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Why OneDrive Files Change from Solid to Outline Green Check
Question details
Users need to understand the difference between solid and outline green check marks on OneDrive files and how to stop them from changing states unexpectedly.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing file synchronization and local storage space using OneDrive Files On-Demand.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive file status icons unexpectedly change from a solid green circle with a check mark to a white circle with a green outline check mark.
Ensure your computer has an active internet connection and that the OneDrive application is currently running and logged in within your system tray.
Reset OneDrive and Manage Files On-Demand Settings
Resetting the OneDrive client resolves unexpected syncing behaviors, and properly configuring Files On-Demand ensures your files remain locally available.
A solid green check means a file is marked to 'Always keep on this device', ensuring offline availability. An outline green check means a file is temporarily available locally but can be automatically moved back to online-only to save disk space.
If your icons are changing unexpectedly, resetting the OneDrive synchronization client and verifying your storage settings can lock your files in the desired state.
Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type '%localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset' and press Enter to reset the application.
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray, click the Gear icon (Help & Settings), and select 'Settings' from the menu.
Navigate to the 'Sync and back up' tab, expand 'Advanced settings', and review the 'Files On-Demand' feature to match your local storage preferences.
Open File Explorer, right-click the specific files or folders you want to keep permanently, and select 'Always keep on this device' to force a solid green check mark.
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- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the solid green check mark mean in OneDrive?
A solid green circle with a white check mark means you have marked the file or folder as 'Always keep on this device'. This guarantees the file takes up local storage space and remains permanently available offline.
What does the green outline check mark mean?
A white circle with a green border and a check mark indicates a locally available file. The file was downloaded to your device when you opened it, but Windows may safely remove the local copy if your PC runs low on disk space.
How do I stop OneDrive from removing my local files?
Right-click the files or folders you want to keep offline and select 'Always keep on this device'. Additionally, check your Windows Storage Sense settings (Settings > System > Storage) to ensure it isn't configured to automatically dehydrate older OneDrive files.
What should I do if my OneDrive sync icons are missing completely?
Restart your computer or restart the Windows Explorer process from the Task Manager. You can also verify that the OneDrive application is running by looking for the blue or white cloud icon in your taskbar system tray.
