OneDrive - Sync Icons Explained for files and folders

OneDrive is great for syncing your files. OneDrive has a great feature called Files on Demand. Your files on your computer could have three possible status icons with Files on Demand running. These icons appear when you are in File Explorer. I'll explain the three OneDrive sync icons and determine the local hard drive space used on your computer from OneDrive. We will look at how to free up hard drive space used by OneDrive.
The OneDrive Files on Demand sync icons are easy to understand. You have three icons for your files and folders. The "Blue cloud icon" is for files available online. No space is taken up on your local hard drive. If you don't have an internet connection, you can't download or access the blue cloud icons only.
Chris Menard's blog post
chrismenardtraining.com/post/...
The "Green tick icon" or "green check in a white circle icon", is for files on your computer and OneDrive. Unlike the blue cloud icon, these files are available without an internet connection.
The last icon is the "Solid green circle with the white check mark icon". These files are the same as the Green tick, except, if Storage Sense is turned on, these files will ALWAYS be on your hard drive and OneDrive. If you do not have Storage Sense running, the two checked icons would work the same. Storage Sense, if configured, will take the green tick mark files, when your hard drive starts getting full or after x numbers of days of no file activity, and move the green tick marks to the cloud only - the blue cloud icon.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:21 OneDrive storage
3:35 View OneDrive space online
4:32 Three icons for storage
5:18 Blue cloud icon
5:35 Tick icon or Green check
6:18 White check with Green circle
7:47 Download cloud become tick icon
8:55 Free up space
11:40 Setting - Files on Demand
Storage:
When you open File Explorer, click OneDrive, and select Properties to see two storage numbers. One is the total storage of your OneDrive account. numbers. This is not the storage that's on your computer that's the total amount of storage being used in your OneDrive account. To see the storage is being used on your computer look at size on disk So much time
drive.google.com/file/d/1lv9D...
Icons explained
Blue Cloud icon
A blue cloud icon next to your OneDrive files or folders indicates that the file is only available online. Online-only files don’t take up space on your computer.
No internet, no file download.
Green tick icons
When you open an online-only file, it downloads to your device and becomes a locally available file. You can open a locally available file anytime, even without Internet access.
If you need more space, you can change the file back to online only. Just right-click the file and select “Free up space.”
Solid green circle with the white check mark
Files that you mark as "Always keep on this device" have the green circle with the white check mark. These always available files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always there for you even when you’re offline.
OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows 10
Files on demand work on Windows and Mac.
Files On-Demand allows you to access all your files and folders stored in OneDrive without having to download all of them, and use up your hard drive storage. By default you have 1024 GB of storage in OneDrive, or 1 TB.
When you turn on Files On-Demand, you’ll see all your files in File Explorer and get new information about each file. The three icons are the blue cloud, the green tick icon, and the solid green circle with the white check mark.
Microsoft Support Article - What do the OneDrive icons mean?
support.microsoft.com/en-us/o...
#onedrive #microsoftonedrive #chrismenardtraining #chrismenard #onedriveicons
Chris Menard's website:
chrismenardtraining.com
Video editing by ‪@Graphicious‬

[@lacanche12]

If it wasn't so far away I would come to offer you a drink. Man , that's explained as the best. Thanks a lot.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thanks, Marc. I could use a "beverage" today. :-)

[@bradyreid9270]

100% agree

[@rachp6785]

Yes I agree thanks so much 😊

[@monalisakarataua5896]

Yay finally found someone who is clear, doesn't rush thru steps, without having to pause and rewind repeatedly to understand, and friendly. Not to mention knowledgeable. You are the one. Thanks Chris

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you, Monalisa. Much appreciated.

[@caddis71]

@@ChrisMenardTraining I could not be more agree with Monalisa, Thank you Chris

[@atsource3143]

absolutely

[@fytubevw]

My words exactly!!! Big thanks.

[@mustafae2115]

This video is a gem. I've been searching for over a year for a good explanation and walk through on this. Finally a clear thorough explanation. Thank you

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thanks, Mustafa.

[@Dubinvero]

Chris thanks for your outstanding explanation on using One Drive. It is essentially a perfect video. Very clear audio and great pacing showing where to click and the purpose of the activity.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Very welcome!

[@bobby_boy182]

Brilliantly explained in plain English that even I can understand. Been struggling to understand OneDrive and why it is taking up so much space on my C: Drive when my Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos folders are all on my D: Drive. Now I know! Not only that, I now know how to free up that space. Thanks ever so much.

[@amybilkey7618]

I found your video to be the most useful instruction in all of the web. You kept me from making monumental errors.

[@mohammedshoaibali907]

Thank you chris menard . From 2021. I am searching for the green tick that comes on folder from one drive . Now I satisfied by this video u explain . Great job man . 👍

[@jimisitt4518]

Excellent video. There was a lot I didn't understand with OneDrive. Chris made it so easy to understand. I wasn't sure I wanted to spend 13 mins trying to figure out how to sync my OneDrive but this was the BEST 13 mins invested.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Jim, thank you so much. I remember making this video and when I was done, I couldn't believe I went for 13 minutes. :-)

[@kulanchandrasekaran4462]

Nice work. Clear and unhurried pace yet utilizing the available time so efficiently. Thanks for a great video. And excellent audio quality to go with it. Microsoft has its own tutorial, but yours is much better. Maybe they should hire you before they make their next tutorial. Thumbs up and subscribing.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you. A lot of my videos end up on Microsoft's 365 KZbin channel. I appreciate the nice compliment.

[@DanPeay]

Well done! Clear, Concise, and Accurate! Clear videography, clean audio, excellent editing. Thank you.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thanks, Dan! I appreciate the feedback.

[@loyaltyzaccai]

Yes! Lol… Dan said it. Thank you. I needed this info and you got right to it.💕

[@Chickiwi]

I am a very slow learner in that my preference learning is from wholes down to parts. Your explanations have helped me a great deal to fill in those gaps though. Thank you.

[@SpotWorksLNC]

I had my doubts that you could save my opinion of OneDrive but kudos to you. Without your video OneDrive was the most confusing online back up systems I've ever seen. Now, it makes sense. Thanks so much!!!

[@250gilly]

Thanks so much Chris....Ive had one drive for ages and its always been a mystery. You made it so clear and concise. Thank you.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Very welcome.

[@sheristrykowski4690]

Thank you for the clear explanation. Refreshing. Nice, calm pacing. Perfect delivery with the just the right amount of detail. Exactly the answer I needed.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

I appreciate the positive comment. Thank you, Sheri.

[@theinfinsx2446]

Very very very nicely explained. It sorted out all my doubts and concerns. Thank you so much, Chris. You're doing a great & wonderful job! Keep it up! 😊

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're very welcome! Thank you for the positive feedback.

[@theinfinsx2446]

@@ChrisMenardTraining - I just realized that I missed to subscribe! How could I not! Nonetheless, it's done now! 😊

[@Angie-qi6he]

Cant believe I struggled so long to understand one drive - thank you so much for this

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad to help. It can be confusing.

[@bethkoch11]

This was great. I recently had a clean install of Windows 10 done on my PC. Although I had most of my files backed up to an external hard drive, I did lose some things. With this new install, I've made the decision to go to One Drive. I'm still a novice at One Drive so this was extremely clear and helpful.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you, Beth

[@andy8218]

🤔 I've watched several of the onedrive videos on KZbin and remained confused or worse more 😵‍💫confused than before watching. However, Chris finally managed to get onedrive status icons explained in a way or manner that made it MUCH easier for me. 👍

[@robertwoolley8632]

Very well explained thank you. That has resolved my confusion as to where a particular file/folder is stored - cloud, local or both.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you, Robert.

[@balkishanchandak490]

So far the only tutorial I've seen that takes it slow and doesn't require prior experience to soft design.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you!

[@mohsinfareed1797]

Thanks .You explained many things which were not clear to me or not discussed on other youtube videos. Great man.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad it helped. Thanks, Mohsin.

[@sulisarosaro6209]

Thank you Chris! I just learnt so many things. Was wondering why my documents and files have the green check. Now I am fully informed. Grateful for the knowledge sharing. Suli (Fiji)

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Great to hear!

[@robertaxford5596]

Excellent explanation. I'm new to this and you made it so simple and clear...far better than One Drive or Microsoft can do Thank you

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome! Thanks, Robert.

[@yaseenali200]

great video, just what i was looking for, concise, clear and informative. not to mention use of in time examples for better understanding.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Awesome, thank you!

[@bymepjstewart]

Clear, concise,.and no time wasted. Thank you!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you.

[@jimlangerhuizen6621]

Thank you Chris for your clear explanation🙏 I like your clear pronounciation and the (slow) pace of your explanation 👍

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

My pleasure!

[@hassanhammod9535]

Thanks for your explanation! Finally i found some one explain the main difference between the green check mark & the white check mark.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you. I know what you mean. I've seen some horrible explanations of the check marks.

[@merlliacharles8501]

once again KZbin has saved my life😭😭 thank you so much for the explanation👍💯

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Happy to hear that!

[@amaratrnovac6131]

Thank you so much! All perfectly explained and in a pleasant way to listen to as well :)

[@charliearmour1628]

Hi Chris. Thank you so much for this. I've been looking for someone to explain this to me in plain language for so long now. From 'Subscribed & Happy'.

[@tonyabifadel1872]

Chris you are one of the best! Thanks for the detailed explanation

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Happy to help!

[@tylertrafford4623]

At last ... somebody who explains things clearly, not as if I should already know it!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you Tyler.

[@mahrukhzafar]

Thanks alot for this amazing informative video! 🙌🏻✨ I was searching for this for soooo long. Finally found this n now my all worries r gone. 😺

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

My pleasure 😊

[@socramnaistab833]

It can't get anymore simple than this. Thank you soo much howtobasic!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad to help.

[@richardwaldron1684]

Brilliant video, very informative and clear. Thanks for posting.

[@timhaggerty7268]

I agree with @Marc Sierens so we'll have to make it a double as your explanation was so easy to understand and navigate through. Thank you very much

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you, Tim! I appreciate the positive feedback.

[@kateldelacruz]

I accidentally tapped that "always keep on this device" and my files turned out in green tick. dunno what that means since I am not really techie. 👏😊 now I'm on speaking terms with my laptop and OneDrive. Thanks Sir Menard ❤

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Excellent!

[@Cyborg9799]

Thanks! very informative. Stuff, if you don't know about it already, is useful immediately and supports productivity.

[@patrickstaresina3902]

Excellent video, Chris! Thank you.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad you liked it! Thanks, Patrick.

[@brianattard5799]

Very well explained in very simple terms!!! Well done and many thanks.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are welcome! Thanks, Brian.

[@BC19572]

When I view onedrive online most my folders are empty, on my pc they have the blue cloud and I click on it and it is empty. I just started using ondrive, but years ago i'm sure my files somehow when to onedrive without me knowing. I was never interested in it back then, but now I'm starting to use it. Lots of stuff to learn. Your video was very good.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you.

[@sathitkraitong5167]

Great VDO, this is very helpful and simple understandable. Much appreciated.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're very welcome!

[@harryepotter186]

Very good explanation for OneDrive. Thank you.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are welcome!

[@hassanmaje5849]

The icons were confusing and you have aptly clarified.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you!

[@sallygibson826]

Such an brilliant video. Everything so well explained. It all makes sense.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you Sally. Much appreciated.

[@upuldevendra4973]

Excellent. Awesome tutorial. Very simple and to the point. All the best Sir

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad you liked it

[@randyo5468]

Thank you for offering such clear and concise information.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're very welcome!

[@jwall62]

Thanks, I needed this. Just had to start using onedrive for work, my first week using and I lost internet and had none of my files to work with. I couldn't figure how how to get everything back on the new laptop. I'm running "always keep on device" right now, fingers crossed!

[@gavgreen10]

Great video Chris, I'm new to using OneDrive so that was a clear to understand overview, thanks. One icon I have that isn't mentioned is the blue 'recycle' circle, two blue arrows in a circle, I am assuming this is the sync logo and I always seen to have this and not the cloud logo. Any ideas?

[@javmar86]

Thanks man!! great video, super concise and clear!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome!

[@alexandervalladares2501]

Great Video Sir !!! Very much appreciated!!!

[@claycooper5260]

Great info thanks for the 'simplified' training Chris

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad to help. Thanks, Clay.

[@TaqiUlAbrar]

Thank you so much for your excellent explanation.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are welcome!

[@MrHallusination]

Finally, someone that knows what the purpose of the solid green circle means.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you!

[@alexandervalladares2501]

Your videos are so helpful!!!

[@leonidmuhhin6808]

Thank You ! Very clear and simple !

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are welcome!

[@joedahomo26]

Excellent video. Please keep'em coming!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Will do. I publish between 2 to 4 videos a week.

[@lesliemichael2878]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're so welcome!

[@jbdavie9513]

Outstanding! Best explanations I've ever gotten.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Great to hear! Thank you!

[@delbates4726]

Great video... so easy to understand!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad to hear that!

[@egv7468]

Awesome explanation, thanks!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome!

[@michaelpratt6003]

Chris brilliant video thank you

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Michael.

[@daveg7585]

Great video! Very clear! Thank you!

[@jasonnorris5259]

Thanks Chris, very informative 👍

[@kenman1001]

Excellent video, thanks Chris 👍

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thanks 👍

[@arksurvivalevolved9190]

Chris, spectacular, thank you...

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@invader4000]

thanks for a really nice walkthrough

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Kasper.

[@ms7165]

Wow, so simple but first time I've understood exactly what these symbols mean. Thanks! Oh, do you have a vid on setting up 2 OneDrive accounts on one PC? Business and personal like yours? Also maybe a way to set up where you have more than one account and be able to see on one PC?

[@malarpaul2888]

Thanks alot! Your explanation was quick and easy

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thanks, Malar!

[@rasi123ful]

Hey man, very clean, interesting and professional. Good sNice tutorialt.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Hey, thanks!

[@migueles4834]

Great video Chris. Very simple and to the point yet very clear. One question though: if I work on any file locally how do I ensure the changes are mirrored in the existing cloud version of the same file, and vice-versa? Thank you.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

If you are updating files and you want they stay sync. Make sure they have the check mark. That takes care of it.

[@greciangirl75]

Excellent Video! Very simple and to the point

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Global_Enlightenment_Now_2060]

2023 SETTING AND LOCATIONS : are not in this video , but you can figure it out yourself , with this video guide , it helped a lot

[@sylwiapustkowiak8969]

Nice explanation, thanks!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are welcome.

[@emreyorukogu3345]

Clear, Simple, Perfect

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you.

[@replicantmodel]

Great video. I didn't know this was how it worked. Thank you.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad to help. I kept getting asked about OneDrive so I decided to make a video.

[@williamandwilmagreenwood4433]

Now we understand - this was great information Chris July 202

[@salimshadman8953]

That really was a great explanation

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you! Much appreciated. I love OneDrive.

[@johnhebert7445]

Thank you for the information. Exactly what I needed.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad to help. Thanks, John.

[@gillthompson7325]

clear explanation.. good graphics , Thanks

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome!

[@mikefa5891]

Thanks for the helpful video! i do have a question on an icon that you did not cover: many of my files on my OneDrive have 2 circular arrows icon next to it - what could be causing that? Does it mean it needs to be updated?

[@alanmartin4607]

Great video, clear explanations. I'm new to OneDrive. If you delete a file that's local, it goes to the recycle bin. What if it's cloud only, does it get downloaded and placed into the recycle bin? Also when a file, say is in the cloud Documents folder and is downloaded to your desktop, where does it go? I ask because my OneDrive Documents folder shows files with a green check mark, but my local Documents folder shows "This folder is empty".

[@madhurigole1964]

Informative video. Thank you

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome

[@argenisaguilar9045]

Great explanation..thanks so much..

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are welcome!

[@robertblakely8489]

thank you so much. very helpful!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're very welcome!

[@capt.H]

Thanks , very informative.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@Mr.NoisyOfficial]

Best explanation out there! Thanks!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Thank you. I made this video because of the other explanations. :-)

[@sherlockholmes7719]

Thank you for the video, it was very helpful!

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome!

[@edoakleymusic]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@T_210]

Good information and video- thanks. I have one for you Chris- my laptop and desktop were both sync'd with OneDrive. Over the years, they each share most files- but many don't populate all three places. Is there an easy procedure to clean it all up? I'd like to have all three places echo each other. I have an external drive I can park files in or could create a new Folder on OneDrive (1tb) to park stuff while sorting this out. Thanks for giving it some thought.

[@judyann4793]

Thanks. I needed that. 😊

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You’re welcome 😊

[@hyunlee8812]

Thank you so much for good information.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You are most welcome

[@marielymelendez8968]

Thank you so much for this video. Could you show us how we can set up both a personal and a work or school OneDrive account on a new computer or desktop.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

I'll make a video in the next couple of weeks. Do you have Windows 10? If yes, you should have OneDrive installed for personal. I added a business by opening up the personal OD and going to settings and accounts. I added an account (my work account) Here is a screenshot. drive.google.com/file/d/1fmoqeZSFtQOqHgMj5ILMAERmWAJxN9MX/view?usp=drivesdk

[@katlegosojane1]

Excellent tutorial, thanks.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome!

[@jmathers1642]

Great info, thanks.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sheebajoshi4312]

I was always fascinated by trap soft, been listening to trap long ti and i finally decided that i will try to make my own but i was so

[@Nadia7067]

Great video. A question: I do have some folders and files that shows a green check (tick) icon (so not solid green) however it is also marked "Always on this device". I want to change all folders and files to a solid green icon, however there are some green check (tick) files and folders that don't allow me to change it to a solid green. Why is that? I've tried everything, but the green check (green outline) does not want to change to a solid green icon. Even though it already says "Always on this device". I have found on the internet that some others are also having this issue, but can't find a solution. Thank you,

[@miriamguasch9377]

Thank you, finally I understand.

[@ChrisMenardTraining]

You're welcome! Thanks, Miriam.

[@stevendeleon7067]

Great video but I was looking for information about the brown box that seems to appear sometimes on the bottom left of some files that are saved in my one drive.

[@pookibowah]

Thanks for the video - super helpful! In setting up, I linked the PC Documents (My documents) folder to One Drive and didn't mean to. Unlinking has been problematic. Do I even bother? I really do not need all the various programs file documents folders on my one drive but I am going around the houses trying to untangle. Any advice is appreciated! Go Dawgs!