How to Disable CSM (2026 Complete Guide)

ByAdnan Updated on

Understanding how to disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in your BIOS is an essential skill for anyone looking to modernize their PC setup in 2026. CSM is a legacy feature that allows older operating systems and hardware to work with newer UEFI-based firmware, but keeping it enabled can prevent you from taking advantage of modern features like Secure Boot, Fast Boot, and full UEFI mode. Whether you are preparing to install Windows 11, trying to resolve boot issues, or simply want a cleaner and faster startup process, knowing how to disable CSM is a practical and necessary step. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about CSM, why you might want to disable it, and exactly how to do so on all major motherboard brands including ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock. We will also cover common problems that arise after disabling CSM and how to troubleshoot them effectively.

Last updated: July 19, 2026 | Estimated reading time: 12 minutes

Table of Contents

What Is CSM (Compatibility Support Module)?

CSM, short for Compatibility Support Module, is a component of the UEFI firmware found on modern motherboards. Its primary purpose is to provide backward compatibility with legacy BIOS systems, allowing older operating systems, expansion cards, and storage devices that do not support UEFI to function properly. When CSM is enabled, the motherboard operates in a hybrid mode that supports both legacy BIOS and modern UEFI boot methods.

In practical terms, CSM allows your computer to boot from devices that use the older Master Boot Record (MBR) partition scheme instead of the newer GUID Partition Table (GPT) format. It also enables compatibility with older option ROMs on expansion cards such as graphics cards, network adapters, and storage controllers. This was critically important during the transition period from BIOS to UEFI, but in 2026, virtually all modern hardware and operating systems fully support UEFI, making CSM largely unnecessary for most users.

CSM typically sits within the Boot menu of your BIOS/UEFI settings. It may be labeled as “CSM Support,” “Legacy Support,” or “Compatibility Support Module” depending on your motherboard manufacturer. When enabled, it presents additional options for choosing between UEFI and Legacy boot modes for individual devices. When disabled, the system boots exclusively in UEFI mode.

Why You Should Disable CSM in 2026

There are several compelling reasons to disable CSM in 2026. First and foremost, disabling CSM is a prerequisite for enabling Secure Boot, which is a mandatory requirement for installing and running Windows 11. Secure Boot helps protect your system from rootkits, bootkits, and other malware that target the boot process. Without disabling CSM, you cannot enable Secure Boot on most motherboards.

Secondly, UEFI-only boot is significantly faster than legacy boot. When CSM is enabled, the system must initialize both UEFI and legacy components during startup, which adds time to the boot process. By disabling CSM, your system only needs to load UEFI firmware, resulting in faster boot times. Many users report saving several seconds off their boot time after disabling CSM.

Thirdly, GPT partitioning offers numerous advantages over MBR. GPT supports drives larger than 2TB, allows for more than four primary partitions without using extended partitions, and includes built-in redundancy with backup partition tables. Since CSM is required to boot from MBR drives, disabling it naturally pushes you toward the superior GPT format.

Additionally, some modern features like PCIe Resizable BAR (ReBAR) and Above 4G Decoding work more reliably when CSM is disabled. These features can improve GPU performance in gaming and content creation workloads. For anyone building a new PC or upgrading an existing system in 2026, disabling CSM is essentially a no-brainer.

Tip: If you are building a brand-new PC in 2026 with modern components, there is almost no reason to keep CSM enabled. Disabling it from the start will save you from potential headaches later.

Prerequisites Before Disabling CSM

Before you disable CSM, there are several important prerequisites you must address to avoid rendering your system unbootable. The most critical step is ensuring that your operating system is installed in UEFI mode with a GPT partition table. If your Windows installation was set up in Legacy/CSM mode with an MBR partition table, disabling CSM will prevent your system from booting.

To check your current partition style, press Windows + X and select Disk Management. Right-click on your system drive (usually Disk 0) and select Properties. Navigate to the Volumes tab and check the Partition style. If it says Master Boot Record (MBR), you will need to convert it to GPT before disabling CSM. You can use the Windows command-line tool MBR2GPT to perform this conversion without data loss.

You should also ensure that your graphics card supports UEFI GOP (Graphics Output Protocol). Most modern GPUs from the last several years support UEFI GOP, but older cards may not. If your GPU does not support UEFI, you may not see any display output after disabling CSM. In this case, you would need to update your GPU firmware or use a different graphics card.

Additionally, make sure you have access to your BIOS settings before making changes. Note down any custom BIOS settings you have configured, such as overclocking profiles, fan curves, or boot order preferences. While disabling CSM should not reset these settings, it is always wise to have a backup of your configuration.

How to Disable CSM on ASUS Motherboards

ASUS motherboards are among the most popular in the DIY PC market, and disabling CSM on them is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Restart your computer and press the Delete key repeatedly during startup to enter the BIOS. On some ASUS boards, you may need to press F2 instead.

Step 2: Once in the BIOS, switch to Advanced Mode by pressing F7 or clicking the Advanced Mode button if you are in EZ Mode.

Step 3: Navigate to the Boot tab at the top of the screen.

Step 4: Look for an option called CSM (Compatibility Support Module) and click on it to enter the CSM submenu.

Step 5: Set CSM to Disabled. You may see a dropdown menu where you can select Enabled or Disabled.

Step 6: If you want to enable Secure Boot, navigate to the Security tab and then to Secure Boot. Set Secure Boot to Enabled and choose the Standard or Custom mode as appropriate.

Step 7: Press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your system will restart.

On ASUS motherboards with BIOS versions from 2024 or later, you may also see a combined option that handles CSM and Secure Boot together. In this case, simply enabling Secure Boot will automatically disable CSM for you. This is the easiest approach if your BIOS supports it.

How to Disable CSM on MSI Motherboards

MSI motherboards have a slightly different BIOS layout compared to ASUS, but the process is equally simple. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Restart your PC and press the Delete key to enter the MSI BIOS (Click BIOS).

Step 2: If you are in the简易 (EZ) Mode界面, click on the Advanced button or press F7 to switch to Advanced Mode.

Step 3: Navigate to the Settings section on the left sidebar, then click on the Advanced submenu.

Step 4: Look for an option labeled PCI Subsystem Settings or Boot Configuration. Inside one of these menus, you should find the CSM and UEFI option.

Step 5: Set CSM Support to Disabled. On some MSI boards, this option is labeled as “Windows 10/11 WHQL Support” or “UEFI/Legacy Boot.”

Step 6: If your MSI BIOS has a dedicated Secure Boot section under Settings > Security, navigate there and enable Secure Boot after disabling CSM.

Step 7: Press F10 to save and exit. Your computer will restart with CSM disabled.

MSI boards from 2025 and later often default to UEFI mode with CSM disabled, so if you have a newer MSI motherboard, CSM may already be turned off. Always verify before making changes.

How to Disable CSM on Gigabyte Motherboards

Gigabyte motherboards use their own BIOS interface, but disabling CSM follows a similar pattern. Here is the process:

Step 1: Restart your computer and press the Delete key to enter the Gigabyte BIOS.

Step 2: Press F2 to switch from Classic Mode to Advanced Mode if you are not already in Advanced Mode.

Step 3: Navigate to the BIOS tab at the top of the screen.

Step 4: Look for CSM Support under the Boot Option Priorities or Boot Configuration section. On some Gigabyte boards, it is located under the Peripherals tab.

Step 5: Set CSM Support to Disabled. This will gray out the Legacy boot options, confirming that CSM has been turned off.

Step 6: To enable Secure Boot, go to the Security tab and find the Secure Boot option. Enable it and configure it as needed.

Step 7: Press F10 to save your changes and reboot.

Gigabyte BIOS interfaces can vary significantly between models and chipsets. If you cannot find the CSM option in the locations described above, check under the Settings tab or use the BIOS search function (Ctrl + F in some Gigabyte BIOS versions) to search for “CSM.”

How to Disable CSM on ASRock Motherboards

ASRock motherboards have a BIOS interface that is somewhat similar to ASUS, and disabling CSM follows a comparable process:

Step 1: Restart your computer and press the Delete key to enter the ASRock UEFI BIOS.

Step 2: Switch to Advanced Mode by pressing F6 or clicking the appropriate button.

Step 3: Navigate to the Security tab at the top of the screen.

Step 4: Look for an option called Secure Boot. Some ASRock boards have a separate CSM option under the Boot tab as well.

Step 5: Under the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) submenu, set the option to Disabled. On some ASRock models, you will find this under Boot > CSM Configuration.

Step 6: Enable Secure Boot if desired, which is found in the same Security tab.

Step 7: Press F10 to save and exit.

ASRock has been improving their BIOS interfaces with each generation. Newer ASRock boards (2024 and later) typically have cleaner menus that make finding CSM and Secure Boot options much easier than on older models.

How to Disable CSM on Dell PCs

Dell desktops and laptops have a somewhat different BIOS interface compared to custom-built PCs with ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte motherboards. Here is how to disable CSM on Dell systems:

Step 1: Restart your Dell PC and press the F2 key repeatedly during startup to enter the Dell BIOS Setup Utility.

Step 2: Navigate to the Secure Boot section under the Security tab.

Step 3: If available, you will see an option for Legacy Option ROMs or UEFI Network Stack. Disable Legacy Option ROMs to effectively turn off CSM functionality.

Step 4: Enable Secure Boot, which is typically found in the same Secure Boot section.

Step 5: Click Apply or press F10 to save your changes and exit.

Not all Dell systems expose the CSM option directly. On some Dell models, particularly consumer-grade systems, the CSM option may be hidden or controlled automatically when you toggle between Legacy and UEFI boot modes. If you do not see a direct CSM option, look for a Boot List Option setting where you can choose between Legacy and UEFI modes.

For more details on managing Dell BIOS settings, you might find our guide on how to disable Fast Boot in BIOS on Dell helpful, as Fast Boot is another BIOS feature that interacts with the boot process.

How to Disable CSM on HP and Lenovo PCs

HP and Lenovo systems have their own BIOS interfaces with unique navigation paths. Here is how to disable CSM on each:

HP Systems: Restart your HP PC and press F10 repeatedly to enter the BIOS. Navigate to the Security tab and look for Secure Boot Configuration. If available, disable Legacy Support to turn off CSM. Enable Secure Boot in the same section. On some HP models, you may need to disable Legacy Option ROMs under the Advanced tab before the Secure Boot options become available.

Lenovo Systems: Restart your Lenovo PC and press F1 or Enter during startup to access the BIOS. Navigate to the Security tab and find the Secure Boot option. Enable Secure Boot, which should automatically disable CSM on most Lenovo systems. On some ThinkPad models, you may find a separate CSM option under the Startup tab. Set it to Disabled.

Both HP and Lenovo have been phasing out legacy BIOS support on their newer models. If you have a system from 2024 or later, CSM may already be disabled by default. Always check your BIOS settings to confirm.

What Happens After You Disable CSM

After you disable CSM and restart your computer, several things will happen. First, the boot process will be handled entirely through UEFI. This means your system will only boot from devices and partitions that use the GPT partition scheme and support UEFI booting. If your operating system was installed in Legacy mode, your system will fail to boot until you convert your drive to GPT.

Second, if you also enabled Secure Boot, your system will verify the digital signatures of bootloaders, kernel extensions, and drivers during the startup process. This adds a layer of security against unauthorized code running during boot. Some older hardware drivers and unsigned bootloaders may not work with Secure Boot enabled.

Third, you may notice a faster boot time. UEFI-only boot eliminates the overhead of initializing legacy components, which can shave several seconds off your startup time. The exact improvement depends on your hardware configuration and the number of legacy devices connected to your system.

Finally, certain BIOS options may change or become unavailable. For example, the option to boot from USB devices in Legacy mode will disappear. All bootable USB media must be created in UEFI mode. If you need to boot from a USB drive for troubleshooting or OS installation, make sure the USB media is formatted with GPT and contains a UEFI-compatible boot loader.

Troubleshooting Common Issues After Disabling CSM

If your system fails to boot after disabling CSM, do not panic. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:

Black screen or no display: This usually means your graphics card does not support UEFI GOP. You can try updating your GPU firmware through the manufacturer’s utility, or re-enable CSM temporarily and connect to the integrated graphics output on your motherboard (if available) to access the BIOS and revert the change.

“No bootable device found” error: This indicates that your operating system was installed in Legacy mode with an MBR partition table. You need to convert your drive from MBR to GPT using the MBR2GPT tool in Windows, or reinstall Windows in UEFI mode. If you cannot access Windows at all, you may need to temporarily re-enable CSM to boot into your OS and perform the conversion.

Boot device not listed: Some USB drives and external storage devices are not compatible with UEFI boot. Make sure your bootable media was created using UEFI-compatible tools such as Rufus (with GPT/UEFI settings) or the official Windows Media Creation Tool.

System restarts in a loop: This can happen if Secure Boot is enabled but your bootloader is not properly signed. Try disabling Secure Boot first while keeping CSM disabled. Once your system boots successfully, you can re-enable Secure Boot and configure it properly.

BIOS reset to defaults: On some motherboards, disabling CSM triggers a BIOS reset. This is normal behavior. You may need to reconfigure your custom settings such as XMP profiles, fan curves, and boot order.

Enabling Secure Boot After Disabling CSM

Once CSM is disabled, enabling Secure Boot is the logical next step. Secure Boot is a UEFI security feature that ensures only trusted software is loaded during the boot process. Here is how to enable it after disabling CSM:

Step 1: Enter your BIOS settings by pressing Delete, F2, or F1 during startup (depending on your motherboard brand).

Step 2: Navigate to the Security or Boot section and find the Secure Boot option.

Step 3: Set Secure Boot to Enabled. If prompted, choose the Standard or Default Secure Boot mode rather than Custom mode unless you have specific requirements.

Step 4: On some motherboards, you may need to clear existing Secure Boot keys and install default keys first. This is usually found under Secure Boot > Key Management. Select Restore to Factory Default or Load Default Keys.

Step 5: Save your changes and restart your computer.

After enabling Secure Boot, your system will verify the integrity of all boot components. For Windows 10 and Windows 11, Secure Boot should work out of the box. For Linux distributions, most modern distributions (Ubuntu 20.04+, Fedora 36+, Arch Linux, etc.) fully support Secure Boot.

If you are interested in other BIOS optimizations, you may want to check out our guide on how to turn on PBO (Precision Boost Overdrive) for AMD systems or learn about how to add boot options in BIOS on Dell systems for advanced boot configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is it safe to disable CSM?

Yes, disabling CSM is safe as long as your operating system is installed in UEFI mode with a GPT partition table. If your OS is in Legacy mode, disabling CSM will prevent your system from booting. Always check your partition style before making changes.

Q2: Will disabling CSM improve my gaming performance?

Disabling CSM itself does not directly improve gaming performance. However, it allows you to enable features like Resizable BAR (ReBAR) and Above 4G Decoding, which can provide a small performance boost in some games. These features require UEFI mode to function properly.

Q3: Can I re-enable CSM after disabling it?

Yes, you can re-enable CSM at any time by going back into your BIOS settings and toggling the CSM option back to Enabled. However, if you have converted your drive to GPT and enabled Secure Boot, re-enabling CSM may cause issues. It is generally recommended to keep CSM disabled unless you specifically need legacy compatibility.

Q4: Does disabling CSM affect dual-boot systems?

If you dual-boot Windows and Linux, disabling CSM should not cause any issues as long as both operating systems were installed in UEFI mode. Most modern Linux distributions install in UEFI mode by default. However, if one of your operating systems was installed in Legacy mode, you will need to convert it to UEFI mode first.

Q5: I do not see the CSM option in my BIOS. What should I do?

Some motherboards do not expose the CSM option directly. On these boards, CSM is controlled indirectly through other settings such as Legacy Support, Legacy Option ROMs, or Boot List Option. Check for these alternative options, or update your BIOS to the latest version, which may expose the CSM setting.

Q6: Will disabling CSM affect my GPU?

If your GPU supports UEFI GOP (which virtually all GPUs from the last 8+ years do), disabling CSM will not affect your GPU functionality. If you have an older GPU that only supports Legacy BIOS, you may lose display output after disabling CSM. In this case, you would need to update your GPU firmware or use a different graphics card.

Q7: Do I need to reinstall Windows after disabling CSM?

You do not need to reinstall Windows if your current installation is already in UEFI mode with a GPT partition table. If your installation is in Legacy mode with an MBR partition table, you can use the MBR2GPT tool to convert the drive without reinstalling Windows. If conversion is not possible, a clean reinstall in UEFI mode would be necessary.

Q8: How do I check if my Windows is installed in UEFI mode?

Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. In the System Information window, look for the BIOS Mode entry. If it says UEFI, your system is in UEFI mode. If it says Legacy, your system is using Legacy/CSM mode. You can also check Disk Management to see if your system drive uses GPT (UEFI) or MBR (Legacy).

Disabling CSM in 2026 is one of the simplest and most impactful BIOS changes you can make to modernize your PC. It unlocks faster boot times, enables Secure Boot, and allows you to take full advantage of modern UEFI features. Follow the steps for your specific motherboard brand above, and you will have CSM disabled in just a few minutes.

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