logs, software bugs, etc., causing the system to lag or malfunction. Performing a factory reset on your MSI laptop often is the first step to troubleshoot and often solve these issues. Or, you simply might find yourself needing to remove all installed software and restore the laptop to its out-of-box state. 

Our post will walk you through the process of resetting your MSI laptop step by step.

Die-hard MSI fans may also find our other posts, Best MSI gaming laptops and MSI gaming laptops for 2021, worth checking out.

Consider This Before Formatting Your MSI Laptop

Whether you want to factory reset your MSI laptop as a preparation step before selling it or as a part of the troubleshooting process, back up your data first. You can do it with the help of an external hard drive or Cloud storage. The two of the most popular Cloud options are Google Drive and Dropbox. Both have free options, with 15GB and 2GB of storage space, respectively. 

Once you’ve backed up files and programs, it’s time to erase your laptop’s hard drive and subsequently restore the system to its factory defaults.

And if you are preparing your laptop for sale, we think you might find our Laptop Trade-in: How To properly Prepare your Device useful. 

Factory Reset MSI Laptop Step by Step

The manufacturer makes the reset process pretty easy. MSI laptops come with preloaded recovery partitions on their drives. This partition can be accessed with the help of the F3 key. Here is how to do it:

1. Connect your MSI laptop to a power source. If it is running, power it off and then back on again. 
2.  Once the MSI logo comes on, press the F3 key to enter the System Restore interface.
3. Opt for “Troubleshoot” and click Enter key.
4. Then, select “Restore MSI factory settings.”
5. After that, click on “System Partition Recovery.” The system will prompt you to erase and format the drive.
6. Click “Yes” to continue with the reset process.
7. Once the restore initiates, make sure your MSI laptop stays plugged into the power outlet. 
8. Once the reset process is completed, click “OK” to continue with the setup.
9. Lastly, select “Continue” to exit the MSI factory reset window and reboot the computer. 

Your MSI laptop is now restored to its original factory state. You should see the increase in speed and get an overall performance boost after the reset. Once you go online, make sure to check for Windows updates. Having your laptop drivers up to date ensures the machine continues to run smoothly. 

If You Intend to Keep Freshly Reset MSI Laptop

Once the laptop is factory reset and configured, you can transfer back your data and programs from backup. And that’s it: now you can go back to playing AAA games again!

However, if you intend to resell the notebook, we suggest not proceeding with the setup after the system restore. Keeping it as it is will allow the new owner to configure the system how they like it. 

Final Words

Resetting your laptop to factory settings is an effective way to troubleshoot bugs and software issues. For instance, a system reset will erase unnecessary malware and unwanted programs from your computer’s storage drive. But remember to backup all your documents, photos, passwords, etc., using a Cloud storage service or an external drive. And remember: if you ever decide to part ways with your device, go for an MSI laptop trade in with Gadget Salvation! We give real-time price estimates, offer free shipping and quick payments.

Furthermore, our database is not limited to laptops! We also accept smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and more. So head over to our home page and start selling your unwanted tech today!