Files Missing in File Manager After Running Search Command

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11
• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

In File Manager, it appears as if most of the files on a drive have disappeared. The directory structure for the drive appears correctly, and running a DIR command at an MS-DOS prompt displays all the files.

CAUSE

File Manager has a filter function that allows you to see only files meeting the filter specification (such as, *.BAT or *.DOC). To set this filter, you choose By File Type from the View menu. If you use the Search command from the File menu and then select another drive, however, File Manager uses the search filter as a global filter. If the Save Settings On Exit option has been activated on the Options menu, this global filter is saved and used each time you run File Manager.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, choose By File Type from the View menu and specify *.* as the Name.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows for Workgroups version 3.11. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.