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
    2022-10-21T01:38:42+00:00

    There is just certain folder that says documents, which is on my computer but not under One Drive. Just documents in my C drive. Everyone there has brown brief cases. However, I believe they already copied in my One Drive folder. 

    I would think that since OneDrive is a Microsoft product you would get updates along with your other Windows Updates.

    But I believe they are the same documents though.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-10-21T20:25:07+00:00

    I didn't read through all 6 pages of responses, but I thought I'd post the solution for me. Much easier and quicker than stopping and re-starting OneDrive. Sorry if it's already been posted. From Microsoft Support:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-do-the-onedrive-icons-mean-11143026-8000-44f8-aaa9-67c985aa49b3

    Brown box on Desktop icons

    A brown box over your Windows Desktop icons can be caused by an issue with Windows Explorer. <br> <br>To resolve the issue, restart Windows Explorer:<br><ol type="1"><li style="margin-left: 0"><p data-prewrap="true">Press <b>Windows key</b>  + <b>E</b>.</p></li><li style="margin-left: 0"><p data-prewrap="true">Press <b>CTRL</b> + <b>ALT</b> + <b>DEL</b> and select <b>Task Manager</b>.</p></li><li style="margin-left: 0"><p data-prewrap="true">Select <b>More details</b> to show all the apps.</p></li><li style="margin-left: 0"><p data-prewrap="true">On the <b>Processes</b> tab, under Apps, right-click on <b>Windows Explorer</b>.</p></li><li style="margin-left: 0"><p data-prewrap="true">Select <b>Restart</b>.</p></li></ol>

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-10-21T20:35:46+00:00

    Thank you all very much !!

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-08T19:42:58+00:00

    I wondered the same. I paused Sync on one drive, then resumed and they went away.

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