"Michael Solomon" <user@#notme.com> wrote in message
news:ejzVW9q2HHA.4720@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
>
> "Bob Butler" <noway@nospam.ever> wrote in message
> news:#pIvjaq2HHA.4004@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> When the folders pane is displayed in Explorer under Vista the +/- icons
>> are only visible while the mouse is over that pane. If the mouse is
>> moved to the toolbar or the details pane or anywhere else all the visible
>> cues as to which folder has sub folders are lost. Is there any way to
>> make those remain visible at all times? Failing that, can anybody give
>> any reason why they'd want this information should be hidden most of the
>> time?
>>
> Actually, it is more of an arrow than a +/- sign and as you've surmised,
> what you are seeing is by design. I'd only be guessing at why they did it
> and it would likely take a registry hack to change it. It's possible some
> theme package might make the change. Check out WindowBlinds,
> http://www.stardock.com/products/windowblinds/
> Or, do a Google search on Windows Themes or Vista Themes.
Thanks, I've actually got it set to Windows Classic so it is a +/- for me
and I forgot that they changed that as well. As you noted, the quetion
still holds. Somebody went out of their way to add this "feature" which as
far as I can see has no upside.