How to Perform Xbox Series S Internal SSD Upgrade💡
Key Takeaways:
- Xbox Series S owners face storage limitations due to the small internal SSD. Limited space hampers game storage and performance, prompting the need for an upgrade.
- Upgrade the Xbox Series S internal SSD will require 3 stages to gain a better gaming performance:
- 1️⃣Prepare a new SSD for Xbox Series S upgrade
- 2️⃣Clone old Xbox Series S SSD to new SSD
- 3️⃣Install and set up new SSD in Xbox Series S
Sometimes, we need to upgrade the internal SSD of the Xbox Series S for various reasons. The most common cause could be limited storage. For whatever reason, you want to upgrade your SSD, in this article, Qiling will show the entire process of how to perform an Xbox Series S internal SSD upgrade so that you can easily upgrade your SSD on your own to enjoy the best gaming experience and optimize your console's performance through this comprehensive guide.
Can I Perform Xbox Series S Internal SSD Upgrade?
Yes, but not necessarily. It is possible to upgrade the Xbox Series S SSD, but there's typically no need since it utilizes a custom NVMe M.2 2230 SSD.
However, upgrading to a larger SSD can be beneficial if your storage capacity is insufficient for larger game installations, game data saves, and media storage. If you decide to upgrade the internal SSD, you must transfer the old data to the new SSD to preserve your data, settings, programs, and games. You must transfer the old data to the new computer if you don't have the proprietary SSD inside the Xbox Series S. Below, we outline the steps to perform the upgrade seamlessly.
If you found this article helpful in upgrading your Xbox Series X's SSD, you can click the social buttons to share it with others in need.
How to Perform Xbox Series S Internal SSD Upgrade?
Various stages are involved in upgrading the SSD of the Xbox Series S. Follow this section step-by-step; we split it into three stages.
Stage 1. Prepare for the Xbox Series S Internal SSD Upgrade
#1. Choose a suitable new SSD for the Xbox Series S.
You first need to get a better SSD for the Xbox Series S and ensure the Xbox Series recognizes it. Think about your goal for upgrading the Xbox Series S SSD - 1️⃣a better gaming experience; 2️⃣or, to get a bigger gaming storage.
- Recommendation by Gameradar:
- WD Black C50 Expansion Card: for quick game recovery, to maximize the value and functionality of your games.
- Seagate Official Storage Expansion Card is a good choice for greater capacity.
Guide 2. Format New SSD to exFAT format.
To ensure compatibility between the SSD and the Xbox Series, you will need to format the Xbox SSD to a suitable format first:
- Insert the new SSD into an SSD enclosure.
- Connect the SSD to your computer as a removable storage.
- Initialize the new SSD in Disk Management.
- Run a third-party SSD formatting tool like Qiling Disk Master for help. (Windows built-in tool can't format SSD to exFAT.)
Complete Guide: Format External Hard Drive for Xbox
Guide 3. Remove the old SSD from your Xbox Series S.
Step 1. Turn off your Xbox and disconnect all cables. Then, use tweezers to remove the screw covers and unscrew the back panel.
Step 2. Remove the plastic case and detach the power button, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth boards.
Step 3. And continue disconnecting and removing the power supply, fan, motherboard screws, and the motherboard with the SSD card.
Step 4. Unplug the old Xbox Series SSD with your game data from the Xbox console and insert the SSD into an SSD enclosure.
Note: When you get the new SSD with your Xbox data, as shown in Stage 2, follow these steps in reverse order to reassemble it.
Stage 2. Upgrade Xbox Series S Internal SSD without Data Loss
After getting both old and new SSD disk drives connected to your computer, you can start the cloning process to save the Xbox Series S's entire data, your programs, and games to avoid data loss.
Qiling Disk Master is a handy tool for cloning the original SSD and assisting you in upgrading your SSD without data loss. It simplifies the complex process of cloning by providing an intuitive interface. You don't need to be a tech expert to use it effectively.
Follow the steps to clone the original SSD to upgrade the hard disk without losing game data: (select "Clone Data Disk" mode)
Step 1. Select the source disk.
- Click the "Tools" tab page. Select the "Clone OS Disk" or "Clone Data Disk" and click "Next".
- Choose the source disk and click "Next".
Step 2. Select the target disk.
- Choose the wanted HDD/SSD as your destination and click "Next" to continue.
Step 3. View the disk layout and edit the target disk partition size.
Then click "Continue" when the program warns it will wipe out all data on the target disk. (If you have valuable data on the target disk, back up it in advance.)
You can customize your disk layout. (Select the last one if you want to leave more space for C drive.)
Step 4. Click "Proceed" to start the disk cloning process.
Read Warning message and confirm "Yes" button.
Stage 3. Install the New SSD to Xbox Series S Console
Once you complete the process of cloning your old internal SSD to the new SSD through Qiling Disk Master, you need to install the new SSD in your Xbox Series S. To install a new SSD in your Xbox Series S. You can follow steps in the reverse order from stage 1 to insert the new one in the same place and follow the entire steps in reverse order from the above stage 1 to reassemble your Xbox Series S.
For more detailed steps, you can check the video from YouTube:
Bonus Tip: How to Upgrade Xbox Series S Storage?
Upgrading your Xbox Series S storage is easier than you might think, and you don't necessarily have to replace the internal SSD. For a comprehensive and detailed guide, click this link:
How to Upgrade Xbox Series X/S Storage [Ultimate Guideline]
Learn and follow how to upgrade the storage device of the Xbox series X/S with two effective methods.
Two main ways to enhance your storage capacity are to expand it with an official Xbox Series S Expansion Card or add external storage. Let's briefly go over these options.
Guide 1: Expand Storage with Xbox Series S Expansion
- The official Xbox Series S Expansion Card is the easiest and most seamless way to increase your storage capacity.
- Simply plug it into the dedicated expansion slot on your Xbox Series S, and you're good to go.
- It provides high-speed storage that matches the internal SSD performance.
Guide 2: Add External Storage to Xbox Series S
- You can add external storage to your Xbox Series S if you want a more cost-effective option.
- You'll need an external USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 storage device with sufficient capacity.
- Format the drive to the appropriate file system and connect it to one of the Xbox's USB ports.
- Your Xbox Series S will recognize it as additional storage, and you can use it for game installations and more.
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Conclusion
For various reasons, the significance of upgrading the internal SSD of your Xbox Series S arises. Whether you're facing storage limitations or simply looking to optimize your gaming experience, it's possible to upgrade the SSD but not always necessary because you can expand the storage limit without replacing the internal SSD with Xbox Series S Expansion Card and adding External Storage to Xbox Series S. For a smooth and seamless SSD upgrade, give Qiling Disk Master a try.
FAQs About Xbox Series S Internal SSD Upgrade
If you have any queries or want to learn more about upgrading your Xbox Series S's internal SSD, follow the FAQs below.
1. Is any SSD compatible with the Xbox Series S?
Not all SSDs are compatible with the Xbox Series S. It uses a custom NVMe M.2 2230 SSD. You should choose a compatible SSD for the upgrade.
2. How fast is the Xbox Series S internal SSD?
The Xbox Series S internal SSD is fast and offers high-speed performance to reduce loading times and improve the gaming experience. According to some sources, the ability for the console to access 2.4 GB/s of data per second - or 4.8GB/s uncompressed.
3. How to upgrade the internal SSD on Xbox Series X?
To upgrade the internal SSD on the Xbox Series X, you can follow a procedure like upgrading the Xbox Series S SSD, discussed in detail in this guide. However, remember that the Xbox Series X uses a different form factor for its internal SSD. So first, you should choose the suitable internal SSD for your Xbox Series X.
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