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How to Transfer an Xbox 360 Hard Drive to a PC

The hard disk drive (HDD) that an Xbox 360 uses is physically similar to those used in PCs. You can transfer the data from an Xbox 360 HDD to a PC without voiding the warranty on the game console or the PC. You will need a few common household tools, but no special skills or electrical expertise. The contents of the Xbox 360’s HDD can be copied to the PC (using a free downloadable Xbox reading program) prior to the HDD being reformatted for use as a PC hard disk drive.

Things You'll Need

Soft cloth
Phillips screwdriver
Torx screwdriver
Torx screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug all cables from the Xbox 360. Stand the Xbox 360 vertically on a table with the hard drive compartment facing up. Press in on the release latch at one corner of the hard drive compartment with the fingers of one hand. Slide the hard drive compartment off the Xbox 360 using your other hand.
- 2
  Place the hard drive compartment on the table with the sticker side facing up. Scratch off the sticker with the tip of the Phillips screwdriver.
- 3
  Remove the four screws from the corners of the hard drive compartment with theTorx screwdriver. Remove the screw from beneath the sticker with theTorx screwdriver. Lift the cover plate off the hard drive compartment with your fingers. Place the cover plate aside.
- 4
  Remove the screws now exposed with the Torx screwdriver. Lift the slotted cover plate off the hard drive compartment. Place the slotted cover plate aside.
- 5
  Remove the two cables plugged into one end of the hard drive seated inside of the hard drive compartment. Slide the hard drive out of the hard drive compartment until it stops due to hitting a plastic tab. Push down on the plastic tab with the tip of the Phillips screwdriver while pulling the hard drive the rest of the way out of the hard drive compartment.
- 6
  Unplug the power cord from the PC. Remove the side panel or the back panel of the PC with the Phillips screwdriver.
- 7
  Remove the screw from one side of the hard drive tray situated within an empty drive bay with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver. Pull the hard drive tray out of the empty drive bay with your fingers.
- 8
  Place the hard drive tray on the soft cloth. Remove the screw from each side of the hard drive tray with the Phillips jeweler’s screwdriver. Slide the Xbox 360’s hard disk drive into the hard drive tray. Reattach the two screws to the hard drive tray.
- 9
  Pull the two cables out of the empty hard drive bay. Attach the two cables to the appropriate connections on the back of the Xbox 360’s hard disk drive. Slide the hard drive tray back into the hard drive bay. Reattach the screw. Reattach the side panel or the back panel to the PC. Plug the power cord back into the PC.

Xbox 360