Plus Sign Appears in Windows Explorer but Not in File Manager (120222)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q120222

SYMPTOMS

  • When you run Windows Explorer, you see a plus sign (+) before each folder or tree.
  • When you run File Manager, you do not see the plus or minus signs (+ or -) before each folder or directory.

CAUSE

  • In Windows Explorer, the plus sign appears before network directories and floppy disk drives for performance reasons. Ghosted connections are used for network directories; therefore, the plus sign appears until the directory is accessed. Floppy drives display a plus sign because it is time consuming to poll floppy drives until you want to access them.
  • In Windows 3.x and Windows for Workgroups 3.x, the plus and minus signs are enabled by default for File Manager. In Windows 95, they are disabled by default.

RESOLUTION

  • If you click the plus sign, it disappears if there are no subdirectories. If there are subdirectories, clicking the plus sign makes the subdirectories visible.
  • On the Tree menu in File Manager, click Indicate Expandable Branches to view the plus and minus signs in File Manager.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/8/2001
Keywords:kbAppCompatibility KB120222
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.