Connect External Drives Larger than 16TB to Xbox Consoles

New Xbox Software Update Expands External Hard Drive Capacity

Microsoft has launched a significant software update for Xbox consoles, introducing enhancements that cater particularly to gamers with extensive libraries. The latest version, 10.0.26100.3362, is now accessible for download, bringing with it the ability for Xbox systems to recognize external hard drives with impressive storage capacities.

Expanded Storage Options

Prior to this update, the maximum size for supported external hard drives was 16TB. With the new update, Xbox consoles can now accommodate drives of up to 20TB, 22TB, and potentially larger sizes. For instance, the Toshiba N300 PRO 20TB model is compatible. However, users should be prepared for the necessity of formatting these drives upon first connection to the Xbox. This means that if you own a sizable drive already filled with games, transferring that data can be quite the endeavor.

Backward Compatibility Limitations

It’s important to highlight that while the Xbox Series X and Series S can now utilize larger external drives, they still have restrictions regarding backward compatibility. Only games designed for previous generations can be played from these external USB drives, regardless of whether an SSD is used. Conversely, titles specifically created for the current-generation consoles must be installed on the internal storage or on expansion cards, such as those provided by Seagate.

What’s Included in the Update

Aside from the enhancement in external hard drive support, the update does not introduce any additional features. Microsoft has provided the following details in their release notes:

OS version: 10.0.26100.3362 (xb_flt_2502ge.250212-2140)

Support for larger external hard drives

Now, you can connect hard drives of virtually any size to your Xbox console. Each drive will create partitions with a maximum capacity of 16TB per partition.

This update allows you to keep all your games installed on a single device effortlessly.