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MSI confirmed a cyberattack on part of its information systems on April 7, 2023, and urged customers to download firmware and BIOS updates only from MSI’s official website. The notice did not establish that customers’ installed firmware was compromised. For an MSI notebook update, use the support page and instructions for your exact model; MSI also documents Windows Update for eligible notebooks.

Was MSI hacked?

Yes. In a statement dated April 7, 2023, MSI said it had suffered a cyberattack on part of its information systems. The company said it detected “network anomalies,” activated defensive measures, began recovery measures, and reported the incident to government law-enforcement agencies and cybersecurity units. MSI said affected systems gradually resumed normal operations and reported no significant impact on its financial business. Read MSI’s April 7 statement.

The statement did not provide a complete account of the attack’s scope. SecurityWeek reported on April 10, 2023, that MSI had not specified the attack type or mentioned data theft. The outlet also reported that the ransomware group Money Message claimed access to internal databases, private keys, source code, and BIOS firmware, and claimed it could create and sign malicious BIOS images. Those are claims attributed to the group, not independently established findings. The sources cited here do not settle the full extent of access, whether data was exfiltrated, or whether customer firmware was compromised. SecurityWeek’s report.

Is it safe to download MSI BIOS updates?

MSI’s instruction is to obtain firmware and BIOS updates only from its official website, not from other sources. That is guidance about verifying the source of an update; it is not evidence that a particular computer’s installed firmware was affected by the 2023 incident. Do not use firmware files found on file-sharing sites, forums, or other unofficial sources.

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Where do I download BIOS for my MSI laptop?

Use MSI’s support page for the exact notebook model. MSI’s notebook BIOS guide, last updated July 21, 2026, describes this manual route:

  1. Go to MSI’s official website and search for the exact laptop model.
  2. Open that model’s support page, then select Drivers & Downloads and the BIOS tab.
  3. Choose the BIOS package that applies to the notebook. Read its release notes to see whether it addresses your issue.
  4. For the documented manual method, extract the downloaded ZIP and copy the files to the root directory of a FAT32-formatted USB flash drive.

Do not use instructions or files intended for a different model or product family. MSI’s procedure cited here is for notebooks; it should not be assumed to apply to MSI desktop systems or motherboards. Consult MSI’s notebook BIOS update guide and the support page for your device.

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Do I need a USB drive to update my MSI BIOS?

Not necessarily. MSI documents two official notebook routes: a manual BIOS-menu procedure that uses a FAT32 USB drive, and Windows Update for notebooks offered a “Micro-Star International Firmware” optional update. MSI says both methods install official MSI BIOS firmware. Windows Update availability depends on the notebook model, its current BIOS version, and rollout timing; if the firmware item is absent, MSI says no update is currently available through that channel for that notebook. See MSI USA’s Windows Update guidance, last updated August 7, 2026.

How to prepare for a manual notebook BIOS update

Before starting the BIOS-menu procedure, follow the instructions for your exact model. MSI’s guide advises notebook owners to:

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  • Keep the AC adapter connected throughout the update.
  • Restore customized advanced settings, such as undervolting or overclocking, to their defaults.
  • Check MSI’s BitLocker-specific instructions if BitLocker is enabled.
  • Back up critical files. MSI says a BIOS update modifies motherboard firmware and does not delete documents, photos, videos, or application data, but still advises a backup.
  • Seek professional technical help if you are unfamiliar with BIOS operations.

For the manual procedure, MSI describes entering BIOS setup, loading optimized defaults, selecting the update file from the USB drive, and proceeding with the flash. Keep power connected; do not unplug the USB drive, force a restart, or manually power off while the update is running. An interrupted flash can prevent the notebook from starting. Follow the exact steps shown in the model-specific guide.

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Choosing between the two official notebook update routes

Route What MSI documents Best fit
Manual BIOS-menu update Download the package from the exact model’s MSI support page, extract it to a FAT32 USB drive, then use the BIOS procedure. When the release notes address your issue and you can safely follow the model-specific BIOS steps.
Windows Update Install the optional “Micro-Star International Firmware” item when it is offered for the notebook. When MSI offers the firmware update through Windows Update for your model.

Neither route should be treated as universal: check the support page, release notes, and availability for your notebook before proceeding.

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