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For an MSI Claw that shipped with Windows, connect the charger before first activation, complete Windows setup, connect to Wi-Fi, and use MSI Center M > News and Updates > Scan for Claw drivers and BIOS firmware. Windows Update runs separately in Settings > Windows Update. Do not reinstall Windows unless your unit shipped without an operating system, such as a FreeDOS configuration, or you intentionally need a clean installation.
BIOS updates are model-specific. MSI’s update notice for several Claw models requires MSI Center M to be updated before the BIOS; installing the BIOS first can make Quick Settings malfunction. Confirm the notice for your exact model and region before starting, keep the handheld on AC power, and allow every restart to finish.
Identify your Claw’s starting state
The correct procedure depends on whether Windows is already installed. Treat these as separate workflows rather than assuming every Claw needs a fresh operating-system installation.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Device state | What to do first | Update route |
|---|---|---|
| Windows came preinstalled | Connect power and complete the normal Windows out-of-box setup. | MSI Center M for MSI drivers, firmware and BIOS; Windows Settings for Windows updates. |
| FreeDOS or another no-Windows configuration | Install Windows with an external display, keyboard and mouse available through a suitable USB-C dock. | After Windows setup, run MSI One Touch Install, then repeatedly check Windows Update. |
| Existing installation that needs a clean reinstall | Back up personal files and confirm that a reinstall is genuinely necessary. | Use MSI’s FreeDOS/manual-install procedure rather than treating a reinstall as routine maintenance. |
MSI’s manual-install guidance is intended for computers and handhelds supplied without Windows. A Claw that already includes Windows does not need this process merely to receive drivers, BIOS firmware or Windows patches. Reinstalling unnecessarily can remove applications, personal files and settings, so first try the normal update paths and MSI support guidance.
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Prepare before first activation
- Connect the supplied power cord first. MSI’s Claw walkthrough instructs you to connect power before activation, then lightly press the power button: MSI Claw Walkthrough.
- Have the Wi-Fi password and the Microsoft or local account details you intend to use ready. Windows may request account, region, language and keyboard choices during the out-of-box experience.
- Check the exact Claw model and the regional MSI support site. BIOS files are not interchangeable just because two handhelds share the Claw name. Record the model as displayed on the device, its packaging or MSI software before downloading anything.
- If you are installing Windows on a FreeDOS unit, arrange a USB-C dock rated for at least 65 W power delivery, plus an external keyboard and mouse. The dock is for this installation scenario; it is not required for normal updates on a working, preinstalled system.
- Use a stable wireless connection for downloads and avoid starting a firmware update when the battery is low or you expect to be away from AC power.
Set up an MSI Claw that already has Windows
- Start the device on external power. With the charger connected, press the power button lightly.
- Complete Windows Out-of-Box Experience. Follow the on-screen prompts for region, language, keyboard layout, network and account settings as they appear on your edition of Windows. Let each setup stage complete instead of repeatedly powering off the handheld.
- Connect to Wi-Fi. MSI’s walkthrough describes choosing a network from the Wi-Fi control on the MSI Center M home page. If the first-run wizard requests a connection earlier, connect there and continue. A working connection is needed to obtain current packages.
- Open MSI Center M. Press the MSI button, or launch MSI Center M from the Windows system tray. If the application is not visible immediately after first boot, finish Windows setup and allow the desktop to load before looking for it.
- Run the MSI update scan. Open News and Updates, choose Scan, and review the offered Claw drivers and BIOS firmware. MSI documents this as the normal software-update path in its Claw gaming settings and update FAQ.
- Read the update notice. Check whether MSI requires a particular MSI Center M version or installation order for your model. Do not treat a notification for another Claw as applicable to yours.
- Install the offered packages. Keep the Claw connected to power and use a stable network. Do not close MSI Center M while an update is being applied. Avoid pressing buttons or forcing a shutdown during firmware writing.
- Restart when requested. A restart may be part of installing MSI Center M, a driver or BIOS. Allow the restart to complete, then open MSI Center M again if another scan is required.
- Run Windows Update separately. Open Settings > Windows Update, select the option to check for updates, install what Windows offers, and restart when required. MSI Center M does not replace Windows Update.
After the first update cycle, perform another scan if MSI Center M reports that additional packages became available after a restart. This is especially useful when a required application update must precede a firmware package.
Follow the required MSI Center M-before-BIOS order
Do not assume that the BIOS should be installed first. MSI’s notice for MSI Center M version 2.0.2509.1201 covers the Claw A1M, Claw 7 AI+, Claw 8 AI+ and Claw A8 models and says to update MSI Center M before applying the BIOS. The notice warns that installing the BIOS first may cause Quick Settings to malfunction: MSI Center M v2.0.2509.1201 update notice.
That model list and sequencing requirement can change with later releases. Before every BIOS operation, read the current notice for the exact Claw model, edition and region shown on MSI’s support pages. If the notice requires a newer MSI Center M version, install that version, reboot if requested, then return to News and Updates and rescan for firmware.
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- Verify the model name and regional support page.
- Read the release notes and any order-of-installation warning.
- Connect AC power and use a reliable internet connection for the download.
- Close unrelated applications, but do not close MSI Center M during the firmware process.
- Do not press the power button, disconnect power or force a restart while the BIOS is being written.
- Allow the requested restart to complete before judging whether the update succeeded.
- After Windows returns, open MSI Center M and confirm that the package is no longer offered or that its installed status is shown.
Find the right BIOS and driver files manually
Use MSI’s support portal to search for the exact model, then select the regional site that matches your device. The portal provides categories for handheld PCs and lists BIOS, drivers, firmware and utilities: MSI Global downloads.
Manual downloads are useful when MSI Center M cannot complete a scan or when you need to inspect release notes before deployment. They do not remove the need to match the model. Never copy a BIOS image from another Claw variant and never use an unverified third-party driver repository. If MSI Center M offers a package for your identified model, that documented route is generally less error-prone than selecting files by name alone.
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| Decision | Preferred action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Routine driver or firmware maintenance | MSI Center M > News and Updates > Scan | MSI documents this as the Claw’s normal update workflow. |
| Need to inspect release notes or recover when the scan is unavailable | Use the exact-model MSI regional support page | It exposes model-specific packages and warnings. |
| Considering a file from another Claw model | Do not install it | Model matching is required for BIOS and driver compatibility. |
The regional page is also where you should look for model-specific cautions, rather than relying on a version number copied from a forum post or a search result. A BIOS release date or filename shown for one region is not proof that it is the latest package for every Claw.
Enter BIOS Setup on the MSI Claw
The Claw has no built-in physical keyboard, so do not rely on a notebook’s usual Delete or F2 assumption. MSI’s documented shortcut is RB + RT.
- Power the Claw off completely.
- Press the power button.
- When the MSI logo appears, press and hold RB and RT together.
- Keep holding until BIOS Setup opens, then release the buttons.
MSI states in its walkthrough, “Pressing RB+RT on your device will bring you to the BIOS settings.” The same procedure is described in MSI’s FAQ about entering BIOS settings on the MSI Claw. If Windows starts normally, shut down and try again, beginning the button combination at the logo rather than after the Windows spinner appears. The shortcut is for entering setup; it does not by itself install an update.
Install Windows manually on a FreeDOS Claw
Use this branch only when the handheld was supplied without Windows or you deliberately need a clean installation. MSI recommends a USB-C docking station with at least 65 W power delivery and an external keyboard and mouse for the installation. The dock provides the ports and power headroom needed while you work; it is not a general requirement for MSI Center M or Windows Update.
- Connect the dock and peripherals. Use a dock rated for 65 W or more, attach the external keyboard and mouse, and keep the Claw connected to power. Confirm that the dock supplies the connections needed for your Windows installation media and display, if one is required.
- Install Windows. Follow the Windows installation prompts for language, region, keyboard, storage and account settings. The exact screens vary by Windows release and installation media. A clean installation can remove existing data, so verify backups and the intended target before accepting storage changes.
- Finish the first-run setup. Connect to a network and complete the Windows out-of-box experience.
- Run MSI One Touch Install. MSI’s FreeDOS guidance places this step before additional Windows updating so the required MSI drivers and applications are installed first.
- Open Settings > Windows Update. Check for updates, install them, restart when asked, and check again. Repeat until Windows reports that the system is fully up to date.
- Return to MSI Center M. Once the MSI applications are present, use its News and Updates > Scan route for Claw-specific packages and follow any model-specific BIOS order.
MSI recommends this order because it establishes an environment using MSI-tested drivers and applications before Windows adds further updates. The complete MSI procedure is documented in its FAQ for installing Windows on an MSI laptop or handheld with FreeDOS.
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Use Windows Update correctly
Windows Update is independent of MSI Center M. In Windows 11, open Settings, choose Windows Update, and select the check-for-updates control. Install cumulative updates, security updates and optional driver packages according to your normal maintenance policy, then restart if Windows requests it.
On a newly installed FreeDOS system, checking once is not enough: MSI specifically instructs users to repeat the process until the device is fully current. A restart can reveal additional updates, so check again after each requested reboot. On a Claw that shipped with Windows, use the same Settings path as regular maintenance rather than reinstalling the operating system.
Troubleshoot common setup and update problems
MSI Center M shows no update
- Confirm that Windows has completed its initial setup and that the Claw is online.
- Open MSI Center M from the MSI button or system tray, go to News and Updates, and select Scan again.
- Restart Windows if the application or a previous package requested it, then scan again.
- Check MSI’s support page for the exact model and region in case a package is listed manually.
Quick Settings behaves incorrectly after a BIOS update
For the models covered by MSI’s version 2.0.2509.1201 notice, installing BIOS before MSI Center M can cause Quick Settings to malfunction. Recheck the notice, bring MSI Center M to the required version first, restart if prompted, and then follow the current model-specific firmware sequence. Do not repeat the BIOS installation with an unrelated model file. If the issue remains, record the model, MSI Center M version and BIOS version for MSI support.
The BIOS screen will not open
Because the Claw lacks a physical keyboard, use the handheld controls: start the power-on sequence and hold RB + RT as soon as the MSI logo appears. Releasing the buttons too early or starting after Windows begins loading can result in a normal boot. Power off fully and try the timing again rather than repeatedly pressing notebook keyboard shortcuts.
An update appears stuck
Keep the device connected to power, do not close the update application, and do not force a shutdown while firmware is being written. If the process completes and requests a restart, allow the restart, then return to MSI Center M and check the installed state. If the application reports an error, record the exact model and message before consulting MSI support rather than trying a BIOS intended for another Claw.
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Windows was reinstalled unnecessarily
A preinstalled Windows Claw does not need a manual reinstall to receive MSI drivers, BIOS firmware or Windows patches. Use MSI Center M and Windows Update first; reserve the FreeDOS procedure for a no-Windows unit or a deliberate clean installation.
The device loses network access during setup
Complete the available Windows setup steps, restore a stable Wi-Fi connection, and then run MSI Center M’s scan. Do not substitute an unverified driver package simply because a download failed once. The exact-model MSI support page is the appropriate fallback when the application cannot retrieve a package.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Performance settings that are not required for setup
MSI notes that Windows Memory integrity and Virtual Machine Platform can reduce gaming performance in some games. New Windows 11 installations enable these security-related features by default. Disabling them reduces security protection, and MSI advises caution; they remain disabled until you manually enable them again.
These settings are optional performance troubleshooting, not steps in Claw activation, BIOS updating or driver maintenance. Keep the protections enabled unless you have a specific compatibility or performance reason, understand the security trade-off and are prepared to restore them. Do not disable Windows security features merely because a setup checklist mentions gaming performance.
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Quick reference
| Task | Path or control |
|---|---|
| Start a new Windows-equipped Claw | Connect power, press the power button, complete Windows setup. |
| Connect to wireless networking | Windows setup or the Wi-Fi control on the MSI Center M home page. |
| Find MSI drivers and BIOS firmware | MSI Center M > News and Updates > Scan. |
| Check Windows patches | Settings > Windows Update. |
| Open BIOS Setup | Power on, then hold RB + RT at the MSI logo. |
| Manual Windows installation hardware | USB-C dock rated at least 65 W, plus external keyboard and mouse. |
| Manual-install update order | Install Windows, run One Touch Install, then repeat Settings > Windows Update checks. |
| Model verification | Use the exact Claw model and matching regional MSI support page. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reinstall Windows on an MSI Claw that came with Windows?
No. Complete the normal Windows setup, use MSI Center M for Claw drivers and BIOS firmware, and use Settings > Windows Update for Windows patches. MSI’s manual installation process is for FreeDOS or other no-Windows units, or for a deliberate clean installation.
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How do I update MSI Claw drivers and BIOS?
Open MSI Center M, choose News and Updates, and select Scan. Review the model-specific packages, read any sequencing warning, keep the Claw on AC power, and allow requested restarts. MSI’s documented routine path is MSI Center M rather than an unverified third-party driver site.
Should I update the BIOS before MSI Center M?
Not necessarily. MSI’s notice for MSI Center M 2.0.2509.1201 requires MSI Center M first for the Claw A1M, Claw 7 AI+, Claw 8 AI+ and Claw A8, warning that BIOS-first installation may make Quick Settings malfunction. Check the current notice for your exact model and region.
How do I enter BIOS on an MSI Claw without a keyboard?
Power the device on and, when the MSI logo appears, press and hold RB and RT together until BIOS Setup opens. If Windows boots, shut down and retry the combination at the logo.
Is a 65 W USB-C dock required for every MSI Claw update?
No. MSI’s 65 W-or-higher dock recommendation applies to manual Windows installation on a FreeDOS or similar no-Windows handheld, together with an external keyboard and mouse. Routine MSI Center M and Windows Update maintenance on a working Windows installation does not require that dock.
What should I do if MSI Center M finds no updates?
Confirm Windows setup is complete and the Claw is online, open MSI Center M from the MSI button or system tray, and run News and Updates > Scan again. Restart if requested, then check the exact-model regional MSI support page if the scan still cannot retrieve a package.
Can I use a BIOS file from another Claw model?
No. Match the exact model and regional MSI support page. Similar product names do not make BIOS images interchangeable, and MSI’s documented update route is safer than selecting a file by filename alone.
Should I disable Memory integrity or Virtual Machine Platform during setup?
No. MSI says these Windows 11 security features can reduce performance in some games but warns that disabling them reduces protection. They are optional performance troubleshooting settings, not required steps for activation, BIOS updates or driver maintenance.
The Bottom Line
For a Windows-equipped MSI Claw, connect power, finish Windows setup, run MSI Center M > News and Updates > Scan, follow the current model-specific MSI Center M-before-BIOS instruction, and handle Windows patches in Settings > Windows Update. Use RB + RT at the MSI logo to enter BIOS. Reserve the 65 W USB-C dock, external keyboard and mouse, and One Touch Install sequence for manual Windows installation on a FreeDOS or deliberately reinstalled device.
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