To install Genshin Impact on an external hard drive, you can set the game's launcher and files directly to that drive during the initial setup, freeing up valuable space on your computer's main drive. This process requires a fast external drive and a few specific steps in the official installer.
Before You Install Genshin Impact on an External Hard Drive: Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have a fast external hard drive, ideally USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt, with at least 150 GB of free space. This ensures the game and future updates fit comfortably. Your computer must run Windows 10 64-bit. If your external drive already contains files, back them up to another location, as the installation process will not erase them, but it is always good practice to safeguard your data. If you later need to free up space for resource-intensive creative apps, you can add external hard drive as scratch disk Photoshop, or if you are reorganizing your entire audio production setup, you can move native instruments to external hard drive.
Step 1: Download the Official Genshin Impact Launcher
Go to the official HoYoverse website to get the PC Client Launcher file. This is the only safe source for the installer. Do not use third-party download sites, as they may provide outdated or modified files.
Step 2: Install the Launcher to Your External Drive
- Run the launcher installer file you downloaded.
- Accept the Software License Agreement by checking the appropriate box.
- Click the "Advanced" button to access the installation directory options.
- Change the installation path to your external hard drive.
- Complete the launcher installation. The launcher itself will now reside on your external drive.
Step 3: Download the Game Files to Your External Drive
- Open the newly installed launcher from your external drive.
- Click "Get Game" to begin the game file download process.
- When the launcher asks where to install the game files, click "Change file path."
- Navigate to and select your external hard drive as the destination. You can create a new folder for the game files here.
- Click "Install" to start downloading the game. This will take some time depending on your internet speed.
Step 4: Launch and Play Genshin Impact
Once the download finishes, the launcher will confirm the installation is complete. You can then launch Genshin Impact directly from the launcher. Always connect your external hard drive before launching the game, as the launcher and game files are stored on it. If you disconnect the drive while playing, the game will crash and you may lose unsaved progress. Keep your external drive connected for the entire gaming session to ensure smooth performance.
