Do Things Install Faster if Xbox One is Powered Off?
The short answer is: yes, generally speaking, things install faster on an Xbox One if it's powered completely off rather than in standby mode. However, there are nuances to this, and it's not always a dramatic difference. Let's delve into the reasons why.
Why Powering Down Improves Installation Speed?
When your Xbox One is in standby mode (the "instant-on" setting), it's still using a small amount of power to keep certain functions active, such as receiving updates and allowing for quick restarts. These background processes consume resources that could otherwise be dedicated to game installations. By fully powering down the console, you free up these resources, allowing the installation process to utilize the full processing power of the console. This translates into faster installation times, especially for larger games or updates.
How Much Faster is it?
The speed difference isn't always night and day. Smaller updates and smaller games might not show a noticeable improvement. However, with larger game installations (think 50GB+ titles), the difference can become more significant. You might see a reduction in installation time ranging from a few minutes to potentially an hour or more, depending on the size of the installation and your console's hardware.
What About External Hard Drives?
Using an external hard drive can slightly alter the installation speed equation. While powering down still offers benefits by freeing up system resources, the speed boost might be less noticeable if the installation is taking place on a slower external drive. The internal hard drive remains the optimal location for the fastest installation speeds, even with the console powered down.
Does This Apply to Xbox Series X|S?
The same principle largely applies to the Xbox Series X|S consoles. While the newer consoles are more powerful and generally handle background processes more efficiently, fully powering down the console will still likely lead to faster installation speeds, especially for large game files or updates.
How to Fully Power Down Your Xbox One?
To fully power down your Xbox One, don't just use the controller to put it into standby. Instead, hold down the Xbox button on the console itself until it completely shuts down. You'll then need to press the Xbox button again to turn it back on.
What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Always Powering Down?
While powering down offers performance benefits, doing so constantly might slightly increase wear and tear on the console's components in the long run. However, this is generally minimal and far outweighed by the benefits for most users.
In conclusion, while the difference in installation time might not always be dramatic, fully powering down your Xbox One before installing games or updates is generally recommended, especially for large files, to maximize the speed of the process and make the most efficient use of your console's resources.
