Carbonite Support > Colored Status Dots Not Displa...

Colored Status Dots Not Displaying

  • This article is for Windows only

Carbonite uses Window's registry to place colored status dots on your backed up files and folders to indicate their backup status.

If the Carbonite status dots don't appear on your files and folders, please make sure the show colored dots option is enabled in the Carbonite application. If you still cannot see the Carbonite status dots, another program on your computer might be conflicting with Carbonite's display.

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Ensure the Colored Dots Option is Enabled

Open the Carbonite application by double-clicking the Carbonite iconThe Carbonite logo shaped icon in the notification area by the system clock that opens your Carbonite application. in your Windows notification areaThe area next to your system clock that contains the icons of the programs you are running..

Carbonite Icon
If the icon isn't visible, click the show hidden icons button ( < ) next to the Windows notification area to display hidden icons. In Windows 7, click the Show hidden icons button ( ^ ) next to the Windows notification area to display the Carbonite icon. To view the desktop and notification area in Windows 8 and Windows 10, press the Windows Key + D on your keyboard.

The Carbonite application will open. Click the Settings & controls link.

Carbonite application: Backup settings

If the Show colored dots on files and folders option is already checked, then Carbonite should display status dots on your files and folders. If status dots are still not displaying, there may be another software on your computer conflicting with Carbonite's display.

Carbonite application: Colored dots
Remove Unwanted and Potentially Conflicting Programs

Windows limits the number of icon overlays that can be displayed on the computer. If you have software that adds icons to files, it may conflict with Carbonite's ability to display the icons properly. Carbonite will continue to function normally, however, you will have to check your backup status manually. To do so, you can browse the Carbonite Backup Drive or view the Carbonite context menu.

You may be able to resolve the issue by following the instructions below.

  1. Make sure you have the most recent version of Carbonite by updating the software.
  2. Uninstall any unused program(s) running on your computer that could be causing a conflict (like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).
  3. Restart your computer.

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