How to Turn Off CSM in Your BIOS

What CSM is and why you might need to disable it

CSM stands for Compatibility Support Module. It is a BIOS feature that lets your computer run older software and hardware that was built for an older system standard. When CSM is on, your motherboard pretends to be an older machine so that legacy devices and programs will work.

You may need to disable CSM if you are installing Windows 11 (which requires a newer system standard called UEFI), if you are having boot problems, or if you are setting up a new storage drive and want to use the modern partition format. Some people also disable it to improve boot speed slightly or to resolve conflicts with certain hardware.

The steps to turn off CSM are similar across most computers, but the exact menu names and locations vary by motherboard manufacturer. This guide covers the general process and points out where to look on the most common brands.

Key Takeaways

CSM is a compatibility mode that makes your computer behave like an older machine, and disabling it forces your system to use modern standards instead.
You must back up your data before changing CSM settings, because disabling it can make your existing Windows installation unbootable.
The CSM setting is usually in the BIOS menu under "Boot", "Advanced", or "Chipset" — the exact location depends on your motherboard brand.
After disabling CSM, you may need to reinstall Windows or convert your storage drive to a modern partition format for your system to boot.

Back up your data before you start

Changing CSM settings can prevent Windows from starting. Before you enter the BIOS, connect an external hard drive or USB drive and copy any files you cannot afford to lose. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have, but it is the only safety net if something goes wrong.

If you use cloud storage like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, make sure your most important files have synced to the cloud. That way, even if your computer will not boot, you can still reach those files from another device.

Enter the BIOS setup menu

Restart your computer and watch the screen carefully as it starts up. Within the first few seconds, you will see a message telling you which key to press to enter setup — usually Delete, F2, F10, or Esc. The exact key depends on your motherboard brand. Press that key repeatedly until the BIOS menu appears.

If you miss the window, let the computer finish booting into Windows, then restart and try again. Do not hold the key down — tap it several times per second instead. If you are using a laptop, you may need to hold Fn at the same time as the setup key.

Once you are in the BIOS menu, you will see a dark screen with white or blue text and several menu options across the top or down the left side. You are now ready to find the CSM setting.

Locate CSM in your BIOS menu

The CSM setting is not always in the same place. On most motherboards, look in these sections in this order: Boot, Advanced, Chipset, or Integrated Peripherals. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move between menu sections, and press Enter to open each one.

Once you open a section, scroll down through the options and look for any setting with "CSM" in the name. Common names include "CSM Support", "Compatibility Support Module", "Legacy Support", or "Boot Mode". When you find it, the current setting will usually say "Enabled" or "On".

If you cannot find CSM after checking all four sections above, try searching your motherboard's manual online. Search for your exact motherboard model (you can find this in Windows by right-clicking "This PC" and choosing "Properties", then looking for "System Model") plus the words "CSM BIOS". The manual will show you exactly where the setting is on your board.

Disable CSM and save your changes

When you find the CSM setting, press Enter to open it. A small menu will appear with two or three options: usually "Enabled", "Disabled", and sometimes "Auto". Use the arrow keys to highlight "Disabled" and press Enter.

After you change the setting, look for a "Save and Exit" option — usually at the bottom of the menu or accessible by pressing F10. The BIOS will ask you to confirm that you want to save. Press Y for yes. Your computer will restart.

Do not turn off the power while the computer is restarting. Let it boot all the way through, even if it takes longer than usual or shows error messages. This is normal the first time after disabling CSM.

What to do if Windows will not start

If your computer restarts but Windows does not load, this usually means your storage drive is formatted in an older partition style that CSM was handling. You have two options: go back into the BIOS and turn CSM back on, or reinstall Windows using a modern partition format.

To turn CSM back on, repeat the steps above but choose "Enabled" instead of "Disabled". This will restore your system to working order while you decide what to do next. If you want to keep CSM off, you will need to reinstall Windows. You can do this with a Windows installation USB drive — search online for "create Windows installation media" and follow Microsoft's official guide for your Windows version.

If you are not comfortable reinstalling Windows, turning CSM back on is the safer choice. You can always try disabling it again later once you have more information about your system.

Verify that CSM is disabled

Once Windows starts successfully, you can confirm that CSM is actually off. Open the BIOS again using the same key you pressed before. Navigate back to the CSM setting and check that it now shows "Disabled". If it still shows "Enabled", the change did not save — try disabling it again and make sure you pressed F10 and confirmed the save.

You can also check from within Windows on some computers. Open Settings, go to "System" then "About", and look for "UEFI" or "BIOS Mode". If it says "UEFI", CSM is off. If it says "Legacy", CSM is still on. Not all computers show this information, so the BIOS check is more reliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling CSM make my computer faster?

It may improve boot time by a small amount — usually a few seconds at most. The main reason to disable CSM is compatibility with modern software like Windows 11, not speed. If you are only looking for a speed boost, there are other BIOS settings that have a bigger effect.

Can I disable CSM if I have an older printer or scanner?

Older printers and scanners usually work fine without CSM because Windows handles the compatibility. However, if you have a very old device that requires a legacy driver, disabling CSM might cause problems. Test it first — if the device stops working, turn CSM back on.

What is the difference between CSM and UEFI?

UEFI is the modern standard that replaced the older BIOS system. CSM is a bridge that lets UEFI pretend to be the old BIOS so legacy software will run. Disabling CSM means your computer uses pure UEFI mode, which is faster and more secure but requires modern software.

Do I need to disable CSM to install Windows 11?

Windows 11 requires UEFI and a specific partition format. Some computers will install Windows 11 with CSM on, but others will not. If your installation fails, try disabling CSM first. If it still fails, you may need to convert your storage drive to the correct partition format.

What if I cannot find the CSM setting in my BIOS?

Older computers and some laptops do not have a CSM setting because they were built before CSM existed. If you cannot find it after checking all the menu sections, your BIOS probably does not have it. In that case, you cannot disable something that is not there, and you can safely ignore this step.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.