

Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand. You can’t open online-only files when your device isn’t connected to the Internet. If there's a line under the sharing icon, it means that the file is on the device.Ī Blue cloud or a cloud with an arrow icon next to your OneDrive files or folders indicates that the file is only available online. Online-only files don’t take up space on your computer. If you see a "people" icon next to your OneDrive files or folders, this indicates the file or folder has been shared with other people. If you see a shortcut arrow over files that are not shortcuts, the solution is to Restart Windows File Explorer. On the Processes tab, under Apps, right-click on Windows Explorer. Select More details to show all the apps. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL and select Task Manager. To resolve the issue, restart Windows Explorer: The blue one is for your work or school account, the white one is for your personal account.Ī chain or link icon over a folder means it's a shortcut to another folder that has been shared.Ī brown box over your Windows Desktop icons can be caused by an issue with Windows Explorer. If you have signed in to the OneDrive sync app with both work or school and a personal account, you will see two OneDrive sync icons. Learn more about restrictions and limitations when you sync files and folders. OneDrive will show a padlock icon next to the sync status if the file or folder has settings which prevent it from syncing. Restart your computer after each uninstallation. Uninstall any backup applications that are not longer used. Right-click on your Desktop and select Refresh. This is not a OneDrive icon, but a corrupted Windows shortcut icon. If you see a gray X over your Windows Desktop shortcuts, try these tips: These always available files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always there for you even when you’re offline. Solid green circle with the white check markįiles that you mark as "Always keep on this device" have the green circle with the white check mark. Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand Just right-click the file and select “Free up space.” If you need more space, you can change the file back to online only. You can open a locally available file anytime, even without Internet access. When you open an online-only file, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. Learn more about how to change sharing at Share OneDrive files and folders.Ī blue cloud icon next to your OneDrive files or folders indicates that the file is only available online. Online-only files don’t take up space on your computer.

If you also sign in to OneDrive with a personal account, the same restrictions will apply. It's most common to block Outlook data files. It means your admin has blocked the sync of certain file types. You may see this icon if you sign in to OneDrive with a work or school account. Select the icon to see the warning message displayed in the activity center. If you see a yellow warning triangle over your OneDrive or OneDrive for work or school icon, it means your account needs attention. Learn more about what to do when your OneDrive account is frozen. If you see a red "no entry" style icon over your OneDrive icon, it means your account is blocked. If you're seeing the sync pending icon in File Explorer, read OneDrive is stuck on "Sync pending". To help resolve these problems, read OneDrive is stuck on “Processing changes". If OneDrive shows “Processing changes" for a long time, it could be because you have an online file open, a very large file syncing, a lot of files stuck in a queue. OneDrive will also check for other file or folder changes and may show "Processing changes". The circular arrows over the OneDrive or OneDrive for work or school notification icons signify that sync is in progress. This includes when you are uploading files, or OneDrive is syncing new files from the cloud to your PC. Learn more about How to Pause and Resume sync in OneDrive. To resume syncing, select the relevant OneDrive icon in the notification or menu bar area, select More and then Resume syncing. The paused symbol over the OneDrive or OneDrive for work or school icon means your files are not currently syncing. Note: If you see the error message "You're already syncing a personal OneDrive on this computer", follow the steps to unlink and relink your account.
