The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →For a large Kojima game, start by deleting finished games and optional data you no longer need, then archive infrequently played titles on USB extended storage. USB is an archive for PS5 games: you must copy a PS5 title back to console storage or an M.2 SSD before playing it. If you want to launch PS5 games directly from added capacity, install a compatible PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe M.2 SSD. PlayStation Plus cloud storage protects saved data, but it does not store the game installation.
Start with the largest, safest cleanup
Open Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps. This view shows which games and applications are consuming the most internal space. Select titles you have finished or no longer play, then choose Delete. Deleting a purchase removes its installed files, not your entitlement: Sony says purchased games remain available to redownload from your game library.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For a Kojima title you may return to later, deletion is often the simplest way to reclaim space when your internet connection can handle a future download. Before deleting, confirm that your progress is synchronized or backed up through your chosen save-data method. Game installation files and saved data are separate categories, so removing a game does not automatically mean removing its saves.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Sort your decisions by the amount of space recovered, not by the number of icons removed. A completed large game usually frees more room than several small applications. Leave titles you are actively updating until you have checked their current patch needs, and avoid starting a large download with only a few gigabytes free because the console may need additional working room during an update.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
Use Customize before deleting an entire title
Some PS5 games display Customize next to their name in the storage list. Select it to inspect the portions of that game’s data that the title allows you to manage. Depending on the developer’s implementation, this can include optional modes, add-ons, or other completed portions. Remove only data the menu identifies as separable.
Selective installation is not universal. Developers decide whether a game exposes removable campaign, multiplayer, language, or bonus content, and how much control the menu provides. Do not assume that every Kojima game has a removable campaign or language pack. Treat the options shown on your console as authoritative for that specific release and patch.
If Customize is absent, the game is not exposing a selective-removal menu in that build. Do not browse the drive with a computer or delete individual folders in an attempt to create your own partial installation; that can make the title unusable and is not a supported storage method.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsArchive a PS5 game on USB extended storage
A compatible commercial USB drive is useful when you want to keep a large game without keeping its installation on the console. Sony’s storage guidance specifies compatible USB extended storage from 250GB minimum to 8TB maximum. The drive must meet the console’s SuperSpeed USB requirements; a random USB flash drive is not automatically suitable.
A suitable product listing may be described as a USB extended storage drive for PS5. Confirm that it is intended for PS5 USB extended storage and that its capacity falls within Sony’s range. Capacity printed on the box is not the same as free game space after formatting and system overhead, so a drive close to the minimum may hold fewer large titles than expected.
Prepare the drive
- Connect the compatible USB drive to the PS5 and follow the console’s instructions to format it as USB extended storage. Formatting erases data already on that drive, so copy anything important elsewhere first.
- After formatting, use the drive as the location for titles you want to archive. Keep the cable and drive connected securely while moving data.
Formatting is tied to the console’s extended-storage use. Treat the drive as a dedicated game archive unless you have confirmed how any other files will be handled. Do not disconnect it while a move or copy is in progress; an interrupted transfer can require the operation to be repeated.
Move a game from console storage
- Open Game Library and highlight the Kojima game you want to archive.
- Press the Options button on the controller.
- Select Move Games and Apps.
- Choose the USB extended-storage destination and confirm the move.
The move preserves the installed files on the external drive instead of requiring a fresh download later. It does not make a PS5 game playable from USB, however. Sony states that PS5 games stored on USB extended storage must be copied back to console storage or M.2 SSD storage before they can be played.
Copy the game back when you want to play
When you are ready to resume the archived title, use the same Game Library > Options > Move Games and Apps workflow and select the console or M.2 destination. The copy-back time depends on the drive and the amount of data; the important distinction is that this is a local transfer rather than a complete redownload. Plan the transfer before a play session if the game is especially large.
Rank #2
- 【Designed for desktop PC/PS5】- Perfectly fit for Samsung 860 EVO, 960 EVO, 970 EVO, 970 Pro, 980 Pro, PS5 etc. this M.2 SSD heatsink compatible with all single sided Type.
- 【Main body material】- Aluminum alloy, silver plating (helps eliminate static electricity), anodic oxidation surface treatment. Dimensions: 3 x 0.95 x 0.4inm.2 heatsink well fit for PS5 installation as well as PC M.2 Slot.
- 【Thermal Pads】- with good thermal conductivity ability. Low viscosity, with no damage to the M.2 SSD.
- 【High Performance】- With 10°C - 20°C cooling effect (varies depending on the environments), cool your M.2 2280 SSD to a safe temp to avoid overheating and throttling, improve your computer's performance.
- 【Easy to Install 】 - With double-sided clip design, are suitable for M.2 NVME SSD of various heights, stable installation, better protection of your M.2 SSD with good heat dissipation performance.
After copying, check that the destination has enough free room for the title and any pending update. Keeping the USB archive connected does not let the PS5 launch the PS5 version in place; the playable copy must be on console or M.2 storage. You can move the title back to USB again when you finish to reclaim that playable space.
What USB storage can and cannot do
- PS5 games: can be stored on USB extended storage, but must be copied to console or M.2 storage to launch.
- PS4 games: can be played directly from compatible USB extended storage.
- Saved data: is managed separately from game installations.
- Screenshots and video clips: can be copied to a compatible USB drive for personal backup or space management.
This makes USB particularly useful for a backlog or a game you revisit only occasionally. It avoids downloading the entire title again, but it does add a transfer step whenever you switch games. If you rotate several PS5 titles every day, that repeated copying may be less convenient than an M.2 expansion.
Add an M.2 SSD for direct PS5 play
An internal expansion M.2 SSD is the appropriate choice when you want additional capacity from which PS5 games can be downloaded, copied, launched, and updated. Sony explicitly states that PS5 games are playable on M.2 SSD storage. This avoids the USB archive’s required copy-back step.
A product described as a PS5-compatible M.2 NVMe SSD with heatsink is only a starting point. Read the complete specification sheet and confirm every limit below, including the dimensions of the cooling hardware. A drive that is fast enough but physically too thick is not compatible.
Check compatibility before buying
Use the drive’s complete specification sheet, not only its advertised capacity or speed. Sony’s requirements are:
| Requirement | Sony’s published specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe, Key M |
| Capacity | 250GB to 8TB |
| Supported form factors | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110 |
| Maximum width | 25mm |
| Maximum length | 30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, or 110mm, matching the supported form factor |
| Maximum total thickness | 11.25mm, including the SSD and any cooling structure |
| Recommended sequential read speed | At least 5,500MB/s |
| Cooling | Effective heat dissipation, such as a correctly sized heatsink or heat-transfer sheet |
| Not supported | M.2 SATA SSDs |
The dimensions include the heatsink. A drive that fits on paper can still be unsuitable if its cooling hardware exceeds the console’s clearance. Sony also cautions that a drive meeting the headline read-speed recommendation may not deliver exactly the same performance as the PS5’s internal SSD.
Check the capacity range as well as the interface: Sony lists 250GB through 8TB, not every M.2 capacity sold for computers. Verify that the listing identifies an NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 Key M device; “M.2” alone describes a physical format and does not guarantee the required interface. Likewise, a heatsink is not optional in practice because effective heat dissipation is required, but it must remain within the 25mm width and 11.25mm total-thickness limits.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Set the installation destination
- Open Settings > Storage > Installation Location.
- Choose the M.2 SSD as the default destination for eligible new downloads and installations.
Setting the destination prevents every new installation from consuming the internal drive by default. You can change the destination later when your storage priorities change. Check the selected destination before starting a large Kojima download, especially after a system reset or when switching between USB and M.2 storage.
Rank #3
- DESIGNED FOR THE PS5 CONSOLE: Engineered to fit perfectly and easily into the PS5 console's SSD expansion slot for a quick and easy install.
- REVOLUTIONARY COOLING: Made from High-Quality CNC'd aluminum, the Sabrent Heatsink for the PS5 console was specifically designed to maximize cooling performance and simplify installation.
- UPGRADE YOUR CONSOLE! Rather than creating a heatsink that would only trap the heat in the metal cover, we designed a heatsink that replaces the native PS5 consoles cover. This allows for better cooling using the native fan as well as being a larger heatsink.
- INDUSTRIAL QUALITY: This SSD heatsink method also uses Sabrent's "Sandwich Design" which ensures even pressure throughout the SSD for efficient and consistent heat transfer unlike methods used by other brands.
- CONVENIENCE: Comes with an installation guide as well as screws and thermal tape for easy convenient installation.
Move an existing game to the M.2 SSD
- Open Game Library and highlight the installed title.
- Press Options.
- Select Move Games and Apps.
- Open the Movable to M.2 SSD Storage tab.
- Select the game and confirm the move.
After the transfer, the game remains playable from the M.2 SSD. Updates can also be installed there, subject to the drive’s compatibility and available capacity. If a title does not appear in the movable list, use the destination shown by the console rather than trying to move files manually.
USB extended storage versus M.2 SSD
| Need | USB extended storage | M.2 SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Store PS5 game data | Yes | Yes |
| Play PS5 games directly | No; copy back first | Yes |
| Play PS4 games directly | Yes | Yes |
| Best use | Lower-cost archive and rotation | Permanent, playable expansion |
| Main compatibility check | SuperSpeed USB; 250GB–8TB | PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe; capacity, dimensions, speed, and heatsink |
Choose USB when your priority is retaining games you play occasionally and avoiding a full redownload. Choose M.2 when you want a Kojima game to behave like an internally installed title, with no archive transfer before launching. A mixed setup can be practical: keep frequently played titles on the console or M.2 drive and move the rest to USB.
The choice is also about workflow rather than simply total capacity. USB storage trades a lower-cost archive approach for copy-back time. M.2 storage costs more than an archive drive in many shopping choices, but it keeps PS5 games ready to launch. Whichever route you choose, compare the complete compatibility requirements instead of selecting solely by advertised terabytes.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Protect saves without confusing them with installations
PlayStation Plus cloud storage is for saved data. It does not provide a place to keep the installed game files themselves. Sony’s storage categories separate PS5 game data from PS5 saved data: game data can use console, USB extended, or M.2 storage, while saved data can use PlayStation Plus cloud storage.
Before deleting or moving a title, confirm that the save you need is present on the console and, if you use the service, synchronized to cloud storage. A cloud save can protect your progress while the game installation is deleted, but you still need to redownload or copy the game before playing.
Screenshots and video clips are another separate category. Copy captures to a compatible USB drive when they are using substantial console space, then remove the local copies only after verifying that the transfer completed. Captures are not a substitute for a save backup, and a save backup is not an installation archive.
Plan for a large Kojima installation
There is no authoritative, current installation-size figure established here for the relevant Kojima games. Install size can vary by title, platform version, region, language assets, and subsequent patches. Check the exact PlayStation Store listing and the game’s current download or update information on your console before deciding how much free space to leave.
Check the listing and patch requirements
- Identify the exact edition you own, including any bundled content.
- Look at the current download size shown by the console or store listing rather than relying on an old article or forum estimate.
- Allow room for updates and any optional content the title offers through Customize.
- Do not treat a drive’s advertised capacity as fully available game space; formatting and system use reduce usable capacity.
Because patch requirements change, a console that barely fits the initial download may not have enough room for a later update. If space is tight, archive another game first or move captures before beginning the installation. Keeping a modest buffer also makes it easier to install future patches without repeating the cleanup process.
Rank #4
- ❤M.2 heat sink 2-pack— Specially designed for desktop computers, this M.2 SSD heatsink compatible with M.2 2280 SSD, perfectly fit for Samsung 850 EVO, 860 EVO, 960 EVO, 970 EVO, 950 PRO, 960 PRO, 970 PRO, etc.
- ❤Double-sided cooling—Aluminum alloy-Groove design, greatly increase the heat dissipation area, with 10°C - 30°C cooling effect .
- ❤Nano Thermal Pad—made from Nano Silicon Grease Material, with good thermal conductivity ability. Soft enough and good ductility, compatible with uneven surfaces of the M.2 SSD. Low viscosity, with no damage to the SSD warranty label.
- ❤CNC Fine Workmanship—Main body material: Aluminum alloy, silver plating , anodic oxidation surface treatment. Dimensions: 3 x 0.95 x 0.4in., net weight: 1oz.,
- ❤Easy to Install —fixed screws on two side, for kinds of M.2 SSD.,
A practical cleanup sequence
Use this order when a Kojima game will not install because the PS5 is short on space:
- Open Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps and identify the largest items.
- Delete finished games that you can redownload later.
- Open Customize for titles that offer it and remove only optional or completed portions you no longer need.
- Copy screenshots and clips to compatible USB storage if captures are consuming space.
- Move infrequently played PS5 games to USB extended storage if you have a compatible 250GB–8TB drive.
- If you need several PS5 games available without copy-back transfers, install a compatible M.2 SSD and move titles through the Movable to M.2 SSD Storage tab.
- Recheck the exact Kojima game’s listing and patch requirements, then begin the installation with room for updates.
Reopen the storage screen after each major move or deletion so you can verify that space was actually reclaimed. If the available amount does not change as expected, look at captures, other applications, and the destination of the moved title rather than deleting random small files.
Troubleshoot the common storage decisions
The game is on USB but will not start
This is expected for a PS5 title on USB extended storage. Use Game Library > Options > Move Games and Apps to copy it to console storage or an M.2 SSD. PS4 titles are the exception and can run directly from compatible USB extended storage.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe M.2 SSD is not an appropriate expansion
Recheck the interface, form factor, dimensions including heatsink, total thickness, capacity range, and cooling. M.2 SATA drives are unsupported. A listed sequential speed below Sony’s 5,500MB/s recommendation, or a heatsink that exceeds the console’s clearance, is a reason to choose a different drive.
There is not enough room after deleting a game
Look again at Games and Apps, captures, and optional content. The deleted purchase can be redownloaded later, but the new installation still needs enough room for its current files and patches. If the console remains short, archive another title to USB or use an M.2 SSD rather than repeatedly deleting small items.
You cannot find a removable campaign or language pack
The absence of a Customize option, or a limited list inside it, means that the developer has not exposed more granular controls for that build. Do not manually delete individual folders; use only the options the PS5 presents for the game.
The drive appears larger or smaller than expected
Advertised capacity and usable capacity differ because formatting and system use consume part of the drive. Judge the result by the free-space figure shown in PS5 Storage, not by the number printed on the packaging. A drive within Sony’s 250GB–8TB range can still hold a different number of games depending on each title’s current files and patches.
Which expansion fits your routine?
- Occasional player: delete completed titles and keep a USB archive for games you may revisit.
- Regularly rotating player: use USB for the backlog and keep current PS5 games on console or M.2 storage.
- Several large PS5 games always installed: choose a compatible M.2 SSD, verify every dimension and cooling requirement, and set it as the installation location.
- Mostly PS4 games: USB extended storage can be more convenient because PS4 games can launch directly from it.
- Concerned about progress: use PlayStation Plus cloud storage for saved data, while treating game files and captures as separate storage-management tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play a PS5 game directly from a USB extended-storage drive?
No. Sony allows PS5 games to be stored on compatible USB extended storage, but they must be copied back to console storage or an M.2 SSD before launch. PS4 games can run directly from compatible USB extended storage.
Best Value
- [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Designed with a heatsink to keep your rig cool for better performance and power efficiency
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
What is the best way to keep a Kojima game without redownloading it?
Move the installed PS5 title to a compatible USB extended-storage drive. When you want to play, copy it back to console or M.2 storage. This preserves the download but adds transfer time before play.
Do I need an M.2 SSD to play PS5 games from expanded storage?
You need an M.2 SSD if you want PS5 games to remain playable directly from added storage. Sony says a compatible M.2 SSD can download, copy, launch, and update PS5 games.
What M.2 SSD specifications does the PS5 require?
Sony lists a PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe Key M interface, 250GB–8TB capacity, supported 2230/2242/2260/2280/22110 form factors, maximum 25mm width and 11.25mm total thickness including cooling, at least 5,500MB/s recommended sequential read speed, and effective heat dissipation. M.2 SATA drives are unsupported.
Recommended Free Tools
Will PlayStation Plus cloud storage hold my installed game?
No. PlayStation Plus cloud storage protects saved data. The game installation still belongs on console storage, USB extended storage, or an M.2 SSD, depending on whether you need to play it directly.
Can I delete a finished campaign or language pack from every Kojima game?
No. Selective removal depends on the developer and the specific game build. Use the Customize option only when the PS5 shows it, and remove only the portions explicitly identified there.
How much free space should I leave for a large Kojima game?
Check the exact PlayStation Store listing and the current download or update information on your console. Installation sizes and patch requirements vary by title, edition, region, language assets, and later updates, so do not rely on an old estimate.
The Bottom Line
Delete finished games first, use Customize where available, and archive infrequently played PS5 titles on a compatible 250GB–8TB USB drive when copy-back time is acceptable. For direct play from expanded storage, choose a Sony-compatible PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe M.2 SSD with the required capacity, dimensions, speed, and cooling. Keep PlayStation Plus cloud saves separate from installation storage, and verify the current game listing and patch space before downloading.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
