Xbox One Saved Data – How to retain saved data after uninstall

First you need to enable cloud saves:

1. From the Xbox Dashboard, go to Settings, and then select System.
2. Select Storage, and then select Cloud Saved Games.
3. Select Enable Cloud Saved Games.

Once you do this, you will be prompted on startup for most games which save device to use, in the same way you would be prompted if you had external storage plugged into your box.

Then you need to move save games (if they already exist)

1. Sign into your Xbox LIVE profile.
2. Go to Settings, and then select System.
3. Select Storage.
4. Select the storage device that contains the saved game that you want to move to the cloud.
5. Select Games.
6. Select the game with your saved game.
7. Select your saved game.
8. Select Move.
9. Select Cloud Saved Games.

Keep in mind that space is limited to 512 MB (but in my experience that has never been an issue). I use this capability a lot to go between consoles - it is convenient.

While writing out a more detailed description of the behavior, I stumbled upon the solution myself.

When you try to install the game over the internet, just let it start, and then cancel it. This will both remove the installation and download from the queue, but apparently also remove the knowledge of the installation from the Xbox One.

So:

1. Start the online install
2. Cancel it
3. Return to the home screen
4. Notice that the disc tile has now changed to "Install disc"
5. Activate the disc tile to start the installation from the disc.

This worked, the game now installs from the disc. Obviously any downloaded DLC's will still need to be downloaded, but for the purpose of this question this is not relevant.

Now, what do you do when you get back home and want to plug in the external drive?

Here's what I did. I first uninstalled the game using the storage management.

This makes my Xbox One forget that I had the game installed. Make sure you don't delete any savegames you have on the console.

Then, you turn off the Xbox One, plug in the external drive, and turn it back on.

Once you do that, the disc tile still says "Install disc". Ignore that. Instead either use your pinned link to the game, the tile for the game (if it shows up on the home screen), or navigate to your games and apps list and activate it. You should get a message saying not to unplug the external drive, and that your game will be ready soon.

A few seconds later you can try again and the game should now start.