Perform Xbox One S Hard Drive Upgrade - Guide with Pictures

Sherly updated on Sep 19, 2024 to Partition Master | How-to Articles

Do you want to elevate your gaming experience by upgrading your Xbox One S hard drive? Follow this complete article to learn how to perform Xbox one S hard drive upgrade efficiently.

Do you want to elevate your gaming experience by upgrading your Xbox One S hard drive? Then welcome to the guide from EaseUS on performing an Xbox One S hard drive upgrade. In this article, we will introduce you to Xbox One S and provide a detailed guide to upgrade your Xbox One S's hard drive successfully. Xbox One S is an upgraded version of the original Xbox One with better features and specifications.

Here's a brief overview of the procedure involving the Xbox One S hard drive upgrade:

💡Aspects 🧩Details
🔎Complex Level Low, step-by-step guide
Applies to

Upgrading Xbox One S hard drive to SSD

Upgrading Xbox One S hard drive to a larger HDD

🚩Stages
💻Tools
  1. New hard drive or SSD
  2. External hard drive 
  3. Screwdriver
  4. EaseUS Partition Master (cloning tool)

First, you must prepare for the Xbox One S hard drive upgrade, which is also applicable for upgrading the Xbox series X/S storage. Make sure you have prepared all the tools:

  • Download a reliable cloning tool - EaseUS Partition Master

The clone feature of this reliable tool will ensure that your data isn't lost. This tool allows you to transfer all the games and custom settings from the original hard drive to the new one or new SSD.

  • Required Tools:

To remove the internal hard drive and install the new SSD or HDD into your Xbox One S, these are some tools that you will require:

  1. External hard drive 
  2. USB drive
  3. Screwdriver
  • Buy a certificated HDD or SSD

Before buying the drive, make sure you keep these important points in mind: performance, speed, price, capacity, and quality.

  • Initialize the new HDD or SSD

Initializing a new HDD or SSD is necessary to prepare the storage device for use with the computer or device. During the initialization process, the disk is formatted, and essential system structures are set up, enabling the operating system to recognize and utilize the storage effectively.

Stage 1: Take Out the Original Hard Drive on the Xbox One S

Before beginning the hard drive upgrade, carefully remove the original hard disk from your Xbox One S. You can ensure a smooth transition to the new drive by following these steps:

Step 1. To begin, turn off your Xbox One S and detach it from all cables for safety.

Step 2. Remove the hard drive's cover to gain easy access to the internal components. 

Step 3. Lastly, carefully remove the connections from its appropriate position. 

Connect the original hard disk and the initialized HDD or SSD to a Windows PC to clone the data. This step ensures that your new drive has all the required files and settings from the original drive, allowing for a smooth transfer and data retention.

Stage 2: Clone the Internal Hard Drive

After successfully detaching the hard drive next step is to replicate the data to ensure there's no data loss. For that particular step, you need to use reliable tools like EaseUS Partition Master. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, EaseUS Partition Master makes it easy to clone your Xbox One S hard drive and transfer all your data to the new drive.

Here is how you can clone your essential data using the EaseUS Partition Master:

Step 1. Select the source disk.

  • Click the "Clone" from the left menu. Select the "Clone OS Disk" or "Clone Data Disk"  and click "Next".
  • Choose the source disk and click "Next".

Step 2. Select the target disk.

  • Choose the wanted HDD/SSD as your destination and click "Next" to continue.
  • Read Warning message and confirm "Yes" button.

Step 3. View the disk layout and edit the target disk partition size. 

Then click "Continue" when the program warns it will wipe out all data on the target disk. (If you have valuable data on the target disk, back up it in advance.)

You can select "Autofit the disk", "Clone as the source" or "Edit disk layout" to customize your disk layout. (Select the last one if you want to leave more space for C drive.)

Step 4. Click "Start" to start the disk cloning process.

As you can see, it makes cloning safe and efficient. All the following features contribute to it:

  • Easy-to-use interface.
  • Allows for sector-by-sector clone to ensure all data is transferred.
  • Supports resizing partitions during the cloning process.
  • Provides options for optimizing performance and reliability.

To proceed with the cloning process, download EaseUS Partition Master and install it on your Windows PC. This powerful tool will simplify the cloning process and ensure a successful data transfer to your new Xbox One S hard drive. This tool can also help upgrade Xbox One X to SSD, and upgrade Xbox 360 storage devices.

Stage 3. Install Cloned HDD or SSD to Xbox One S 

Install the replacement HDD or SSD into your Xbox One S after the data has been successfully cloned. To finish the installation, follow the procedures outlined below.

Steps to Install Cloned HDD or SSD to Xbox One S 

To finish the installation, follow the procedures outlined below.

Step 1. Align the new HDD or SSD with the slot formerly occupied by the original hard drive.

Step 2. Gently put the new drive into the slot, ensuring it is secure and tight.

Step 3. Reattach the cables to the new drive, ensuring they are correctly inserted and secured.

Share this article with your friends to help them improve the storage and performance of their consoles.

 

Extended Reading: Use an External Hard Drive to Upgrade Xbox One S

The Xbox One S is a gaming console by Microsoft, known for its sleek design and enhanced features. Its HDD range varies from 500GB-2TB. You can attach an external hard drive to increase the storage capacity without the fear of data loss. This gives you plenty of room for your programs and games.

Follow these steps to conveniently attach and format an external hard drive for Xbox One S:

Step 1. Insert the external hard drive in the free USB port on Xbox One S.

Step 2. Format the drive according to the instructions on the screen. 

Step 3. After the drive is formatted, copy the games and programs to a different location. Access "Storage" by selecting "Settings," "System," and "Storage." Select all the files, games, and programs you need to transfer and allot the external drive as the final resting place for the transferred files. 

How to Fix Xbox External Hard Drive Not Working [Full Guide in 2023]

Xbox One hard drives don't work in various ways, such as Xbox One external hard drive keeps turning on and off, or Xbox One external hard drive is not detected.

This method is convenient because using this method you won't have to replace the console's internal hard drive. You will have more space to store games by simply connecting to an external hard drive.

Conclusion

Finally, expanding the hard drive is essential if you want to play more games and apps on your Xbox One S. Whether you wish to upgrade an internal or external drive, make sure you clone the data first and proceed with caution because a minor mistake might be devastating for your X Box. Remember to follow the outlined stages, use the necessary tools, and consider the recommended cloning tool, EaseUS Partition Master, for a smooth transition. Upgrading your Xbox One S hard drive allows you to enjoy a larger gaming library and improved performance. Share this article with others to help them enhance their storage and performance. Happy gaming!

Xbox One S Hard Drive Upgrade FAQs

Here is a list of some commonly asked questions regarding the Xbox One S hard drive upgrade. You can refer to the answers if you are facing any of these issues. 

1. Can I upgrade Xbox One S hard drive?

Yes, it is possible to upgrade Xbox One S hard drive; you can replace it with a drive with a larger storage capacity or upgrade the SSD for better performance.

2. How to upgrade Xbox One S hard drive to SSD?

Follow the below-given steps to upgrade Xbox One S hard drive:

  1. Buy a compatible SSD and connect it to your computer.
  2. Use cloning software like EaseUS Partition Master to replicate the data into SSD.
  3. Shut down the console and remove its cover.
  4. Now carefully remove all the connecting cables, remove the drive, and insert the SSD in the same slot.
  5. Lastly, put the cover back on the hard drive.

3. What is the max HDD size for Xbox One S?

500GB-2TB is the maximum HDD size for Xbox One S. You can connect the external hard drive with this capacity to accommodate the larger game library and for various apps and media.