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How to Upgrade an Xbox Hard Drive Using a Laptop

For many Xbox 360 owners, the included hard drive offers enough storage for gaming, video and music applications. However, for some gamers, the time comes when a larger hard drive is necessary. Microsoft offers a number of different hard drive options for users looking for more space. For users buying new hard drives only, Microsoft includes a transfer tool that does not require a computer to complete the upgrade process.

However, the need for a larger hard drive, coupled with new features, may drive some Xbox gamers to buy a new console. In that event, any content purchased and stored on the previous console will need to be successfully transferred for use with the larger hard drive. Microsoft offers the license transfer tool, allowing licenses to be transferred from one console and hard drive to another using an internet-ready computer.

Things You'll Need

Xbox 360 console with hard drive and internet access
Xbox Live account
Computer with Internet access

Instructions

Transferring Xbox Content Licenses to a New Console and Hard Drive with a Computer
- 1
  Sign into Xbox.com on your laptop with the account used to download all of the content you wish to transfer to the new console and hard drive.
- 2
  Access the Xbox license transfer tool on Xbox.com.
- 3
  Review the console and account information presented on the first page of the process, and click "Next" when ready. If your old console is powered on and connected to Xbox Live, it will disconnect.
- 4
  Turn on the new console and sign into the account you wish to transfer content onto. Click "Next" on your computer to move to the next step. The new console will now be recognized as the license holder for the content.
- 5
  Follow the onscreen steps as the tool walks you through finishing the process of registering the new console to your Xbox Live account.
- 6
  Download the content license to the new Xbox 360 console. Press the Xbox guide button on the controller and select "Account Management" from the settings menu. Select "Download History" and re-download the content you've purchased in the past to the new console. The digital licenses will be downloaded with the content. The content will now only be accessible on the old Xbox console when connected to Xbox Live. Your new console and larger hard drive are now ready for gaming.

Xbox 360