Answer

  MSI Notebooks that come with pre-installed systems offer Backup and Recovery features. Users can use these features to restore the system back to the factory defaults or save a copy of the backup files prepared for future use.

This section shows some of the most commonly asked questions about system recovery and backup features, and guidance on how these features can be used.

  *Note: The F3 Recovery or System Backup will NOT be available if the recovery partition is removed, deleted, or modified.

- F3 Recovery: It is named “F3 Recovery” as this method works by pressing on the F3 key during system bootup to access the recovery menu for system factory setting restore.

(Ref: https://www.msi.com/faq/faq-1774)

This method restores the laptop back to the factory state in a few simple steps and does not require any external files or devices.

1.To access the recovery menu, press on the keyboard “F3” key during the system boot up.

2.Enter the Troubleshoot menu > Restore MSI factory settings.

3.The laptop will then enter the recovery environment where users can proceed to restore the system back to factory settings.

  *Note:Be sure to backup any important data and information before starting the recovery process.

Carefully read through the warning message shown on the screen as all files and setting will be reset and lost after the system restore is complete.

- System Backup & Restore: It is generally called System Backup & Restore for the different names used in each MSI Centers for the Backup and Restore feature.

System Backup and Restore is a feature in the MSI exclusive center software for MSI laptops. (some older models have the separate system backup software called BurnRecovery) This allows users to create a recovery media onto an external USB flash drive and use it to restore the system back to factory defaults.

MSI suggests users to create a backup of the factory image when first using the laptop.To use the Backup feature, make sure the supported Center software is installed; or visit MSI website to get the download link under the Utility page, and install the corresponding Center if it is not on the system.Click on the corresponding link for each Center in the table below to refer to the guides on how to create a backup recovery media.

  *Note: Skip this step if the correct Center is already installed.

The following rule will determine the supported Center on the laptop:

- Create A Restore Point:It is a feature supported by MSI Recovery. After clicking this function, the system will automatically redirect to the built-in Windows “System Protection” and “Create a Restore Point” interface.

Users can follow the steps below to create a system restore point:



1.Ensure that “System Protection” is enabled for the system drive (usually enabled by default)

2.Select the system drive (usually C:)

3.Click “Create”

4.Enter a description for the restore point

5.Click “Create” and wait for the system to complete the restore point creation  

  *Note: The system restore point is mainly used to record the current system state. It only backs up Windows system files, installed applications, drivers, and system settings, and does not include personal files (such as documents, pictures, or videos). In addition, this feature is not equivalent to a full system image backup and cannot be used for complete disk recovery or full system restoration after replacing the storage drive.

- Common Q&As:

1. What if the laptop does not come with a pre-installed system?

For laptops that do not come with an operating system, there is no recovery partition on the disk drive to create a system backup or allow the laptop to return to factory defaults. When the system is experiencing issues, select one of the methods below:

A. Clean install Windows

This method will delete all the data and files on the disk drives, ensuring that the system will be clean of viruses, corrupted files, and other items that may cause issues  in the system. MSI advises to backup all important and personal files before installing Windows.

Refer to the following video tutorial for more information.

MSI® HOW-TO clean install pure OS

Afterward, download and install the necessary drivers and utilities from the support page of the laptop at MSI.com.

B. Reset Windows

This method returns Windows to its initial state without any additional software. It does not require reinstalling Windows afresh and can be done with the original Windows.

Refer to step C on page.6 to reset Windows.

https://www.msi.com/faq/faq-1751

2.The recovery partition was accidentally deleted when installing Windows. Can the recovery partition be downloaded?

The recovery partition cannot be downloaded from MSI.com.

MSI advises to contact the local service center to have the recovery partition reinstalled. If users only wish to have the drivers and utilities installed, they can be downloaded from the support page of the laptop on MSI website.

3.The MSI Recovery or Backup feature is not working after upgrading to Windows 11.

This is due to the change in system structure in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10.

Refer to the article below to download WinRE tool and follow steps to restore the system.

https://www.msi.com/faq/faq-5211

4.The laptop has been upgraded to Windows 11. Can the Backup feature create an image of Windows 11?

All Backup features can create a backup of the factory image of the original operating system. If the laptop came with Windows 10, the recovery media will restore the laptop back to Windows 10. If the laptop comes in Windows 11, the laptop will be restored to Windows 11.

*Only laptops that support MSI Center Pro can create a recovery image of the current operating Windows system running on the laptop by using Customize Image Backup.

5.What is the difference between F3 Recovery and System Backup & Recovery?

F3 Recovery can only be used on a single laptop that came with an operating system, but the System Backup allows users to create the recovery media onto an external USB flash drive, where it can be used to restore the original laptop or other laptops of the same model back to factory settings.