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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Uninstall games you are not actively playing to reclaim space without buying anything. If you want to keep a larger library installed, a USB 3.1 external drive can store Xbox games and play compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Original Xbox titles—but most Series X|S-optimized games must be moved to the console’s internal SSD or a compatible Storage Expansion Card before you can play them.
Free space first by uninstalling games you are not playing
Xbox lists removing games you are not currently playing as a way to free storage. Open the console’s storage-management area and follow its current prompts to uninstall titles you can reinstall later. The exact menu labels and button sequence can vary with console software; Xbox’s general storage guidance does not document a current button-by-button sequence, so rely on the prompts shown on your console rather than a guessed path.
Xbox’s general storage guidance also identifies an external hard drive and, on Series X|S, a Storage Expansion Card as ways to add storage. Those options help if you want to keep more games on hand, but they differ in which games can run directly from the added drive.
Choose storage based on what you want to play
| Option | Best for | Can you play games directly from it? | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall inactive games | Freeing space without buying hardware | No; reinstall a game when you want to play it again. | Xbox identifies this as a way to recover space. Xbox storage guidance |
| USB 3.1 external HDD or SSD | Keeping a game library off internal storage and playing compatible older titles | Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Original Xbox games can run from USB. Series X|S-optimized games can be stored there but generally need to be moved to internal storage or an expansion card to play. | Xbox’s storage comparison describes this general rule. Check a particular game if its behavior is unclear. |
| Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S | Adding storage for games you want to play without moving them back to the internal SSD | Yes, including Series X|S-optimized games, according to Xbox’s comparison. | It is a separate Series X|S accessory. Xbox’s product page lists 1 TB and 2 TB options and says the card maintains the internal SSD’s peak speed and performance. Xbox product page |
Use a USB drive for storage or compatible older games
A USB 3.1 external hard drive or SSD can be useful if your goal is to keep games installed without using the console’s internal space. Xbox says USB storage can also run Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Original Xbox games that are compatible with your console. For Series X|S-optimized games, plan to move the game to internal storage or a compatible Storage Expansion Card before launching it.
#1 Best Overall
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED STORAGE FOR XBOX. Play effortlessly with full Xbox integration and enjoy gaming experiences that adhere fully to Microsoft’s quality standards.
- SPACE FOR MASSIVE GAMES. With up to 2TB[1] of storage, you have plenty of room to grow your game library and explore massive worlds.
- SUPERSPEED NVMe CORE. Revolutionize your gaming experience with reduced wait times, fast responses, and full immersion.
- OPTIMIZED FOR XBOX. Xbox Velocity Architecture unlocks the full potential of the WD_BLACK C50, allowing it to achieve blazing-fast performance and seamless, high-speed access to your favorite games.
- QUICK RESUME SUPPORT. The storage expansion card seamlessly integrates with your console's Quick Resume, enabling instant transition between multiple suspended games — so you can pick up exactly where you left off without delay.
Xbox Director of Program Management Jason Ronald said in a September 24, 2020 Xbox Wire explainer that a game played from the Storage Expansion Card would have the same experience and performance as one running from the internal SSD. That is Xbox’s description, not an independent benchmark. The explainer distinguishes the card from a standard USB drive, which does not directly play Series X|S-optimized games. Read Xbox Wire’s storage comparison.
Choose the Expansion Card for direct play of optimized games
If you want more room for Series X|S-optimized games without moving them back and forth before play, Xbox’s Seagate Storage Expansion Card is the option designed for that use. Xbox lists 1 TB and 2 TB variants and names Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S as compatible consoles. Its product page describes the card as maintaining the internal SSD’s peak speed and performance; this is the manufacturer’s product claim. See Xbox’s Storage Expansion Card details.
Rank #2
- 【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Check your console’s capacity and game components
Advertised capacity depends on the console model and is not the same as space free for new installations after system data and installed games. Xbox’s cited product pages list Series S configurations at 512 GB or 1 TB, and Series X configurations at 1 TB or 2 TB. Check the page for your model and the storage information on your console before deciding how much room you need: Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X.
Some games may let you remove individual components, such as a campaign or mode, instead of uninstalling the whole title. This depends on developer support: an Xbox discussion in October 2020 described component removal as conditional, not universal. Check the options available for the specific game before counting on this to free space. Xbox Wire’s discussion of storage and game components.
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Rank #4
- Customize your drive’s RGB lighting with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) to show off your style and make every play personal.
- Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with PlayStation 4 Pro or PS4 with system software version 4.50 or higher, PlayStation 5 (Play and store PS4 games; archive PS5 games), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S (Play and store Xbox One games; archive Xbox Series X|S games).}
- Keep more of the latest and largest titles installed and ready to launch with capacities of up to 2TB. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Built with WD_BLACK toughness thanks to a shock-resistant structure, this durable drive can survive a drop of up to two-meters.
Rank #3
- BUILD YOUR GAME VAULT 2TB of capacity to build the ultimate Game Vault without sacrificing titles. Store your library to seamless move games between your internal storage and your Seagate External Game Drive. *Games cannot be played directly off of the external hard drive*
- XBOX-CERTIFIED Compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and all generations of Xbox One.
- BRILLIANT DESIGN A bold and refined design, crafted to compliment your Xbox
- LIGHT IT UP A built-in LED bar illuminates your gaming center in Xbox green
- WARRANTY Enjoy peace of mind with the included 3-year Rescue Data Recovery Services and 1-year limited warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
