Can you set Game Updates to an external storage by default?

LuiJoD · Apr 13, 2023

I have a usb external hard drive to store all my Xbox games. I’m aware that all the newer series X/S games need to be installed in the internal storage or sea gate card if I want to PLAY them.

But since upgrading to an Xbox Series S whenever I try to update any of my games it defaults to installing to my internal storage. I’ve changed the settings on the console so that everything installs to my external drive by default.

Despite doing this in the system menu if I try to update/patch any game it just makes a fresh install into the internal drive. This then forces me to have to manually instruct the console to move the new files to my storage.

This is very inefficient and is an issue I never had with my Xbox One. I’m still using the same external drive I had with my Xbox One. Non X/S games run with no issues and when I initially plugged in the drive it never asked me to format.

How can I get the console to recognize the external drive install location to update my stored games instead of it trying to do an all new installation of the game into my internal drive?

:)

StuartATrueRed

Updates will always update to the storage device the game is on. There is no way around it. Updates for the Xbox One/Series X|S will go over the files that are already installed. So it will only add more if the game gets more content.

As for updates, doing a fresh installation. These will be upgrading the game, so it has better visuals and 4K assets, which in most cases is a more up-to-date version of the game specifically built for the Series X|S. Hence, why it defaults to the internal storage.

Jonny306

Hello there!

My name is Jonny and I will be assisting you today!

First, thank you so much for contacting us regarding your inquiry/ concern.

Updates will be installed in the same location the game is installed. They won't and can't install separately.

Jurgen1488

In the storage setup, try selecting the external HDD as your default storage. If this does not work, try installing the game again on the external hard disk, with the default setting being set at the time of installation.

onyxishere

On the Xbox One game saves are stored both on the console and the cloud for easy access at any location. As for game install storage you can add external drives ranging in size from 256 GB to 16 TB for plenty of storage space for your games and DLC. The
external storage can be set as the default storage if you so choose.

IceStorm III

The OS stays on the internal HDD. You can set the Xbox One to install games to the external storage device by default. You can also move all your stuff over to the external drive.

Can you set Game Updates to an external storage by default?