Xbox PC app doesn't allow me to install games on external hard drive

ThomasLacy1 · Nov 18, 2021

My Xbox app for windows is no longer giving me the option to install games onto my external hard drive.

It was allowing me to do so until now.

Weirdly, it does recognise the external hard drive is there. When I go into my settings I can pick it as my default install location (it's the D drive in the below image):

And I can launch and play games that are installed on my external hard drive.

However when I try to install a new game, the only option is my C drive:

I've tried restarting, as well as uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

Does anyone have a fix for this?

Thanks

:)

Geri M.

Hello JohnEvansCSeed,

Thank you for your patience.

So, I figured it out. You need to format the external drive as a NTFS. Then in the storage settings set all new applications to install on the new drive. The Xbox app will install on that drive and all your games as well. Kindly see it on this link. Xbox PC app doesn't allow me to install games on external hard - Microsoft Community

We hope this time it will work for you.

We are looking forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Xbox Forum Moderator

Microsoft Community

Christopher Revoredo

Hi there Thomas welcome to the community forum! Christopher here, an Xbox fan just like you and has been on Xbox for years already. I would really love to make your day by helping you out. Unfortunately, tons of users are reporting this issue with no clear fix! Some have been able to select their EHDD after some steps. Okay try this: Open the Settings app (the gear in the start menu)

Open Accounts

Click Sign-in Options

Scroll down to Privacy

Uncheck "Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update and restart."

Restart your PC

Boofer_404

Thank you i sill try this at lunch and let you know

Christopher Revoredo

Oh my, and you have reinstalled the app like this right?

https://www.techadvisor.com/how-to/windows/remo...

NOTE: This is a third party link that is not Microsoft's property, so you might encounter advertising on the website.

HDW15

type in partitions or par into the search bar and you'll see a shortcut to "create and format hard disk partitions". Launch that, and it will give you a list of your drives. Right click on your desired drive that isn't popping up and press the "Format.." option. Once you're there, click on file system and change it to NTFS. Then press OK and it will change it to NTFS.

WARNING: doing this will erase all content on the drive. You have to redownload everything after changing it to an NTFS.

Xbox PC app doesn't allow me to install games on external hard drive