---
id: external-drives.how-do-i-set-up-my-external-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-do-i-set-up-my-external-drive
category: "External drives"
subcategory: "Setting up your drive"
question: "How do I set up my external drive in Storage Studio?"
alt_questions:
  - "How to add a fast drive to Storage Studio"
  - "Set up external SSD Storage Studio"
  - "How do I choose my drive?"
  - "First time drive setup storage studio"
  - "Where do I pick the external drive?"
  - "How do I connect my SSD to Storage Studio?"
  - "storage studio choose drive"
short_answer: "Plug the drive in and choose it in the setup wizard, or later with More → Drive → Choose Drive…. Check the compatibility verdict, run the speed test, then click Use This Drive. Nothing on the drive is erased."
tags: ["setup", "choose drive", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-does-storage-studio-recognise-my-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/what-do-looks-good-warnings-and-not-suitable-mean", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/external-drives/how-does-the-drive-speed-test-work"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I set up my external drive in Storage Studio?

Plug the drive in, then pick it either in the setup wizard on first launch or later with **Choose Drive…** (in the menu bar app's **More → Drive** section).

1. Select the drive in the list on the left.
2. Read the **compatibility verdict** on the right — *looks good*, *usable with warnings* or *not suitable*.
3. Click **Run benchmark** for a short speed test.
4. Click **Use This Drive** and confirm.

Storage Studio then adds a small folder to the drive and tags it as yours. It doesn't erase anything already there. The change takes effect within about 30 seconds.