MSI Z97 Gaming 7 User Guide

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EZ Smart Connect
A.	System	Requirements
1. Intel® Smart Connect Technology enabled in BIOS Setup
2. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1
3. Intel® Smart Connect Technology utility installed
4. Properly-working network connection
5. Programs added to the White List must be turned on	(Note)
B.	Using	EZ	Smart	Connect
Select EZ Smart Connect. Under File Name, select the apps to be auto-updated by Smart Connect. Double-
click the app to add it to the Application permission list.	(Double-click		to...

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XHD
With GIGABYTE XHD	(Note	 1),	users	 can	quickly	 configure	 a	RAID-ready	 system	for	RAID	 0	or	 RAID	 1	when	 a	
new SATA drive is added. All with a simple click of a button, XHD helps to enhance your hard drive read/write 
performance	without	the	need	for	complex	and	time-consuming	configurations.
A.	System	Requirements
1. An Intel® Chipset motherboard supporting RAID
2. Intel® SATA controllers set to RAID mode
3. Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility installed
4. Windows 7 with...

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5-2-4 Fast Boot
Through the simple GIGABYTE Fast Boot	(Note	 1) interface, you can enable or change the Fast Boot or Next Boot 
After AC Power Loss setting right in the operating system.
The Fast Boot Interface
Using	Fast	Boot
 •BIOS Fast Boot:
 This option is the same as the Fast Boot option	(Note	 2) in BIOS Setup. It allows you to enable or disable the 
fast boot function to shorten OS boot time.
 •AC OFF Mode: 
 This option is the same as the Next Boot After AC Power Loss option	(Note	 2) in...

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5-2-5 Smart TimeLock
GIGABYTE Smart TimeLock allows you to effectively manage computer or Internet usage time with simple 
rules and options.
The Smart TimeLock Interface
Using	Smart	TimeLock
Click the lock icon  on the bottom left corner and enter the password	(Note). Set the time when a user can or 
cannot use your computer for weekdays and weekends. The Lock Mode on the bottom right corner allows you 
to	 choose	 to	turn	 off	the	 computer	 or	only	 close	 the	Internet	 connection	 during	the...

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5-2-6	 Smart	Recovery	2
Smart	Recovery	 2	allows	 you	to	back	 up	a	partition	 as	an	 image	 file	every	 hour.	You	can	use	these	 images	 to	
restore	your	system	or	files	when	needed.
 •Smart	Recovery	2	only	supports	NTFS	file	system. •You need to select the destination partition in Settings	the	 first	 time	you use Smart Recovery 2. •The Backup Now button will be available only after you log in Windows for ten minutes. •Select the Always run on next reboot checkbox to automatically enable Smart...

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Recovering	your	system	with	Smart	Recovery	2:
Steps:
1. Click the System	Recovery button on the main menu.
2. Select the location where your backup is saved.
3. Use the time slider to select a time point.
4. Select a partition backup created on the selected time point and 
click Restore.
5. Confirm	whether	 to	restart	 your	system	 to	proceed	 with	the	restore	
immediately or later. Once you respond "Yes" the system will restart to 
the Windows recovery environment. Follow the onscreen...

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5-2-7	 USB	Blocker
GIGABYTE USB Blocker provides you with an easy-to-use interface that allows you to bl\
ock certain USB device 
types on your PC. Devices classes that are blocked will be ignored by th\
e operating system.
The	USB	Blocker	Interface
Using	USB	Blocker
Select the class of USB device that you would like to block or unblocked\
. Double left-click to change the Blocked 
or Unblocked status and click OK. Then enter your password and click OK to complete.
Unique Features  

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5-2-8 Smart Switch
GIGABYTE Smart Switch provides you with the conventional Windows start m\
enu, allowing you to easily access 
to the apps that you frequently use. You can also select the default screen displayed after you enter Windows. 
The Smart Switch Interface
Using	Smart	Switch
The Smart Switch icon  will appear on the bottom left corner of the traditional Windows desktop screen after 
Smart Switch is installed. Left-click the icon to see the screen as that shown above and you can set the...

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5-2-9 Game Controller
GIGABYTE	 Game	Controller	 allows	you	to	define	 your	own	hotkeys	 and	change	 the	mouse	 sensitivity,	 helping	
you make the most out of your keyboard and mouse in games.
The Game Controller Interface
(Note)	 It	 is	recommended	 that	Game	 Controller	 be	closed	 if	it	violates	 the	end	 user	 license	 agreement	 of	
your game.
Using	Game	Controller:
 •Hot Key:
	 Create	macro	commands	and	define	your	own	hotkeys	to	quickly	perform	the	function	your	want.
 •Speed:
 Using the...

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Unique Features