Windows OneDrive folder and file properties

Hello

I use Windows 10 on the system this relates to.

All the files in the OneDrive folder has the green checkmark.

1.
Are the files with the green checkmark both in a local OneDrive folder and in the OneDrive online cloud?

2.
If I "Unlink this PC" - what happens to all the files with the green checkmark?
They are kept in the OneDrive online cloud?
They are deleted from the local OneDrive folder?

3.
If I download a file from OneDrive online browser then the files "Modified" date is being updated - bad
If I copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another local folder, then the "Modified" date is unchaged - good
I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder - is the "Modified" date unchanged or updated?

I know the "Created" and "Accessed" dates are being updated / new when copying file A.

4.
Are the answers the same for Windows 11?

Thank you

Into_Oblivion1 said:

I use Windows 10 on the system this relates to.
All the files in the OneDrive folder has the green checkmark.

1. Are the files with the green checkmark both in a local OneDrive folder and in the OneDrive online cloud?

Click to expand...

There are two types of green checkmark, one with a white background, the other solid green. Both mean that the file is on your PC as well as in the cloud. Solid green are files that you have marked as "Always keep on this device".

Full list of all icon meanings here: What do the OneDrive icons mean? - Microsoft Support

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Are the answers the same for Windows 11?

Click to expand...

Yes.

I've been using OneDrive since it was introduced 18 years ago. I keep Files On Demand turned OFF. This results in everything kept in my OneDrive folder being kept in real-time sync in both cloud OneDrive and local OneDrive. Thus, when I do my daily Macrium Reflect X images I am backing up everything in OneDrive. This is what my File Explorer currently looks like. Notice the Status icons.

Thank you for your replies

Can anyone please help me with 3. and 4.?

Thank you

Have a great weekend

TraderGary said:

I keep Files On Demand turned OFF. This results in everything kept in my OneDrive folder being kept in real-time sync in both cloud OneDrive and local OneDrive. Thus, when I do my daily Macrium Reflect X images I am backing up everything in OneDrive. This is what my File Explorer currently looks like. Notice the Status icons.

View attachment 141632

Click to expand...

Where is this setting "Files On Demand "? I can't find it in OneDrive settings?

@Basa

To turn Files On-Demand OFF in OneDrive and ensure all files remain available both locally and in the cloud, follow these steps:

Turn Off Files On-Demand

1. Open OneDrive Settings:
   • Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).
   • Select the gear icon > Settings.
2. Go to Sync and Backup:
   • In the OneDrive settings window, click on the Sync and backup tab.
3. Disable Files On-Demand:
   • Scroll to Advanced settings.
   • Find the Files On-Demand section.
   • Uncheck the box that says “Free up disk space.”
   • Check the box that says "Download all files."
4. Confirm and Apply:

• Click OK or Apply to save your changes.

Make Sure All Files Are Stored Locally

After turning off Files On-Demand, OneDrive will begin downloading all files to your device. To ensure this happens:

1. Open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer.
2. Right-click the top-level OneDrive folder (or any subfolder you want fully available).
3. Select “Always keep on this device.”

This will force OneDrive to download and store all files locally while keeping them synced to the cloud.

What Happens Next?

• All files in your OneDrive folder will be physically stored on your device.
• Any changes made locally will still sync to the cloud in real-time.
• You’ll no longer see the “cloud-only” icons — everything will be available offline.
• Now when you do your image backups, you will also be backing up everything in cloud OneDrive.

There are no "Advanced Settings" in OneDrive on my PC? Look at the screenshots. Although I remember that there was such an option before?

Basa said:

There are no "Advanced Settings" in OneDrive on my PC? Look at the screenshots. Although I remember that there was such an option before?

Click to expand...

Scroll to the bottom of the Sync and Backup page and there will be a line that says, "Advanced settings".

Click on it.

Then scroll to the bottom of that page.

I found it now. Thank you!

Can anyone help me with my remaining questions?

2.
If I "Unlink this PC" - what happens to all the files with the green checkmark?
They are kept in the OneDrive online cloud?
They are deleted from the local OneDrive folder?

3.
If I download a file from OneDrive online browser then the files "Modified" date is being updated - bad
If I copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another local folder, then the "Modified" date is unchaged - good
I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder - is the "Modified" date unchanged or updated?

Another quetion related to the topic:

5.
When I access the Windows OneDrive folder - close the folder - and then access the folder again. The files / bmp. files properties "Accessed" timestamp has been updated.
I only opened the folder, I did not open the files in any way.

Why is the files "Accessed" timestap updated?

Thank you all

Have a great weekend

I see you have a similar, simultaneous post here: Question - Windows OneDrive folder and file properties.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Can anyone help me with my remaining questions?

2.
If I "Unlink this PC" - what happens to all the files with the green checkmark?
They are kept in the OneDrive online cloud?
They are deleted from the local OneDrive folder?

Click to expand...

If there is a green checkmark in the status column it means that the file is in both the local OneDrive folder and cloud OneDrive. A solid green circle checkmark means Files On Demand is turned OFF. This results in everything kept in the local OneDrive folder being kept in real-time sync in both cloud OneDrive and local OneDrive.

If you "Unlink this PC", all files that are in the local OneDrive folder remain unchanged. All files that are in cloud OneDrive remain unchanged. The only thing you have changed is the synchronization between the local OneDrive folder and cloud OneDrive.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

3.
If I download a file from OneDrive online browser then the files "Modified" date is being updated - bad

Click to expand...

If you actively copy a file from cloud OneDrive to local OneDrive it creates a new sync, and the file status changes because of the newly instantiated synchronization. The purpose of OneDrive is to keep all files between your local OneDrive folder and cloud OneDrive in perfect real-time sync.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

If I copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another local folder, then the "Modified" date is unchaged - good

Click to expand...

When you copy a file from OneDrive to a local folder outside of the OneDrive folder, no sync takes place, thus the file status does not change.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder - is the "Modified" date unchanged or updated?

Click to expand...

When both computers are using the same cloud OneDrive, all files are kept in real-time sync between both computers. That's the beauty of OneDrive, you can move transparently between the two computers. You edit a file in the OneDrive folder, and the file is edited on both computers. You delete a file in the OneDrive folder, and it is deleted on both computers.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Another quetion related to the topic:

5.
When I access the Windows OneDrive folder - close the folder - and then access the folder again. The files / bmp. files properties "Accessed" timestamp has been updated.
I only opened the folder, I did not open the files in any way.

Why is the files "Accessed" timestap updated?

Click to expand...

Whenever you open a OneDrive folder you cause OneDrive to compare all files to see if there are any changes that have occurred that would require cloud OneDrive to be updated. Remember, the purpose of OneDrive is to keep all files in OneDrive synchronized at all times.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Thank you all

Have a great weekend

Click to expand...

TraderGary said:

If you "Unlink this PC", all files that are in the local OneDrive folder remain unchanged. All files that are in cloud OneDrive remain unchanged. The only thing you have changed is the synchronization between the local OneDrive folder and cloud OneDrive.

Click to expand...

If I unlink, I can still see the OneDrive folder in Windows, but I can't access it.
The status of the files are "Locally available".
What happens to the data in the local OneDrive folder?
Is the data deleted from the local folder?
Is the data being stored in a restricted folder, until the system is linked to OneDrive again?

TraderGary said:

If you actively copy a file from cloud OneDrive to local OneDrive it creates a new sync, and the file status changes because of the newly instantiated synchronization. The purpose of OneDrive is to keep all files between your local OneDrive folder and cloud OneDrive in perfect real-time sync.

When you copy a file from OneDrive to a local folder outside of the OneDrive folder, no sync takes place, thus the file status does not change.

When both computers are using the same cloud OneDrive, all files are kept in real-time sync between both computers. That's the beauty of OneDrive, you can move transparently between the two computers. You edit a file in the OneDrive folder, and the file is edited on both computers. You delete a file in the OneDrive folder, and it is deleted on both computers.

Click to expand...

Let me rephrase 3.

3.
If I copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another local folder, for example Desktop, then the "Modified" date is unchaged in file properties- good
I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder, for example Desktop, then the "Modified" date is unchaged in file properties?

Thank you

Into_Oblivion1 said:

If I unlink, I can still see the OneDrive folder in Windows, but I can't access it.

Click to expand...

Cloud OneDrive is still yours. The only thing that changed is the files in cloud OneDrive are no longer synchronized with the files in your local OneDrive folder. The files in cloud OneDrive are still yours. You can change them. You can delete them. You can download them to use on your local computer. The only thing that's changed is the link the keeps the files synchronized.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

The status of the files are "Locally available".

Click to expand...

If you use File Explorer to look at your local OneDrive folder, the files are, of course, locally available.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

What happens to the data in the local OneDrive folder?

Click to expand...

Your OneDrive folder works like it always has. You can copy files, edit files, delete files, just like any folder. The only thing that changed was you unlinked from cloud OneDrive and your files in your OneDrive folder are no longer synchronized with cloud OneDrive.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Is the data deleted from the local folder?

Click to expand...

Only if you delete it yourself. Again, after you unlink, the only thing that changed was sync with cloud OneDrive. After unlinking your OneDrive folder works like any folder on your computer, just like it always has.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Is the data being stored in a restricted folder, until the system is linked to OneDrive again?

Click to expand...

The OneDrive folder is not restricted in any way. It acts like any other folder on your computer. It always has. Again, the ONLY thing that has changed is your synchronization with cloud OneDrive.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Let me rephrase 3.

3.
If I copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another local folder, for example Desktop, then the "Modified" date is unchaged in file properties- good

Click to expand...

Not only is that good, it's the way files have always worked with the OneDrive folder. OneDrive only syncs with files that are in the OneDrive folder.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder, for example Desktop, then the "Modified" date is unchaged in file properties?

Click to expand...

That's what I love about OneDrive. The files in the OneDrive folder on both of my computers are always in real-time sync. If I change a file on one computer, it changes on both computers. If I delete a file, it's deleted on both computers., That's why I love being able to move from one computer to another and all my work is always in perfect sync.

Remember, the only files that are affected by OneDrive are the files that are actually in the OneDrive folder. If you copy or move a file to a folder outside of the control of the OneDrive folder, it's now unaffected by OneDrive.

Into_Oblivion1 said:

Thank you

Click to expand...

TraderGary said:

Cloud OneDrive is still yours. The only thing that changed is the files in cloud OneDrive are no longer synchronized with the files in your local OneDrive folder. The files in cloud OneDrive are still yours. You can change them. You can delete them. You can download them to use on your local computer. The only thing that's changed is the link the keeps the files synchronized.

Click to expand...

Let me try to rephrase:

I have copied files to my Onedrive folder in File Explorer. I can see the files in the Onedrive folder in File Explorer.
The files are "Locally available".

The files in the Onedrive folder in File Explorer - is that only a cloud view or is it local data on my drive?

If I then unlink Onedrive in Windows:
I can see the Onedrive folder in File Explorer, but when I double click it / try to access it - nothing happens - I can't access it.

If it is local data on my drive and not a cloud view - what happens to this data when I unlink Onedrive in Windows, and no longer can access the Onedrive folder in File Explorer?

TraderGary said:

That's what I love about OneDrive. The files in the OneDrive folder on both of my computers are always in real-time sync. If I change a file on one computer, it changes on both computers. If I delete a file, it's deleted on both computers., That's why I love being able to move from one computer to another and all my work is always in perfect sync.

Click to expand...

If I copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another local folder (out of Onedrive), for example Desktop, then the "Modified" date is unchaged in file properties- good
I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder (not a Onedrive folder), for example Desktop, then the "Modified" date is unchaged in file properties?

Have you tried this experiment?

Thank you

Not sure I quite followed this, but "local data" refers to your usual files on your computer - eg documents, pictures folders and their contents. The One Drive folder is just something to do with one drive.

If you want to unlink one Drive and uninstall it/not use it, and just use the data on your computer, then I would do a backup of all the files on your computer first onto an external hard drive. Just in case you didn't have the right boxes ticked in one drive, because the wrong combination can delete the files from your computer as well as one drive. I will admit I don't fully understand it and I always uninstall it and keep my files on my computer and back them up some other way.

When you say the one drive folder, do you mean the one in c drive? Or - you mentioned one in file explorer. I think the one in file explorer just shows what is backed up with one drive in the cloud. Which is probably why you can't open it when you unlink one drive. Local data remains in its usual folders on the computer.

Hazel123 said:

Not sure I quite followed this, but "local data" refers to your usual files on your computer - eg documents, pictures folders and their contents. The One Drive folder is just something to do with one drive.

Click to expand...

"Local data" - data that is on the drive, and not in the cloud

Hazel123 said:

When you say the one drive folder, do you mean the one in c drive? Or - you mentioned one in file explorer. I think the one in file explorer just shows what is backed up with one drive in the cloud. Which is probably why you can't open it when you unlink one drive. Local data remains in its usual folders on the computer.

Click to expand...

I only have one Onedrive folder and its on C:

Local data remains in its usual folders on the computer. - this only refers to the Onedrive folder in C:

The One Drive folder in C, can just be activated again if you install MS office for example. I believe some people rename it to stop it being activated. Or you could just ignore it if not intending to install anything that will trigger one drive again. I've had One Drive come back after unlinking/uninstalling, when I installed Office - but I just deleted it in programs again.

Has anyone tried, and can confirm:

If you copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another folder on the drive, then the “Modified” date is unchanged.
I have only tried this on the same computer.
But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder on its drive
Is the “Modified” date unchanged or updated?

Has anyone tried, and can confirm:

If you copy a file from the OneDrive folder in Windows to another folder on the same drive, then the “Modified” date is unchanged.
I have only tried this on the same computer.

But what if there is 2 computers:
Computer 1 copy file A to the Windows OneDrive folder.
Computer 2 (another computer) copies file A from Windows OneDrive folder to another local folder on its drive
Is the “Modified” date unchanged or updated?