Hi
i just installed synology drive client and opus 13 on a new laptop. But i cannot see the file and folder sync status icon as i can on my stationary. Both running windows 11 pro.
Any solution ?
thanks
Jorn
Try rebooting first, if you haven’t since the Synology software was installed.
Did you need to add the drive/folder to the list of Cloud Storage folders in Opus on the desktop?
Are the icon overlays showing in File Explorer?
hi
thanks,
i tried reboot no solution.
what do you mean reg "Did you need to add the drive/folder to the list of Cloud Storage folders in Opus on the desktop?"
i dont know if i have to do that and how to do that
they dont show in native file explorer either
Thanks to CoPilot, I found this information that might help people decide what they want to keep in the top 15 entries under the Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers key.
For OneDrive and Dropbox, the essential ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers are the ones that represent the most critical file statuses. Here's a breakdown:
OneDrive
OneDrive typically uses six identifiers:
- OneDrive1: Indicates files or folders are syncing.
- OneDrive2: Shows files or folders are up to date.
- OneDrive3: Represents files or folders with sync issues.
- OneDrive4: Marks files or folders that are shared.
- OneDrive5: Highlights files or folders that are excluded from syncing.
- OneDrive6: Used for other specific statuses.
Dropbox
Dropbox uses multiple identifiers, but the most important ones are:
- DropboxExt1: Indicates files or folders are synced (green checkmark).
- DropboxExt2: Shows files or folders are syncing (blue circle).
- DropboxExt5: Represents files or folders with sync issues (red X).
- DropboxExt7: Marks files or folders that aren't syncing (gray icon).
The other identifiers (like those for locked files) are less critical unless you specifically work with locked files.
If you're running into the 15-icon limit in Windows, you can prioritize these essential identifiers by renaming them in the registry (e.g., adding spaces to their names to move them to the top).
Here is some more information about other entries in my Registry. I wonder if there is a way to increase the Windows limit beyond 15 or configure DOPUS to set user preferences?
Qsync
Qsync, a file synchronization tool by QNAP, uses registry entries to manage its integration with Windows Explorer. These entries are typically found under ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers and are used to display overlay icons for file statuses like "synced," "syncing," or "conflicted." If you're troubleshooting or managing these entries, look for keys like QsyncExt1, QsyncExt2, etc. These represent different statuses, similar to how OneDrive and Dropbox manage their overlays.
AccExt
The AccExt entries, such as AccExtIco1, are associated with Adobe Creative Cloud. They indicate the synchronization status of files and folders with Adobe's cloud services. These entries are also part of the ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers and are essential for displaying overlay icons that show whether files are synced, syncing, or have issues.
If you're running into the 15-icon limit in Windows, you might need to prioritize the most critical entries for the applications you use most.
And seeking answers to my own question through the "evil" DeepSeek (as opposed to the the "controlling" CoPilot:
Yes, Windows limits the number of overlay icons that can be displayed in File Explorer to 15 (including some reserved system overlays). This limit is hardcoded in Windows Explorer, and modifying the registry alone won’t increase it. However, there are a few workarounds you can try:
1. Prioritize Overlay Icons in the Registry
Since Windows only loads the first 15 entries (sorted alphabetically) from the ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers key, you can:
- Open Regedit (
regedit.exe). - Navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers - Rename the entries you want to keep by prefixing them with a number or symbol to force them to load first (e.g.,
!OneDrive,02Dropbox, etc.).- Windows sorts entries lexicographically, so symbols like
!,_, or numbers can help prioritize them.
- Windows sorts entries lexicographically, so symbols like
2. Disable Unnecessary Overlays
Some overlays are from apps you may not need. You can disable them by:
- Uninstalling unnecessary programs that add overlays (e.g., cloud storage apps you don’t use).
- Disabling overlays in app settings (e.g., in OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox settings).
3. Use a Third-Party File Manager
Some alternative file managers (like Directory Opus, Total Commander, or XYplorer) don’t have this limitation and may display more overlays.
4. Manual DLL Override (Advanced)
Some users have reported limited success by:
- Moving unwanted overlay handlers to a different registry key (backing them up first).
- Using symbolic links to trick Windows into loading more overlays (risky, may cause instability).
5. Group Overlays with a Custom Handler (Developer Option)
If you’re a developer, you could create a single overlay handler that combines multiple overlays into one, then dynamically switches based on file state. This requires writing a shell extension in C++.
Why Is There a Limit?
Microsoft imposed this limit for performance reasons, as each overlay requires additional resources in Explorer. Loading too many can slow down file browsing.
Final Recommendation
The most practical solution is prioritizing the overlays you need by renaming their registry keys. If you need more than 15, consider disabling unused ones or switching to a third-party file manager.
Would you like help identifying which overlays are currently being loaded? You can check using tools like Autoruns (from Microsoft Sysinternals) under the Explorer tab.
Please note that AI-generated posts are against the rules of the forum.
1 Like
Hi again
very helful and great insight, thanks so much for your input and sharing 