Ever noticed little check marks appearing on your desktop icons in Windows 11? At first, it can be confusing—did you enable something by mistake? Are your files syncing? The truth is, these check marks usually come from Windows features like OneDrive or File Explorer settings. The good news? You can remove them easily.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the reasons why check marks appear on desktop icons and the different ways to get rid of them.
Why Do Check Marks Appear on Desktop Icons in Windows 11?
Check marks usually appear for three common reasons:
- OneDrive Sync Status – If your files are backed up to OneDrive, Windows adds small icons to show sync status (green check = synced, cloud = online only).
- Item Check Boxes – File Explorer has an accessibility feature that shows check boxes when selecting multiple files.
- Third-Party Apps – Cloud storage apps like Dropbox or Google Drive may also add icons to indicate sync status.
Understanding the source makes it easier to fix.
Method 1: Disable Item Check Boxes in File Explorer
One of the most common reasons for check marks is the Item Check Boxes feature.
Steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on the View menu at the top.
- Go to Show.
- Uncheck Item check boxes.
This instantly removes the check marks used for multiple selections.
Method 2: Turn Off OneDrive Sync Status Icons
If the check marks are green and appear mainly on synced files, they’re likely coming from OneDrive.
Steps to Disable OneDrive Overlays:
- Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
- Select Settings.
- Go to the Sync and backup or Settings tab (depending on your version).
- Uncheck options like:
- Show sync status on Files Explorer
- Files On-Demand (optional, if you want all files stored locally).
- Click OK to apply changes.
No more green check marks!
Method 3: Disable Other Cloud Storage Sync Overlays
If you use Dropbox, Google Drive, or other sync apps, they also add icons to desktop files.
- Dropbox: Go to Preferences > Sync and disable overlay icons.
- Google Drive: Open Settings and look for overlay or sync status options.
Each app has slightly different steps, but the idea is the same—turn off sync status icons.
Method 4: Refresh the Icon Cache
Sometimes the check marks are a glitch in the icon cache.
Steps to Rebuild Icon Cache:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run these commands one by one:
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F DEL /A /Q "%localappdata%\IconCache.db" DEL /A /F /Q "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\iconcache*" shutdown /r - Your PC will restart, and the cache will rebuild.
This fixes stubborn icon display issues.
Method 5: Use Group Policy Editor (Advanced Users)
If the issue persists, you can force Windows not to show sync icons.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. - Go to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer - Double-click Turn off the display of sync provider notifications.
- Select Enabled and click OK.
This removes OneDrive and other sync-related overlays system-wide.
Tips to Prevent Check Marks from Reappearing
- If you don’t use OneDrive, consider unlinking your PC from it.
- Avoid enabling Item check boxes in File Explorer.
- Keep your sync apps’ settings minimal if you prefer a clean desktop.
Conclusion
Check marks on desktop icons in Windows 11 aren’t errors—they’re just status indicators. Whether it’s from OneDrive, File Explorer, or third-party apps, you have full control to turn them off. By tweaking a few settings, you can enjoy a clutter-free desktop with clean, simple icons.
FAQs
1. Are check marks on desktop icons a virus?
No, they’re not a virus. They’re usually from OneDrive or File Explorer settings.
2. Can I remove check marks without disabling OneDrive?
Yes. Just turn off the sync status overlays in OneDrive’s settings.
3. Why do some files have green check marks while others have clouds?
Green check marks mean the file is synced and available offline, while a cloud means it’s stored online only.
4. Do check marks affect file performance?
No, they’re purely visual indicators and don’t affect performance.
5. Will rebuilding the icon cache delete my files?
Not at all—it only refreshes how icons are displayed, not the files themselves.