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
    2022-06-01T19:07:11+00:00

    Oh Yeah-- Flush the computer with soapy water, stand on one foot and pray to Zeus, read the Bible, and ignore this guy's ridiculous suggestions.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-05-24T10:17:54+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!

    Thank you, this one really works! If someone has the same issue, last step is going to your desktop and pressing F5 to force update.

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    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2022-04-06T21:55:05+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

    I followed this and made zero difference. Archive App features has been disabled. No change in brown box icon overlay on DropBox folders.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-09-07T11:23:13+00:00

    I hate when Microsoft does that. They keep changing windows and it always ends up messing something else up. They can upgrade security features without having to change Windows to a higher number every year.

    I don't understand why they continue to do this? They see people complaining. And most ppl don't like it

    That's why my next PC will not be Microsoft windows.

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