Formatting & partitions
Formatting & Partitions
When you upgrade or replace an Original Xbox hard drive, you'll need to set up its partitions and format them so the console can use the space. The Xbox uses its own partition layout rather than standard PC formats.
The standard partitions
| Partition | Contents |
|---|---|
| C | Dashboard and system files |
| E | Saves, cache, user data |
| F | Games and apps |
| G | Extra games and apps on large drives |
On smaller drives you'll typically have F for your content. On larger drives, a second G partition is created to make the additional capacity usable, since the original layout has size limits per partition.
- Prepare the drive, unlocked, connected to your tool of choice.
- Create the partitions using a homebrew HDD utility.
- Format each partition to the Xbox file system.
- Restore system files to C and lock the drive to your console.
F and G are your space
Day to day, you'll copy games, emulators, and apps to F and G over FTP. Keep system partitions (C and E) tidy and reserved for their intended purpose.
Formatting erases everything on a partition. Confirm your backups before formatting, and double-check you're targeting the correct drive.