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To make room on an Xbox Series X|S, move games you are not playing to a USB drive or delete them; for extra space that can still run Series X|S-optimized games, use the dedicated Xbox storage expansion card. A USB 3.1 drive can store any Xbox game and run backward-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles, but it cannot run Series X|S-optimized games directly.
Choose storage based on where you want to play
The key distinction is between storage for keeping a game and storage from which the console can run it. Xbox’s official comparison describes the options this way:
| Storage option | What it can do | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Internal console storage | Primary fast storage for installed games, including Series X|S-optimized titles. | Keep games here when they need internal storage to run. |
| Dedicated Xbox Series X|S storage expansion card | Runs Series X|S-optimized games. Xbox describes its performance as matching the internal SSD experience. It can also be set as a default install location, and games can be moved or copied between it and local storage. | Add immediately playable space for Series X|S-optimized games. |
| USB 3.1 external HDD or SSD | Stores Xbox games and runs backward-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles. It does not run Series X|S-optimized games. | Keep a game library or play compatible older titles without moving them back first. |
These capabilities are described in Xbox Wire’s Series X|S storage overview and the Microsoft Store Xbox Series S FAQ. The FAQ is specific to Series S; Xbox Wire’s overview discusses both Series X and Series S.
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Can you play Series X|S games from an external hard drive?
Not directly from a standard USB external drive, according to Xbox’s official storage comparison. You can store a Series X|S-optimized game there and move or copy it back to the console’s internal storage or a compatible expansion card when you want to play. A dedicated Series X|S expansion card is the external-storage option documented for running those optimized games.
#1 Best Overall
- EFFORTLESS XBOX INTEGRATION. Officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S consoles.
- ROOM FOR MORE GAMES. Up to 2TB(1) of storage gives you space to grow your library by up to 50(4) more games.
- NVME SPEED YOU CAN FEEL. Low-latency performance matches Xbox Velocity Architecture, so games play directly from the card.
- QUICK RESUME READY. Instantly switch between multiple suspended games without losing progress or waiting.
- XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE. Enjoy a 1-month trial with access to hundreds of games across console, PC, and cloud(2).
USB storage remains useful if you have backward-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, or original Xbox games: Xbox says those can run from a USB 3.1 drive. Check a game’s compatibility and storage behavior before moving it if you are unsure which category it falls into.
How to move games to external storage
Xbox confirms that you can move or copy games between local and external storage, and that the expansion card can be selected as a default install location. However, the current Xbox Support storage page does not provide readable instructions here, and dashboard labels can change. Rather than rely on an unverified Settings path or button sequence, use Xbox Support’s current Manage storage instructions on your console’s software version.
Rank #2
- EFFORTLESS XBOX INTEGRATION. Officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S consoles.
- ROOM FOR MORE GAMES. Up to 2TB(1) of storage gives you space to grow your library by up to 50(4) more games.
- NVME SPEED YOU CAN FEEL. Low-latency performance matches Xbox Velocity Architecture, so games play directly from the card.
- QUICK RESUME READY. Instantly switch between multiple suspended games without losing progress or waiting.
- XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE. Enjoy a 1-month trial with access to hundreds of games across console, PC, and cloud(2).
When choosing a destination, use the storage distinction above: put a Series X|S-optimized game on internal storage or the dedicated expansion card if you want to play it without moving it back. A USB drive is appropriate for storing it for later or for running compatible older games.
How to free up Xbox storage
- Move games you want to keep but are not playing. A USB drive can hold Series X|S-optimized games for later transfer; an expansion card can both hold and run them.
- Copy instead of move when you need a second stored copy. Xbox supports moving or copying games between local and external storage, but copying uses space on both destinations.
- Remove games you no longer need installed. Reinstalling later is a separate option from keeping an archive on a drive; deleting a game should not be confused with moving it to external storage.
- Set a preferred install destination. Xbox Wire says the expansion card can be selected as a default install location. Follow the current console instructions for the exact menu labels.
What to know about game sizes
Xbox Wire said in 2020 that many games would often be up to 30% smaller on average on Series S, in a discussion of game size and texture data. This was a general design expectation, not a guaranteed reduction for each title and not a storage-management setting; actual install sizes vary by game and updates.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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 1TB[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.
Rank #4
- Up to 6TB[1] that can hold up to 150 games[3], so that you can save old favorites and still have room for new titles.
- 1-Month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership included with purchase (1-Month trial offer of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for New Xbox Game Pass members only. Limit: 1 per person/account. Available for a limited time. See product packaging for full details.)
- Portable form factor that provides fast access to your gaming library, anywhere you go.
- High-performance HDD in speeds up to 130MB/s[2] to optimize your console or PC gaming experience.
- Purpose-built for gamers based on WD_Black quality and reliability.
Rank #3
- 1TB Storage Capacity: Instantly adds 1TB of additional storage to your Xbox console, giving you room for more games.
- Seamless Compatibility: Designed specifically for Xbox consoles, this expansion card integrates directly for plug-and-play use.
- Full-Speed Performance: Games run directly from the card at the same speed as the internal SSD, with no performance loss.
- Easy Installation: Simply plug the expansion card into the dedicated port on your Xbox console for instant added storage.
- Portable and Compact: The slim, lightweight design allows you to take your game library with you wherever you go.
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