OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix OneDrive Files with a Gray X Not Opening in Windows 10

Maira Mehtab Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open files that display a gray X icon, typically after copying or syncing them from OneDrive to a local machine.

How to Fix Files With a Gray X That Will Not Open in Windows 10

Product: OneDrive / Windows Explorer
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Accessing files copied or synced from OneDrive on a local Windows 10 computer.
Observed behavior: Files display a gray X icon indicating they are blocked, unavailable locally, or stuck in a cloud sync state, which prevents them from being opened.

Before you start

Ensure your computer has an active internet connection and that you are fully signed into your Microsoft or OneDrive account so that background syncing can function properly.

Solution 1Recommended

Unblock the File via Windows Properties

Use this method if Windows has flagged the file as blocked for security reasons after being downloaded from the cloud.

When files are moved from OneDrive or other cloud locations, Windows 10 may block them automatically to protect your computer. Unblocking the file allows Windows to read it properly and removes the gray X.

Open File Properties

Right-click the specific file displaying the gray X icon and select 'Properties' from the context menu.

Locate the Security Section

In the 'General' tab of the Properties window, look for a 'Security' section near the bottom.

Unblock the File

Check the box or click the button labeled 'Unblock', then click 'Apply' and 'OK'. Try opening the file again.

Batch Unblocking: If you have multiple files in a folder with this issue, you may need to apply the unblock action to each file individually, or move them to a trusted local directory.

Solution 2

Download a Replacement Copy from OneDrive Online

Use this solution if the local file is a corrupted placeholder and cannot be unblocked.

Solution 3

Upload and Verify File Integrity Online

Test if the local file with the gray X still contains data by forcing it back into the cloud.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my files have a gray X on them in Windows 10?

A gray X typically means the file is blocked by Windows security, the cloud sync was interrupted leaving an invalid placeholder, or the file is archived online and unavailable locally.

Will I lose my data if a file has a gray X?

Usually, no. The file metadata is still present. You can recover the actual content by unblocking the file in its Properties, or by downloading a fresh, uncorrupted copy directly from your cloud storage online.

Can other cloud storage apps cause the gray X issue?

Yes. If you use multiple cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive simultaneously, they can sometimes conflict with Windows file states, resulting in sync errors and the gray X icon.

Document & File Issues