Ever noticed those green check marks suddenly appearing on your desktop icons in Windows 11? At first glance, it might look like something’s wrong with your computer. Don’t worry—it’s not a virus. Those marks are usually sync indicators from cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox.
In this guide, we’ll break down why they appear, what they mean, and the exact steps to remove them.
What Do the Green Check Marks Mean?
In Windows 11, the green check marks on desktop icons typically come from OneDrive or other cloud-syncing apps. They’re visual indicators telling you the status of your files:
- Solid green circle with a white check mark – File is available offline and fully synced.
- White circle with a green check mark – File is online-only but marked as “always keep on this device.”
- Blue cloud icon – File is stored only in the cloud, not on your device.
Why Do Green Check Marks Appear on Desktop Icons?
The marks appear because:
- OneDrive sync is enabled for your Desktop folder.
- Files are being kept both locally and in the cloud.
- You’ve chosen the option Always keep on this device.
- Dropbox or other cloud storage services use similar sync indicators.
Step 1: Check if OneDrive is Causing It
Most of the time, OneDrive is the reason. To check:
- Look for the OneDrive icon (cloud symbol) in the taskbar (bottom-right).
- Right-click it and open Settings.
- Under the Account tab, see if your Desktop is syncing.
Step 2: Pause or Disable OneDrive Sync
If you don’t want the green check marks, pause or stop sync:
- Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
- Select Pause syncing and choose the duration.
- To disable completely, go to Settings > Account > Unlink this PC.
Step 3: Change OneDrive Folder Backup Settings
To stop Desktop icons from syncing:
- Right-click the OneDrive icon.
- Go to Settings > Sync and Backup > Manage Backup.
- Uncheck Desktop so it no longer syncs.
- Click Save changes.
Step 4: Use Free Up Space or Keep on This Device
OneDrive lets you choose how files are stored:
- Right-click a file/folder > Free up space → removes the local copy, leaving it cloud-only (blue cloud icon).
- Right-click > Always keep on this device → forces local copy (green check mark).
If you want to remove the green marks, select Free up space.
Step 5: Disable Icon Overlays via Registry (Advanced)
If you want to remove the overlays entirely (not recommended unless you know what you’re doing):
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers
- Delete or rename the OneDrive-related entries (e.g., “OneDrive1”, “OneDrive2”).
- Restart your PC.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause issues. Back up your registry before making changes.
Step 6: If You’re Using Dropbox or Google Drive
Other cloud apps also use green check marks.
- Dropbox: Right-click the Dropbox icon > Preferences > Sync > disable overlays.
- Google Drive: Right-click Google Drive > Preferences > uncheck Desktop syncing.
Alternative Fix: Disable OneDrive Completely
If you never use OneDrive, you can remove it:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to Apps > Installed Apps.
- Search for Microsoft OneDrive.
- Click Uninstall.
Pros and Cons of Removing Green Check Marks
Pros
- Cleaner desktop appearance.
- Less confusion about file status.
- Saves system resources if OneDrive is disabled.
Cons
- You lose quick visual sync status.
- Files may not be backed up automatically.
- Risk of data loss if local files are deleted without cloud backup.
Tips to Manage Desktop Icons Without Check Marks
- Store important files in Documents instead of Desktop.
- Use cloud storage selectively.
- Organize icons into folders for less clutter.
- Use third-party sync tools if you don’t like OneDrive overlays.
Conclusion
The green check marks on desktop icons in Windows 11 are not a problem—they’re just sync indicators from OneDrive or similar apps. If they bother you, you can disable Desktop syncing, change file storage options, or even uninstall OneDrive. Just remember, those marks are there for your safety, ensuring your files are synced and protected in the cloud.
By following the steps above, you can keep your desktop clean while still managing your files the way you like.
FAQs
1. Why do some of my desktop icons have green check marks in Windows 11?
They indicate that your files are synced with OneDrive or another cloud service.
2. How do I remove the green check marks but keep OneDrive?
Right-click the file and select Free up space to make it cloud-only.
3. Can I stop only the Desktop from syncing to OneDrive?
Yes, go to OneDrive settings > Manage Backup and uncheck Desktop.
4. Is it safe to uninstall OneDrive?
Yes, but you’ll lose automatic file sync and cloud backup.
5. Do green check marks mean my files are safe?
Yes, they mean the file is successfully synced and backed up.