XBOX ONE – How To Install A Bigger Hard Drive

Team Xecuter writes: "I think one of our dev team may have figured out how to successfully install a bigger HDD to an XBOX ONE. Tested with a 1TB so far and it seems to work well"

[Sarcasm]

Well this is good news for X1 owners because 500GB (or more like 400GB) isn't going to be enough down the line.

[svoulis]

I wish it was good news, I'd take it apart right now and install a 1TB. But that would void my warranty, and...well

I don't trust launch consoles enough to tear them apart year 1.

So its not really good news...Unless you plan on buying a new one of it craps out.

[UnHoly_One]

Yeah I would highly recommend that NOBODY tries this themselves.

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

I'd bet almost anything the first time they release a system update that this console quits working.

[SilentNegotiator]

Furthermore, Microsoft disabled third party hard drives on Xbox 360, so you're risking losing all of your save data.

[Volkama]

I'd do it for a faster drive. Drive speed is a real low point on the console IMO. Unfortunately afaik it is sata2, so I won't get the speed I'm after.

Save files won't be lost, they all cloud-sync.

[MazzingerZ]

"I think..." LOL

Yeah guys, trust this guy or anyone on Youtube, go ahead and ruin your X1...

[GutZ31]

For both PS4 and XboxOne, I strongly suggest not changing your hard drive, until at least February of next year. By then, higher density hard drive should be cheaper, and Available.

[cleft5]

I am pretty sure this will void your warranty and you might actually want to keep those for intact being early adopters.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

I am gonna upgrade my gpu..

1)remove xbox from table.
2)replace with ps4..
3)done..

[DatNJDom81]

@shutupandtakemymoney

Bazing!

[FamilyGuy]

What a horrible idea, the external HDD option will be ready soon enough.

Looking at this absolute hassle just makes me appreciate Sony allowing internal hard drive upgrades in an easy to do way.

Voiding your warranty for this on top of it being such a hassle is just ridiculous. All just to avoid using an external HDD or impatience waiting for that to be an option.
I understand why these modders would do it but I wouldn't suggest this to any regular person that just wants to play games.

[GribbleGrunger]

I wouldn't advise anyone to do this. You'll void your warranty, so it's much better to wait until you get external HDD support.

[ToyboxDX]

I agreed, although seeing how MS overcharges their HDD, I won't be surprised if they only allow MS branded or licensed (read expensive) 3rd party drives only.

[esemce]

AND risk getting your CONSOLE BANNED dont do it people.

[ABizzel1]

There's no point in installing a bigger HDD if externals become compatible and you can save to the external. If anything you want to install an SSD for increased speeds and save everything to an external which offer significantly more space and speed for a lower price.

[ToyboxDX]

MS have yet to come clean on exactly how the XBone can work with an external HDD.

For all we know it could be below.

1. Only MS branded or 3rd party overpriced HDD allowed.
2. Can only store media contents, meaning games cannot be installed to it.

Just have to wait and see, although I won't be too optimistic given MS's past business practices.

[BaconBits]

well you could install games on the 360 so why would they not allow it on the One(?). I am sure they will limit the size though like they did on 360.

[PSX04]

hackers is the real hero's here ..... welcome to the next Generation from Microsoft

[Elit3Nick]

At least when external drive support comes in the future it will eliminate this problem. And it helps that you can bring said drive to a friend's house so you don't need to reinstall a game on his xbox.

[WAR_MACHINE77]

I really think you're going to be very disappointed with the external HDD option when it comes. First of all there is NO WAY they are going to let you install games to them. It would just make it way too simple to load roms. Second, even if they did let you install games the transfer speed through the usb would be too slow to run the game properly. I can't see an external being allowed for anything other than game saves, movies, music and what not.

[Totoro17]

Why the downvotes? It's completely true. I had to get a 1TB (from the standard 500gb) that the PS4 came with because the games are going to be HUGE and let's not forget that 100gb is reserved for system updates and such.

[FamilyGuy]

It's not worth voiding your warranty over (in this, the X1s case). That why people are disagreeing. It's not a good idea and it's impractical.

The PS4 solution is much easier to do and it doesn't void the warranty.

[snake_eater]

They will probably start banning these consoles from xbox live if they detect different hard drives.

[MajorAly]

One would be voiding their warranty anyway if they open up their console so if Microsoft bans them for a simple upgrade of their HDD then that would be an all time low as they are already giving up their warranty to get a basic feature that should've been included.

[UnHoly_One]

Who are you to say it "should have been included"?? What is it with people nowadays that think they should just be able to make their own rules if those presented to them don't suit their needs??

Microsoft made this device, they choose what the consumer can and can't do with it, and it's up to you if you want to buy one based on those rules. The decision of how something works isn't yours to make.

If they want, for whatever reason, to ban anyone from using their service that has modified a console like this, it is totally within their rights.

The self entitlement nowadays just kills me... Some day you people need to grow up and realize you don't get to make your own rules for everything.

[Sam Fisher]

@unholy one
I know that is your opinion, but you sound like a pure drone that lives day by day under rules not living like a human should be living, free. If you buy something with your blood, sweat and tears, you pretty much have your own say to it. The way you speak is as if you wouldve agreed with the drm and being monitored 24/7, i understand it is your opinion but seriously, to change a hdd?, why isnt that my own choice by now, why do i have to submit to what any company say?, its my borrowed promisary note that i worked hard to get, and i can use it how ever i like, freedom dude, live it. And for your info, you should be the one to grow up, youre the one who like to be watched over, told what to do, and stay under control, sounds to me like a little kid whos cant seem to let go of mommy or daddy.

[hazardman]

@ sam fisher.

There is no such thing as living free. Nothing in this world is free. And just cause you work hard for something doesnt mean you have a say on how consumer products are made. You act as if your buying food or something.

Anyway, since i work very hard, i think im gonna call Xbox and ask for 1080p, 1tb hdd, and a nicer looking case, no kinect and throw in a side order of xbl.

@unholy
Your right pimp!!

[FragMnTagM]

All I gotta say is APPLE!

They are the kings of doing stupid shit like this.

A hundred to two hundred dollar difference for 16gb of storage GTFO!

Microsoft isn't that bad when you compare their device to other companies.

That said, I would have liked to have at least a TB HDD.

[FamilyGuy]

I agree with MajorAly, it should have been included. MS has their system setup to install every game to the HDD, it never reads/plays games straight from the disc so the ability to upgrade the HDD should exist from day 1. Whether it be from internal or external the option should be there. These retail games are all in the 20 to 50 Gb range so it won't take long to fill that 400Gbs that's left anyway.

People are getting too use to the crappy Apple way of doing things. It's not "entitlement", it's called being consumer friendly.

[LoveSpuds]

@UnholyOne

broadly speaking I agree with you, people are simply way to over entitled these days, when you look back at the fuss over Mass Effect 3 for example.

This issue however, is silly. That hardrive is very small and the system should have been built to swap out the drive similar to how the PS4 has IMO.

[dc1]

Re:ME
The people who complain were the people who invested considerable hours and money in the franchise as well as the promises of the developers.
These people are also the folks who help make the franchise a social footprint on the game market. They have a right to complain, protest and request. Consumers are never entitled.

Keep this in mind when bringing up ME in the future. Cheers :)

[hazardman]

True that, but despite the small hdd i couldve sworn MS is gonna let you use external and dont forget that they also said the cloud would work for saves as well.

[LoveSpuds]

I was one of those who invested in the characters and the franchise too and sure, the ending was underwhelming but that was what the developers decided to put out.

It was their creative vision, their product. Who the hell is the average Joe to DEMAND a rewrite and make all sorts of threats and go mental - it was a fucking game! So what if you didn't like the ending, do you know what, don't buy the next game if you were that upset.

The internet has just created more and more cry babies just waiting to be offended by the next sexist comment or inappropriate games content.

If the biggest worry in your life is the disappointing ending to a game then you need to share your secret, because there are tens of millions of people really suffering out there!

[jerethdagryphon]

last time they had a bunch of securuuty sectors on the drive to stop it being switched out
im surprised they dont this time

[stuna1]

Incoming update! "Warning I've been tampered with!"

[Grave]

"Report from Xbox One #123211 to Microsoft Warranty Department: 11/30/2013 9:51 a.m.; Owner put their fingers inside me."

[AlexanderNevermind]

MS to consumer...Your X1 is now disabled and you are banned from X-live for one year..

[LGM313]

Just wait until your warranty expires, not everyone will fill it up in a year. But was a sad decision on not letting costumers upgrade the hard drives the easy way.

[Blackdeath_663]

and void your warranty in the process...

i said before that 500GB is not enough and will hold 10-15 games max at which point everyone and their dog started bitching at me on N4G saying things like "games are only 10 gigs" they were only small because they were limited by DVD game, on ps3 games were already reaching 40+GB and that's on an 8 year old piece of kit. well i take pleasure in saying i told you so, no big deal since a patch for external HDD probably and should be on its way but its still more inconvenient than replacing the internal HDD with an SSHD for bigger space and faster load times

[SpinalRemains138]

That's very solid news.

[curtis92]

STEP ONE: Void Warranty.

[MasterCornholio]

The issue with this is that you would void the warranty.

[iamnsuperman]

The risk here is if Microsoft release an update that could ban users who do this. This is a hack (not just an upgrade) and Microsoft won't like that (possible piracy claims)

[DealWithIt]

Don't forget to kiss that warranty goodbye before you do this!

[Nujabes_]

Can someone say this again? I didn't hear the first 700 times.

[Nujabes_]

Thanks.

[Double_O_Revan]

Well I think it should be said again. I didn't see that information anywhere in the article.

Some idiot will read it and go upgrade his hard drive, not knowing, and hopefully nothing happens to his system, because he'd be SOL.

[rainslacker]

Hmmm...is it really spam if someone requests for it to be said again?

I think DealWithIt is suffering from entrapment here.

[Totoro17]

Keep repeating that shit. This is reason #1,355 I don't care for Xbox. We PS3/PS4 owners can upgrade that for super cheap AND it's covered by Sony.

[fendernow]

Great article. I love it. We need more Xbox One good news article. So many gamers are missing out on the experience.

[yesmynameissumo]

Voiding your warranty b/c MS wants you to use external storage is "good news"? Ha!

[TristanPR77]

Change the hard drive at the cost of loosing the warranty and that Microsoft ban the console is not good. The risk is too high.

[EazyDuz22]

I bet so many people are going to attempt doing this and ruining their console in the process.
Then all your voided Xbox will be good for is a professional VCR impersonator.

[stuna1]

No I don't think so....if anything this could possible give Microsoft the breathing room to sell more consoles. Maybe not to the degree that it happened with the 360, but you know it's going to happen, especially for the hard core fan.

[EazyDuz22]

Nah

[Kennytaur]

Does it have USB 3.0? Because if so, external is probably the way to go.

[Volkama]

Yes it does, but the external drive support isn't there yet.

[famoussasjohn]

Yes, 3 USB 3.0 slots. Externals aren't supported yet, but hopefully soon.

[KontryBoy706]

very ANTI consumer way microsoft did this

[kingPoS]

The irony of needing Linux to upgrade the HDD of a Windows based console. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Gateway MT6706 2008

[mochachino]

So void your warranty and in an update MS may brick or ban your console due to compatibility issues.

[Miacosa]

Since the process voids your warranty its best to wait until it runs out to try this upgrade.

[Gore-Content]

Have fun voiding your warranty.

[Smootherkuzz]

When you agree to the policy that comes with a product and you get caught breaking that policy then you are breaking the law. Game over. If you have a better ideal then make a console put it on the market and let people mod it to what ever they choose WHO knows it might be a big hit.

[rainslacker]

You're not breaking any law. It's a civil matter akin to contracts. MS can prevent you from using the service, and even the product if they choose based on that contract, but no criminal charges will ever be filed.

By law, a person can do whatever they want with a system they own. Jail breaking and modding any device is perfectly legal. What you may do with that jail broken or modded device may not be though.

[dennett316]

Just wait until external USB 3 drives are supported. You can get any size you want (not restricted to 2.5"), USB 3 is almost as fast as an internal SATA II, and you won't void your warranty.
Also, with a single system update, they could detect a non-standard internal drive and ban you from Live or something. Not worth the time and effort.

[Bathyj]

I hope no one was actually dumb enough to do this

[Ohai]

Yea this is like my new 21.5 imac. Ram isn't user accessible but you can take the screen and everything else apart to change it. I wouldn't touch it.