What are these brown box icons in left bottom corner of my files??

Anonymous
2022-03-07T21:29:56+00:00

Does anyone know where these small brown box icons came from and what they mean?? I suddenly have these little brown icons (looks like a small file box) on most of my files, Word, pdf, photos, etc. I've googled the daylights out of this and apparently lots of folks have the same question but no one has an answer. I hasn't affected my ability to open files but it's really annoying! (see pic below) Does it have something to do with my upgrade to Windows 11?

Thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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Anonymous
2022-04-23T00:35:08+00:00

Had this exact same issue today. The resolution was quick no reinstall. I'm on Win11, so perhaps that was a plus in this scenario. Here's the fix that worked for me:

  1. Open windows explorer <windows-key + e>
  2. If you're using OneDrive you should see something like "OneDrive - Personal" within the left-hand pane. If so, Right-Click to access the context-menu.
  3. You should see the menu-item: "Always keep on this device", select this.
  4. Recheck your desktop; no more brown boxes, yay!

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-03-08T22:23:07+00:00

    Thanks but I finally had to completely uninstall One Drive. That fixed the problem.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-03-08T20:46:48+00:00

    Hi JoeBrock1 -

    Thanks for the response and I do apologize if the method did not fix the issue

    When did the issue started? Are there any recent changes made on the computer before the issue started?

    Kindly try to perform system restore on your windows computer and check if the same issue appears. Kindly select a date on the restore point list where the windows was still working fine.

    Perform system restore

    -This process will take your computer settings back to an earlier point in time where computer is working fine. If there's any changes made on your computer that removes the service, system restore should be able to fix the issue for you. To perform system restore please follow the steps below:

    1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows key + R and type rstrui.exe
    2. Once system restore windows open, normally it will suggest a restore point (sometimes it doesn't) if it does, select the 2nd option and hit next
    3. Select your desired restore point date and time and hit next and finish.

    Windows will going to restart your computer to initiate system restore. System restore might take several minutes to complete depending on the current speed of your computer and the changes it will made. Applications and updates that was installed on the computer prior to the date selected will be removed. It is important that when system restore starts, process must not be interrupted.

    DISCLAIMER:

    System Restore is a recovery tool for Windows that allows you to reverse certain kinds of changes made to the operating system. System Restore is used to return important Windows files and settings—like drivers, registry keys, system files, installed programs, and more—back to previous versions and settings. Being said all applications and changes made prior to the date selected will be removed and needs to be re-installed if its needed.

    Regards,

    Kevin B.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-03-08T20:38:55+00:00

    Kevin, thanks so much for the reply but neither of those procedures changed anything. I logged out of One Drive (after I finally figured out how to do that), then shut down my laptop, turned it back on and no change. I went to archive apps but that feature was already off. I still have the same file box icon on all my folders, photos, etc.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-03-08T01:43:36+00:00

    Hi JoeBrock1-

    I'm Kevin B. Windows user like you. I do apologize for the inconvenience, let me help you sort things out.

    Are you using OneDrive? If so, that icon is for OneDrive Files on Demand.

    Kindly try to log out and log back in to your OneDrive and see if it will address the concern.

    If the issue persists, go to settings > apps > apps and feature archive apps > turn off that feature and see if the box will disappear.

    Please let me know what will happen. Hope this will help and have a blessed day!

    Thanks,

    Kevin B.

    Independent Advisor

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