A system update for Xbox One will add a handful of new features, including support for external hard drives and the option to display Xbox Live friends' real names, to the console this June, Microsoft announced today.

The new update will offer the chance for Xbox One users to attach external storage devices (larger than 256GB) via the USB 3.0 and store games, add-ons and apps to it. For storing games, users can copy full games and associated downloadable content to an external drive, then play that content on another console. Those utilising the external support like this will have to verify ownership of the content by signing in to their Xbox Live account or by having a disc in the system's optical drive.

Real name support will also be featured in the update, applying directly to the Xbox Live friends list. Microsoft said Xbox One owners will be able to share real names "with all your friends, a subset of your choosing, friends of friends or none at all." Real names don't display in games, and "you can change your settings any time from your profile and when adding new friends."

Other changes include SmartGlass tweaking, Xbox Live Gold app changes, an option to automatically sign into Xbox Live with a specific account and continued rollout support for Xbox One TV and OneGuide in Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Microsoft says it will roll out the next Xbox One system update to users participating in its preview program in advance of the full June update.