Description: This mod enables the internal hard drive to be accessible outside the internal case much like the Xbox 360 hard drive. No cutting or soldering required!

Purpose: This mod makes the hard drive easily replaceable and removable for research (connect to PC), upgrades, and even supports 3.5" HDDs as well (5TB internal storage upgrade) at full SATA III speeds.

Pros:
*Supports any physical size drive, SSD, 2.5" HDD, 3.5 HDD"
*Easily removable, replaceable, and provides direct access to XVD research

Cons:
*Bulkier chassis
*No sync button access (Must sync new controllers by plugging them in once)
*Takes up one USB mandatory, two optionally without external power brick for 2.5" drives

Requirements:
Torx bits
Right angle 18" SATA Cable
SATA to USB Adapter
SATA power Extension Cable
Xbox One X Enclosure

3.5" HDD Only:
External AC Power Adapter


Helpful Prerequisite Knowledge:
Xbox One X teardown instructions
Xbox One drive upgrade instructions

Tutorial:

1.
Remove all screws from the Xbox One X Drive Enclosure

2.
Remove the Internal board from the Xbox One X HDD Enclosure

3.
Unscrew and Remove the Front USB port from the Xbox One X Casing

4.
Remove the aluminum casing from the Xbox One X
(do NOT use when reassembling)

5.
Remove the Internal HDD and SATA adapter.
Plug in your L shaped SATA and run the other end out the front USB port

6.
Reassemble the Xbox One X without using the aluminum cover in step 4
Cross the SATA cable to the left of the power button --rest it on the Xbox

7.
2.5" HDD: Cut the plastic tab on the L side of the SATA power extension cable
3.5" HDD: Skip this step

8.
2.5" HDD: Connect the SATA power cable to the SATA to USB connector
3.5" HDD: Skip this step

9.
2.5" HDD: Route the SATA to USB connector through the enclosure cable guide
3.5" HDD: Route the SATA power to AC brick through the enclosure cable guide

10.
Route the front SATA cable through the bottom of the enclosure
Slide it back so the back and side of the enclosure lines up with the Xbox

11.
Perform cable management inside the enclosure.
You should have plenty of space to neatly tuck in the cables

12.
2.5" HDD: Plug in the SATA to USB to the closest USB port on the Xbox
Alternatively, you can use a USB extension cable to a USB AC adapter should you wish to free up a USB port.

3.5" HDD: Plug in the SATA Power to AC adapter to an outlet

13. Attach the enclosure back plate and screw it in to secure it to the Xbox

14. Shut the enclosure and hook the Xbox up

15.
Power on the Xbox One and if everything was done correctly, you should now be operating with an external enclosure.

 

[u12345678]

Good mod man! Thanks for sharing
Could it be done to an Xbox One S?

 

[tbb043]

step 4: i'd be wary about just leaving out a big metal plate like that. doesn't it serve ANY purpose (heat dissipation, rf shielding)? Even if it runs okay, couldn't it cause interference on other devices (and then be an FCC violation if nothing else)?

 

[Shadow LAG]

Good mod man! Thanks for sharing
Could it be done to an Xbox One S?

Yes it can! Now as far as looks go, It will just need a bit of cutting since the front USB port is not modular, and a drive housing that will fit the S if you can find one. So far I only know about one for the Original model, and the X.

step 4: i'd be wary about just leaving out a big metal plate like that. doesn't it serve ANY purpose (heat dissipation, rf shielding)? Even if it runs okay, couldn't it cause interference on other devices (and then be an FCC violation if nothing else)?

It basically is a housing made for the screws to hold together on the other end. Really serves no other purpose than to keep the components inside from jiggling and shifting during shipping. Think of it as a brace for the components since they sit "upside down". The fan and disc drive are pretty stable, and unless you are tossing the xbox around I don't see them shifting out of position.

If you are worried about step 4, please feel free to cut a hole in the metal shielding to route it through to the USB port