How to Put Game Content on an Xbox 360 Using a USB Flash Drive

In the past, Xbox 360 owners had two options for storing game content: a hard drive or Xbox memory unit. In spring 2010, Microsoft released a software update allowing console owners to save data on most USB flash drives. This requires a nearly automated configuration process for the portable USB drive. And, once configured, users can put game content on any Xbox 360 into which they plug the flash drive.

Configure the USB flash drive

Turn on the Xbox 360 and log into your Xbox Live profile. Download the latest system update if prompted. If not prompted, you already have the latest system update.

Plug your desired USB flash drive into a USB port on your Xbox 360, such as a controller port. The flash drive must support the FAT32 file system and have at least 1 GB storage, according to Microsoft. Refer to your flash drive's specifications manual to ensure it meets these minimum requirements.

Access "System Settings" on your Xbox 360, located in the dashboard's "My Xbox" section.

Choose "Memory" from the menu. Notice a new screen appears prompting you to select your desired device.

Select the "USB Storage Device" from the resulting devices list. This directs you to the configuration wizard.

Choose "Configure now" if you want all data erased from your USB flash drive and allot all available memory on the drive for Xbox 360 use. Choose "Customize" if you want to manually select how much storage space of the drive you want to allot for Xbox 360 use. Select the amount of drive space you would like to configure, then press "A."

Choose "Yes," if you chose to "Configure now," to delete all data from the USB flash drive and begin the automatic configuration process. Choose "Configure" if you chose to "Customize" the drive to begin the configuration process.

Save and Transfer Game Content

Save game content as you normally would, but instead of choosing your hard drive or memory unit, select your USB storage device from the "select storage device" list.

Turn off your Xbox 360 console, then disconnect your flash drive.

Update the Xbox 360 to which you want to transfer game content by logging into Xbox Live and automatically updating the console when prompted. If you aren't prompted, then the Xbox 360 is already updated.

Plug the USB flash drive into the Xbox 360 to which you want to transfer game content.

Access "System Settings" on your Xbox 360, located in the dashboard's "My Xbox" section.

Choose "Memory" from the menu. Notice a new screen appears prompting you to select your desired device.

Select the "USB Storage Device" from the following screen. You will be directed to a content selection screen.

Press "Y" to open the content transfer wizard.

Select the device you want to transfer data to, such as your hard drive or memory unit. A list of stored content on your USB flash drive will appear.

Choose the content you wish to transfer from the resulting list of data stored on your USB flash drive.

Highlight "Start" then press "A" to begin putting game content data on the Xbox 360 through the flash drive.