What do the OneDrive icons mean? (2024)

A red circle with a white cross means that a file or folder cannot be synced. You'll see this in File Explorer or on the OneDrive notification area icons.

Click the blue or white OneDrive icon in the notification area to learn more about the problem.

For more help, read how toFix OneDrive sync problems.

A grayed-out OneDrive iconwith a line through itmeans you're not signed in, or OneDrive setup hasn't completed.

Press , search forOneDriveand then open the OneDrivedesktop app.

Note:If you seetheerror message "You're already syncing a personal OneDrive on this computer", follow the steps tounlink and relink your account.

The paused symbol over the OneDrive or OneDrive for work or school icon means your files are not currently syncing.

To resume syncing, select the relevantOneDrive icon in the notification or menu bar area, select More and thenResume syncing.

Learn more aboutHow to Pause and Resume sync in OneDrive.

The circular arrows over the OneDrive or OneDrive for work or schoolnotification 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.

Sync icons may also be seen online on OneDrive.com.

OneDrive will also check for other file or folder changesand may show "Processing changes". IfOneDrive 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. To help resolve these problems, readOneDrive is stuck on “Processing changes".

If you're seeing the sync pending icon in File Explorer, readOneDrive is stuck on "Sync pending".

If you see a red "no entry" style icon over your OneDriveicon, it means your account is blocked.

Learnmore about what to dowhen your OneDrive account is frozen.

If you see a yellow warning triangle over your OneDriveorOneDrive for work or school icon, it means your account needs attention. Select the icon to see the warning message displayed in the activity center.

You may see this icon if you sign in toOneDrive with a work or school account. It means your admin has blocked the sync of certain file types. It's most common to block Outlook data files.

If you also sign in to OneDrive with a personal account, the same restrictions will apply.

Learn how toremove an Outlook .pst data file from OneDrive.

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.

Learnmore about how to change sharing atShare OneDrive files and folders.

A 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.

You can’t open online-only files when your device isn’t connected to the Internet.Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand

When you open an online-only file, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. You can open a locally available file anytime, even without Internet access.

If you need more space, you can change the file back to online only. Just right-click the file and select “Free up space.”

Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand

Files that you mark as "Always keep on this device" have the green circle with the white check mark.

These always available files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always there for you even when you’re offline.

Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand

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:

• Right-click on your Desktop and select Refresh.

• Uninstall any backup applications that are not longer used. Restart your computer after each uninstallation.

OneDrive will show a padlock iconnext to the sync status if the file or folder hassettings which prevent it from syncing.

Learn more about restrictions and limitations when you sync files and folders.

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.

The blue one is for your work or school account, the white one is for your personal account.

Learn how to add an account in OneDrive.

A chain or link icon over a folder means it's a shortcut to another folder that has been shared.

1. PressWindows key+E.

2. PressCTRL+ALT+DELand selectTask Manager.

3. SelectMore detailsto show all the apps.

4. On theProcessestab, underApps, right-click onWindows Explorer.

5. SelectRestart.

1. PressWindows key+E.

2. PressCTRL+ALT+DELand selectTask Manager.

3. SelectMore detailsto show all the apps.

4. On theProcessestab, underApps, right-click onWindows Explorer.

5. SelectRestart.

A black circle with a white cross means that a file or folder cannot be synced. Mac users will see this in Finder or on the OneDrive menu bar icons.

Click theOneDrive icon in the menu bar area to learn more about the problem.

For more help, read how toFix OneDrive sync problems on a Mac.

A grayed-out OneDrive iconwith a line through itmeans you're not signed in, or OneDrive setup hasn't completed.

UseFinderorSpotlightto start OneDrive.

Note:If you seetheerror message "You're already syncing a personal OneDrive on this computer", follow the steps tounlink and relink your account.

The paused symbol over the OneDrive or OneDrive for work or school icon means your files are not currently syncing.

To resume syncing, select the relevantOneDrive icon in the notification or menu bar area, select More and thenResume syncing.

Learn more aboutHow to Pause and Resume sync in OneDrive.

The circular arrows over the OneDrive or OneDrive for work or schoolnotification 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.

Sync icons may also be seen online in OneDrive.com.

OneDrive will also check for other file or folder changesand may show "Processing changes". IfOneDrive 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. To help resolve these problems, readOneDrive is stuck on “Processing changes".

If you're seeing the sync pending icon in File Explorer, readOneDrive is stuck on "Sync pending".

If you see a red "no entry" style icon over your OneDriveicon, it means your account is blocked.

Learnmore about what to dowhen your OneDrive account is frozen.

You may see this icon if you sign in toOneDrive with a work or school account. It means your admin has blocked the sync of certain file types. It's most common to block Outlook data files.

If you also sign in to OneDrive with a personal account, the same restrictions will apply.

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 there's a line under the sharing icon, it means that the file is on the device.

Learnmore about how to change sharing atShare OneDrive files and folders.

A 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.

You can’t open online-only files when your device isn’t connected to the Internet.Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand.

When you open an online-only file, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. You can open a locally available file anytime, even without Internet access.

If you need more space, you can change the file back to online only. Just right-click the file and select “Free up space.”

Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand.

Files that you mark as "Always keep on this device" have a Solid green circle or underlined gray tick.

These always available files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always there for you even when you’re offline.

Learn more about OneDrive Files On-Demand.

OneDrive will show a padlock iconnext to the sync status if the file or folder hassettings which prevent it from syncing.

Learn more about restrictions and limitations when you sync files and folders.

The OneDrive cloud icon may briefly appear in your Android notifications aspart of the normal uploadprocess.

Learn more about how toUse OneDrive on Android.

The glimmer marks (three little blue lines) seen next to a file or folder indicate that the file is new.

The three squares icon next to an album indicates a shared collection of files. You will see this whether you are the owner of the files, or if they have been shared with you.

Learn more aboutadding and syncing shared folders to OneDrive.

The blue diamond icon on the OneDrive.com toolbar shows your current subscriptionwithOneDriveorMicrosoft 365, and how much storage you have used.

If you don't have a subscription, select the icon to see what plans are available.

A chain or link icon over a folder means it's a shortcut to another folder that has been shared.