Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Yes. On PC, choose the external drive as the game’s install location in the official installer. HoYoverse currently lists 110 GB or more of available storage for the PC version and recommends an SSD for a smoother experience. Keep the drive connected when you launch or update the game.
Before you install: check space and choose a drive
HoYoverse’s PC system requirements, updated November 11, 2025, call for at least 110 GB of available storage. The page warns that storage needs may increase with future updates, so leave additional free space rather than treating 110 GB as a permanent total. HoYoverse recommends a solid-state drive (SSD) for a smoother experience; it does not publish external-drive speed requirements or performance guarantees for particular connections or enclosures. HoYoverse PC system requirements.
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An external HDD can provide the chosen install location, but HoYoverse’s stated preference is an SSD. The official guidance does not specify a required USB generation, filesystem, or compatibility guarantee for every removable drive.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteInstall Genshin Impact to the external drive
- Connect the drive. Make sure it is available to your computer and has enough free space for the current requirement and future updates.
- Open the official PC installer. Download the launcher from the Genshin Impact download page.
- Choose the game folder on the external drive. In the install flow, select Change file path, choose or create the destination folder on the external volume, then select Install.
- Let the launcher finish. Start the game from the launcher after installation completes. The location guide explains the custom-directory selection, but its file-size estimate is from 2020 and is not current storage guidance. HoYoverse’s PC installation guide.
Make HoYoPlay find an existing installation
If you moved the game or the launcher does not recognize it, use the Genshin game page in HoYoPlay and choose Find Game. Select the main installation folder—the folder containing the game executable. Once HoYoPlay recognizes the files, its button changes to Launch or Update. See HoYoverse’s instructions for locating an existing Genshin installation.
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- Keep more of the latest and largest titles installed and ready to launch with capacities of up to 2TB. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Built with WD_BLACK toughness thanks to a shock-resistant structure, this durable drive can survive a drop of up to two-meters.
Keep the external volume connected and accessible whenever you launch or update the game. If its location changes and HoYoPlay loses track of the files, use Find Game to associate the installation again; this is practical guidance based on HoYoverse’s file-location instructions.
Troubleshoot install and detection problems
HoYoPlay says the game is not installed
Use Find Game and select the main game folder, not a parent folder that does not contain the executable. If you have changed the drive or folder location, point HoYoPlay to the current location.
Rank #2
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- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
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Extraction error 8002 or 2002
HoYoverse lists trying a different disk location or drive as one possible step for these extraction errors. Its other suggested checks include damaged files, antivirus interference, and network stability. See HoYoverse’s launcher troubleshooting guidance.
A separate HoYoverse article for Honkai: Star Rail describes using HoYoPlay’s menu and Installation Location to choose a folder manually. Because that page is for another game, use Genshin’s Find Game instructions first. HoYoverse launcher location help.
Rank #3
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Use current storage guidance, not the old size estimate
HoYoverse’s September 2020 PC guide mentioned game files of “about 26 GB or more.” That figure is historical and should not be used to size a drive today. The current requirements page lists 110 GB or more of available PC storage and says the need may rise with future updates. HoYoverse does not give a specific update buffer or an external-drive benchmark.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Rank #4
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- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether you’re using a desktop, camera or a gaming console3, count on the T9 Portable SSD for extensive compatibility; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
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