Install Xbox One OS on a new hard drive - 2021 Guide (2023)

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The Xbox One S and Xbox One X consoles have been around for over 10 years, so it's not surprising that their internal hard drives need a little TCL and maintenance. With new operating systems (OS) released by Microsoft almost every month, it's always a good idea to have the latest version installed, but what if you have a faulty hard drive and need to install the latest version of Microsoft's operating system?

In this guide we will walk you through the process of installing the latest Microsoft OSU1 file onto your new super fast hard drive.

Install Xbox One OS on a new hard drive - 2021 Guide (1)

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    How to install the Xbox One operating system on a new hard drive: the basics

    Let's start with some important points: When installing a new hard drive in an Xbox One S or Xbox One X, the maximum capacity that the Xbox will recognize is 2TB. higher than that, you're just wasting your hard-earned money.

    (Video) How to Upgrade/Replace Your Xbox One HDD! - SSD/HDD Upgrade Guide for X1, One S, One X

    The second point is the form factor: only a 2.5-inch hard drive fits in the Xbox One S and Xbox One X.

    After that is done, to install the Xbox One operating system on a new hard drive, you will need a USB stick (pen).at leastCapacity 8GB (latest version of Microsoft OSU1 file is 5.2GB!). It's always better to use a blank USB stick than one that has all your family photos on it, as we need to make sure it's formatted in a specific way.

    prepare everything

    In order to install Xbox One OS on a new hard drive, we need to download the files: the OSU1 file (the actual operating system) and the boot animation files.

    "Startup animation files" are the files that display the green Xbox startup logo when you turn on your Xbox. Don't know where to find them? Don't worry, we're here for you... You can easily download them by clicking the link below.

    Next you need the actual OSU1 files - these files are the actual Xbox operating system files and you should only be using the latest version from Microsoft. To save you from searching the Microsoft website we've added a direct link below: This link will download the latest OSU1 files directly from Microsoft and will be the latest version available.

    Tip: If the download doesn't start, right-click the button below and choose "Save Link As"

    Prepare your new hard drive

    Now you have your new hard drive, but it should be completely blank and empty. Most new hard drives are already empty. So if you "borrowed" a hard drive from an old laptop (we all know that), you need to connect the hard drive to a PC or laptop and run WindowsDisk Managementto erase all data on the hard drive.

    To connect the hard drive to your PC, you need oneUSB hard drive compartmentlike this option here -Tool-free 2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure

    Place the hard drive in your USB hard drive caddy and connect it to your PC. After a few moments, your PC will recognize the hard drive. Now run Windows Disk Management. In Windows Disk Management simply locate the hard drive you just plugged in and delete ALL the partitions on the hard drive.

    Copy files to USB

    Hopefully the OSU1 files have finished downloading now. Now it's time to copy them to your USB storage device.

    First we need to prepare the pendrive, so plug the pendrive into your PC or laptop and format it to NTFS (must be NTFS to work).

    Open the downloaded OSU1.zip file and copy the $SystemUpdate folder to the USB stick; Copy the entire $SystemUpdate folder.

    The only folder you should have on your USB flash drive now is the $SystemUpdate folder.

    (Video) Replace / Upgrade XBOX One Hard Drive using Windows - Fix Error E101, E102, E200, E203, E305 (2021)

    Install the operating system on your Xbox

    Now back to the Xbox. Install your new (blank) hard drive and turn on your Xbox.

    You will see an error message E106 System Error (or similar), that's good news!

    Insert the prepared USB stick containing the $SystemUpdate folder and select "Troubleshoot" and then "Offline Update".

    After a few seconds you will see a progress bar as the XBox installs the new OSU1 file on the hard drive and motherboard firmware.

    Depending on the speed of the hard drive you have installed, this entire process will take around 10 minutes.

    Once the process is complete, the Xbox will restart and take you back to the Control Panel. Congratulations. You've replaced your hard drive and installed the latest version of the Xbox operating system.

    What? No boot animation?

    Previously, we downloaded the boot animation files. This is because most of the time, when installing the updated operating system on a new hard drive, the Xbox does not automatically copy the necessary files to show the boot animation when the XBox is turned on. This is the green "Xbox logo" screen that you see when you first turn on your Xbox.

    So how can we bring the boot animation screen back to life? Easy..

    Remove the hard drive from your Xbox (remember what we said earlier, DO NOT fully install it yet) and reconnect it to your PC or laptop.

    Open Windows Disk Management again and you will see your Xbox hard drive with multiple partitions installed. The partition that interests us the most is the "System Update" partition.

    If the "System Update" partition is not assigned a Windows drive letter, simply right-click Disk Management and select "Assign a drive letter" and click "Next" to accept the default drive letter assigned by Windows ; Make a note of the drive letter that Windows assigns to the partition.

    Open the bootanimation.zip file you downloaded earlier and you'll see two folders, one called "Xbox One S and Phat" and another called "Xbox One X" depending on which console you're working on Put the bootanim file in both the "A" folder and the "B" folder on the drive that Windows created earlier.

    am i still confused

    Have you seen our YouTube channel? Here's a video showing the whole process and some other video suggestions that we think might help you.

    Here's a video from our friends attweaktips.comshows the best way to disassemble an Xbox One S

    (Video) How to Upgrade your Xbox One X and Xbox One S to SSD Drive. WITHOUT Scripts and Software!

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    FAQs

    How do you format a new hard drive for Xbox One? ›

    How to Format an External Hard Drive for Xbox One?
    1. Step 1: Connect the Hard Drive to Xbox One. First and foremost, plug the USB 3.0 Xbox one external hard drive into one of the vacant USB port using the included cable.
    2. Step 2: Choose Games & Apps. ...
    3. Step 3: Give Your Device a Name. ...
    4. Step 4: Format External Hard Drive.

    Can you download the Xbox operating system? ›

    The Xbox Offline System Update (OSU) process allows you to update your console by downloading a file to a USB flash drive and then installing that file directly onto your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One console. To use the Offline System Update, you'll need: A Windows-based PC with an Internet connection and a USB port.

    How do I reset my Xbox OS? ›

    Step 2: Reset your console

    To reset your console from the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter, select Reset this Xbox. When prompted, select Keep games and apps. This option will reset the OS and delete all potentially corrupted data without deleting your games or apps.

    How do I replace my hard drive and reinstall operating system? ›

    How to Replace a Hard Drive and Reinstall an Operating System
    1. Back up data. ...
    2. Create a recovery disc. ...
    3. Remove the old drive. ...
    4. Place the new drive. ...
    5. Reinstall the operating system. ...
    6. Reinstall your programs and files.
    8 Dec 2018

    Can I install OS without CD or USB? ›

    There are a few programs out there that can help you do this by creating a “virtual drive” from which you can mount an “ISO image”. An ISO image is an archive file that contains the same information found on an optical disc, such as a Windows installation CD. One free program you could use is Virtual CloneDrive.

    How do I completely format my Xbox One? ›

    Reset using your console
    1. Press the Xbox button  to open the guide.
    2. Select Profile & system > Settings > System > Console info.
    3. Select Reset console.
    4. On the Reset your console? screen, you'll see three options: Reset and remove everything. This option resets the console to factory settings.

    Does Xbox One use FAT32 or NTFS? ›

    The Xbox One does not use FAT32, the Xbox 360 uses FAT32 and the Xbox One uses NTFS. If you're having an issue with the Xbox One not seeing the external hdd then make sure you're external hdd is formatted as NTFS and that it meets these requirements. It uses a USB 3.0 connection.

    How do I format my hard drive for the first time? ›

    PC Instructions
    1. Select the drive you wish to format from the list.
    2. Right click on the drive and select Format.
    3. Enter a name for the drive in Volume label and select the format type in the File system dropdown box.
    4. Click OK. It will take a short while to delete all the files and change the format of the disk.

    How many GB is Xbox one OS? ›

    Xbox consoles come with either a 500-gigabyte (GB) or a 1-terabyte (TB) internal storage drive. Most of this space is available for games and apps, though some is reserved for saved games, console software, and other system functions. So, even with no games installed, you won't see the full 500 GB or 1 TB free.

    What is Xbox one OS called? ›

    1.1. System. The Xbox One console runs on an operating system that includes the Windows 10 core, although initially it included the Windows 8 core at the Xbox One's release. The Xbox One system software contains a heavily modified Hyper-V hypervisor (known as NanoVisor) as its host OS and two partitions.

    What OS is Xbox One using? ›

    Xbox One console runs on operating system that includes the Windows 10 core called OneCore. OneCore is Windows-based operating system using the Hyper-V hypervisor (VMM) and Windows 10.

    How do I factory reset my Xbox One without a TV? ›

    Simply press the Xbox button, head to Profile & System > Settings > System > Console info > Reset console. You can now choose whether to keep your data and apps or reset everything.

    Will Xbox One turn on without hard drive? ›

    The operating system resides on the hard drive, so if you don't have a hard drive, your Xbox has no idea what to do when you turn it on. Opening the case voids your warranty, so if you opened your Xbox and modified your system, you won't get much help from Microsoft on this issue. Was this reply helpful?

    How do I update my Xbox OS? ›

    Update manually
    1. Make sure that your console is connected to the internet, and then press the Xbox button  to open the guide.
    2. Select Profile & system> Settings > System > Updates.
    3. Under Updates, you'll see: Console update available. Select this to begin your update, or. No console update available.

    Can I copy my operating system to a new hard drive? ›

    You can transfer your operating system to a new hard drive or SSD without reinstalling the windows. There are effective way and free tools with the help of which you can move the Windows operating system or Mac OS to the new hard drive.

    Can I transfer my OS to a new hard drive? ›

    When it comes to moving your operating system to another hard drive, you have two choices - start from scratch and do a new operating system (OS) install or simply move it from your old drive.

    Does replacing hard drive delete OS? ›

    If you'll replace your hard drive, you will need to reinstall your operating system again. We suggest you back up your files first and make sure that you'll have the installation media, or System Recovery Disk together with your Windows Product Key prepared.

    Can a system run without OS? ›

    Without an OS, a laptop is useless as a PC. It's just a bunch of hardware otherwise. You need an OS to run and execute programs.

    Can a system work without OS? ›

    It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless. Watch the video below to learn more about operating systems.

    Can you run an operating system off a USB? ›

    Loading and running Windows 10 or Windows 11 from a USB drive is a handy option when you're using a computer saddled with an older operating system. If you're using a PC outfitted with an older version of Windows but want a more up-to-date operating system, you can run Windows 10 or 11 directly from a USB drive.

    How do I format a SSD for Xbox One? ›

    Go to Settings, click "System", select "External Drive" and select "Format for games & apps". Or, click "Format storage device" on a format pop-up window that'll guide you through formatting the SSD.

    What happens if you format Xbox hard drive? ›

    When you plug the USB drive into the Xbox One for the first time, you should be prompted to format the drive for Game and Apps. This will allow you to play and save games on the drive but formatting the drive will erase any data that may be on the drive. Make sure that you have any data backed up prior to formatting.

    What NAT port should I use for Xbox One? ›

    Ports required to use the Xbox network

    Port 3074 (UDP and TCP) Port 53 (UDP and TCP)

    Should I choose NTFS or exFAT? ›

    Q #2) What is the best format for a hard drive? Answer: NTFS (New Technology for File System) is the recommended format if you intend to use a drive on Windows operating system. However, if you want to use a storage device on both Windows and macOS, the best format is exFAT.

    Should I choose NTFS or FAT32? ›

    The FAT32 file system cannot store individual files larger than 4 GB, while the NTFS file system can. Compared to FAT32, the NTFS file system has higher disk utilization and can manage disk space more effectively. The read and write speeds of NTFS are also faster than that of FAT32.

    Does a new hard drive need formatting? ›

    If you have a new HDD or SSD, you should format it. Through formatting, you can wipe old data, malware, bloatware, and you can change the file system.

    Should I full format new hard drive? ›

    If the drive is brand new, you should be fine with a quick format. If the drive has corrupted sectors (or even if you think that it does), it would be worth your time to do the full format. If you want to play it safe, ensure that you do at least one full format to the drive.

    How do I completely format my hard drive from BIOS? ›

    How to Format A Hard Drive from BIOS?
    1. Step 1 Change the Booting Sequence from BIOS.
    2. Step 2 Load the Windows Installation Media.
    3. Step 3 Format the Hard Drive Entirely.
    4. Step 1 Launch Command Prompt.
    5. Step 2 Format a Hard Drive in BIOS via Command Prompt.
    6. Step 1 Pick a location to scan.
    7. Step 2 Recover your data from the drive.

    Is Xbox One a x86 or x64? ›

    Moving away from its predecessor's PowerPC-based architecture, the Xbox One marks a shift back to the x86 architecture used in the original Xbox; it features an AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) built around the x86-64 instruction set.

    Is 512 GB alot for Xbox? ›

    The question asked was “is 512GB enough?” It's enough to function, absolutely. But it's not enough to spare many users an ongoing struggle to manage storage over the console's expected lifespan, locking them into a continual cycle of downloading, deleting, and re-downloading games as needs and whim dictate.

    Why does my Xbox One only have 300 GB? ›

    Part of it is for system files and part of the reason is because of how manufacturers label hard drives. Hard drive manufacturers round up the amount of storage space to make it an even number, but because of the way storage size is actually calculated, hard drives have less than that amount of storage space.

    What is the latest Xbox OS? ›

    Xbox 360 software
    From top: the "Blades" user interface; the "New Xbox Experience"; the "Metro" interface
    DeveloperMicrosoft
    Initial release2.0.1888.0 / November 22, 2005
    Latest release2.0.17559.0 / November 12, 2019
    Latest preview2.0.17511.0 / November 10, 2016
    9 more rows

    Can Xbox 1 run Linux? ›

    The Xbox is a legacy-free PC by Microsoft that consists of an Intel Celeron 733 MHz CPU, an nVidia GeForce 3MX, 64 MB of RAM, a 8/10 GB hard disk, a DVD drive and 10/100 Ethernet. As on every PC, you can run Linux on it.

    How old is OS Xbox? ›

    The original Xbox was released on November 15, 2001, in North America, February 22, 2002, in Japan, and March 14, 2002, in Australia and Europe. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console market.

    Can Windows 10 run Xbox? ›

    First, I wanted to be clear on this point: There is no way for the Xbox Series S or X to run windows 10. It can't be installed on the Xbox's internal SSD nor can it be installed on an external hard drive and “side loaded” onto the console.

    Does Windows 11 run Xbox? ›

    One of the great new features with Windows 11 is playing Xbox games on your PC or notebook. Windows 11 will turn your PC into an Xbox with over 400 titles, including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon, and Final Fantasy XV.

    What OS does Japan use? ›

    Operating SystemsPercentage Market Share
    Operating System Market Share in Japan - November 2022
    Android13.36%
    Unknown8.39%
    OS X7.2%
    3 more rows

    How do I reinstall OS from flash drive? ›

    Turn on the PC and press the key that opens the boot-device selection menu for the computer, such as the Esc/F10/F12 keys. Select the option that boots the PC from the USB flash drive. Windows Setup starts. Follow the instructions to install Windows.

    Can I install an Xbox game from a flash drive? ›

    If you have a USB 3.0 external storage with a capacity of 128 GB or greater, you can use it to hold Xbox games and apps. Alternatively, you can use the drive to store and play music, videos, and pictures on Xbox using the Media Player app.

    How do I update my Xbox with a USB? ›

    Step 2: Update your console
    1. You can update your console using the Xbox Startup Troubleshooter. ...
    2. Plug the USB flash drive with the Offline System Update files into a USB port on your Xbox console. ...
    3. When the update is complete, the console will restart and you should be returned to the Home screen.

    Does a factory reset reinstall the OS? ›

    A factory reset effectively destroys all data stored in the unit. Factory resets can fix many chronic performance issues (i.e. freezing), but it does not remove the device's operating system.

    How do I reinstall operating system without CD? ›

    How do I reinstall Windows without a disk?
    1. Go to "Start" > "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery".
    2. Under "Reset this PC option", tap "Get Started".
    3. Choose "Remove everything" and then choose to "Remove files and clean the drive".
    4. Finally, click "Reset" to begin reinstalling Windows 10.
    22 Sept 2022

    Does installing a new OS wipe a drive? ›

    Installing a new [windows] OS never actually deletes all your files/data unless you **SPECIFICALLY** choose to delete your partition or reformat your SSD/HDD.

    Can you install Xbox One games on external hard drive instead of the console? ›

    If you have games that are using up a lot of space, you can transfer them to an external storage device. For steps on setting up external storage, see the “Set up external storage” section, below. Press the Xbox button  to open the guide, select My games & apps > See all > Games.

    Can I use any external hard drive for Xbox One? ›

    Q: Does any external hard drive work with Xbox One? In 2022, pretty much any external hard drive should work with an Xbox One. As long as it fits the requirements above—128GB or more of space and a USB 3.0 interface—the Xbox One will support it.

    Can you play games directly from external hard drive Xbox? ›

    Both the Xbox Series X and S support external USB drives. However, unlike previous Xbox consoles that allowed you to play those games from the external USB drive, you will not be able to play games optimized for Series X|S consoles from the USB drives. External Storage Requirements: Capacity must be 128 GB or larger.

    Can you manually update Xbox One? ›

    Update manually

    You can also get an update at any time by following these steps: Make sure that your console is connected to the internet, and then press the Xbox button  to open the guide. Select Profile & system> Settings > System > Updates.

    Can you force Xbox to update? ›

    Online consoles: To force your console, do a manual update: Press the Xbox button  to open the guide. Select Profile & system > Settings > System > Updates & downloads.

    Can I update my Xbox One without Internet? ›

    “How can I update my Xbox One without internet connection or a flash drive?” As has been mentioned, you can't. The only two viable options are: On line update.

    Can you update BIOS with USB Drive? ›

    Plug the USB flash drive into the computer that you want to flash the BIOS to. Turn that computer on and enter the boot menu by tapping the F12 key at the Splash screen as the computer starts up. Under OTHER OPTIONS, select BIOS Flash Update.

    Can you update BIOS with a flash drive? ›

    Updating BIOS - UEFI Method

    Use the boards UEFI interface to navigate to the board's BIOS update section usually dubbed "EZ-Flash," "M-Flash" or the like. Once started, you will be asked to navigate to the BIOS file. Select your USB stick and follow the onscreen instructions to complete your BIOS update.

    How do I update my Xbox One controller firmware without the console? ›

    Update on PC

    Open the Xbox Accessories app. Connect your Xbox Wireless Controller by using a USB cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows. When the controller is connected, you'll see the message Update Required if an update is mandatory. Install the update.

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