• Set Up Your System
• Family Settings (Xbox LIVE)
• Connectivity Video
• Join Xbox LIVE

Get System Updates for Your Xbox 360

There are two ways to get operating system updates for your Xbox 360 console:

• Update through Xbox LIVE.
• Burn a DVD or CD.

Update through Xbox LIVE

Getting the update free through Xbox LIVE is the best option because your console will be automatically updated as new system software is released.

To update your Xbox 360 console over Xbox LIVE, you must have an Xbox Live account with either Gold or Silver membership, and a broadband Ethernet connection.

To update through Xbox LIVE:

1. Connect your Xbox 360 console to your broadband connection. If your console is not connected already, see Connect to Xbox LIVE.

   Note

   Your console will be restarted when you join Xbox Live, so be sure to save your game progress.

   
   
2. Create an Xbox LIVE membership or add Xbox LIVE to your offline profile, if you haven't already. Go to the Marketplace area of the Xbox Dashboard and select Join Xbox Live. Follow the steps of creating a profile.
   
   You can also add an Xbox LIVE membership to an existing profile by selecting Join LIVE from the Xbox LIVE area of the Xbox 360 Dashboard.
   
   You may be asked to update the software on your console. Select Yes and wait for the update to finish. Future updates will be installed automatically, as long as you are signed into Xbox LIVE.

Burn a DVD or CD

The other possibility is to download a file from Xbox.com and burn a DVD or CD. Use this method if you don't have your console connected to broadband, or if you use a dialup connection to the Internet. You could even do this at a friend's house who has a broadband Internet connection and a DVD or CD burner.

To create an update disc you need the following:

• A DVD or CD burner.
• A blank writeable DVD or CD.
• The update file from Xbox.com.

This procedure involves burning the DVD or CD by using Microsoft Windows DVD or CD burning software. If you're using third-party CD/DVD writing software, follow the instructions for creating a data disc.

The same steps apply when burning a DVD in a DVD burner.

To create a DVD or CD:

1. Click here to begin downloading the update folder. Save it as "$SystemUpdate_[date].zip" anywhere on your computer.
2. Place a blank disc in your burner.
   
   From Windows Explorer, select Open Writable CD Folder Using Windows Explorer or open the CD drive icon.
3. Drag the zipped $SystemUpdate zip folder to the CD Folder. If the CD write window doesn't open by default, drag and drop folder on the CD/DVD RW drive.

   Note

   If you are using an earlier version of Windows you will need to open the file using a separate utility (for example, WinZip).

   
   
4. In the Explorer window, click Write files to CD from the CD writing tasks or right-click the CD/DVD RW drive and select Write these files to CD.

   Caution

   The update filename and folder structure must be intact for the update to run properly.

   
   
5. Follow the steps in the CD wizard.
   
   When you are finished with the wizard, the CD will eject. Your CD is ready.

To update the console:

1. Place the CD in the Xbox 360 console.
2. Power cycle the Xbox 360 console.
3. The update program will start automatically. Select "Yes, update now" and press the A button.
4. Wait for the update to complete.
5. The console will reboot and you're done.