I just reinstalled Windows 7 after installing a new mainboard, and a few files "appeared" in the old installation directory afterwards:
- junctions for "Documents and Settings" and its localized form
- the $RECYCLE.BIN folder.
- assorted desktop.ini files
Explorer is set up not to hide hidden and system files, same as before the reinstallation, so I suspect that there is a separate mechanism in place to remove these items from view that is independent from file attributes.
Where is this mechanism configured, and is there a document of the default settings?