As you start trying out OneDrive, you might see icons that are similar to Dropbox. But what do these icons mean? Here are some tips, based off a Microsoft support article:
Icons next to a file in File Explorer
Blue
Cloud: 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. You can’t open online-only files when your device isn’t
connected to the Internet.
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 w/ 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.
Padlock
Icon: OneDrive will show a padlock icon next to the sync status if the file
or folder has settings which prevent it from syncing.
People
icon next to a file/folder: If you see a "people" icon next to
your OneDrive files or folders, this indicates the file or folder has been
shared with other people.
OneDrive icon in the system tray (by the clock)
Gray
OneDrive Cloud Icon: A grayed-out OneDrive icon in the taskbar means you're
not signed in, or OneDrive setup hasn't completed. On a PC, press
Press the Windows key , search for OneDrive and then open the OneDrive desktop
app. On a Mac, use Finder or Spotlight to start OneDrive.
Paused OneDrive Icon: The paused
symbol over the OneDrive or OneDrive for Business icon means your files are not
currently syncing. To resume syncing, select the blue or white OneDrive icon in
the notification area, select More and then Resume syncing.
Sync
Pending OneDrive Icon: The circular arrows over the OneDrive or OneDrive
for Business notification icons signify that sync is in progress. This includes
when you are uploading files, or OneDrive is syncing new files from the cloud
to your PC. OneDrive will also check for other file or folder changes and may
show "Processing changes". If OneDrive shows “Processing
changes" for a long time, it could be because you have an online file
open, a very large file syncing, a lot of files stuck in a queue. To help
resolve these problems, read OneDrive
is stuck on “Processing changes".
Yellow
exclamation mark OneDrive icon: If you see a yellow warning triangle
over your OneDrive or or OneDrive for Business icon, it means your account
needs attention. Select the icon to see the warning message displayed in the
activity center.