OneDrive file: available on this device vs always available

Question

OneDrive file: available on this device vs always available

Robert Paulsen 205

I try to keep all my files on OneDrive.

Almost all my files have a little green circle with a white checkmark. They have a comment when the mouse hovers over them in the details view. The comment says "always available on this device." SOME files have a white circle (outlined in green) with a green checkmark. The comment for these files says "available on this device." Note that it doesn't say "always."

What is happening here?

Robert Paulsen 205 Reputation points

2025-07-27T19:40:51.8833333+00:00

Craig,

I found the "storage sense" settings. Thanks.
Craig Long 18,545 Reputation points

2025-07-27T20:09:22.12+00:00

You are welcome. Feel free to mark any answer that you think has helped so that others may find it.

Answer accepted by question author

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Your answer

Robert Paulsen 205 Reputation points

2025-07-27T19:40:51.8833333+00:00

Craig,

I found the "storage sense" settings. Thanks.
Craig Long 18,545 Reputation points

2025-07-27T20:09:22.12+00:00

You are welcome. Feel free to mark any answer that you think has helped so that others may find it.

Answer 1

Craig Long 18,545

All OneDrive files exist in the cloud. The sync icons pertain to the various local versions of these online files.

Storage Sense is a OneDrive feature that helps keep your hard drive from filling up with temporary or unnecessary files.

When Storage Sense is turned on, files marked as "Always available on this device" cannot be freed up by Storage Sense. Files marked as "Available on this device" may be freed up by Storage Sense if not opened within a specified time. Files that are freed up have a blue cloud icon.

See the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yKbOxn4E0A

Manage drive space with Storage Sense

Eric Lewis 5 Reputation points

2025-11-05T21:11:29.9933333+00:00

Free up files on your hard drive with caution. Files both in OneDrive and your hard drive have proper backup protection. That REQUIRES at least a second copy off-site under the theory that a disaster won't hit both locations. Not 100% but close.

Answer 2

Hi Robert,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

To answer your question Available on this device means the file is downloaded but may be removed to save space. Always available on this device means the file stays permanently on your device and is accessible even offline. The icon will change to a green circle with a white checkmark, indicating that the file is always available.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please reach back out and I will be more than happy to assist you.

Regards,
Carlo | Microsoft Community Support