MSI Cyborg 15: Step-by-Step Windows 11 Installation Guide

Preparing for Windows 11 Installation

• 💡 You'll need an 8GB USB drive and another Windows PC to create a bootable drive if your MSI Cyborg 15 is inaccessible.
• ⚠️ Reasons for installation include a corrupted system, forgotten password, or simply wanting a fresh start, though this will erase all data.

Downloading Essential Files

• 🚀 Download the Windows 11 ISO for x64 devices directly from the Microsoft website.
• 🛠️ Download Rufus from rufus.ie to create the bootable USB.
• 📌 Crucially, download the Intel Rapid Storage Technology and Wireless LAN drivers from MSI support for your specific laptop model (e.g., Cyborg 15 A12VE) as these may not install automatically.

Creating the Bootable USB Drive

• 📂 Extract the downloaded driver files (storage and Wi-Fi) into separate, clearly named folders on your PC.
• 💻 Use Rufus to create the bootable USB, selecting the downloaded Windows 11 ISO.
• 💾 After Rufus completes, copy the extracted storage and Wi-Fi driver folders onto the root of the USB drive.

Installing Windows 11 on MSI Cyborg 15

• 🔌 Plug the prepared USB drive into your MSI Cyborg 15, shut down the laptop, and power it on while repeatedly pressing F11 to access the boot menu.
• 🖱️ Navigate the BIOS/boot menu to select your USB drive as the primary boot device.
• ⚠️ If the system restarts and returns to the boot menu, press Alt+F4, select 'Yes', and unplug the USB drive as soon as the screen goes dark.

Driver Loading and Installation Process

• ⌨️ During Windows setup, use the Tab key to navigate sections and arrow keys to select options, as the touchpad may not work initially.
• 💾 When prompted to load drivers, select 'Load driver', browse to your USB drive, and select the storage driver folder to load it.
• 📶 After Windows installation, you may need to load the Wi-Fi driver similarly to connect to a network.

Completing Setup and Post-Installation

• 🧹 Delete all existing partitions on your internal drive to create unallocated space, then select it for Windows installation.
• ✅ The installation process may involve several restarts; allow it to complete.
• 🌐 Once Windows is installed, connect to your Wi-Fi network and proceed with the setup, including any necessary updates.