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
    2022-07-24T03:52:15+00:00

    I tried some of these suggestions listed, but my computer didn't work the same way for these fixes. While trying to figure out how to sign out of One Drive, I found something about "synching" files in the "Account Protection" window in a blue subtitle: "Manage synch settings". That brought me to a window that said "Accounts > Windows Backup". I clicked on the One Drive "Manage sync settings", it is seemed to reset. Now, the brown file box is gone from my desktop files and my One Drive files. I guess the brown file box means that the files weren't synching, and, therefore, not available.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-07-24T03:59:27+00:00

    Thanks, I try that and let you know.

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-07-31T20:30:23+00:00

    I had this same issue when I logged into windows 11 today. Followed the steps and BOOM! Gone after I refreshed the desktop.

    Thanks, Super Star Advice

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-08-12T11:06:01+00:00

    You've probably got folder backups enabled. You can use OneDrive to back up your Documents, Desktop and Pictures.

    In the system tray, right-click the OneDrive icon and click settings.

    Select the Backup tab.

    Select manage backups and add or remove whichever folders you're having the problem with.

    Hope this helps.

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