Dear forum, I just discovered this weird perplexing issue with one specific folder in Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. I have a folder called let's say "abc" Problem 1: The New Folder command is missing from the menubar and the context menu. It is only in this folder (I hope). Problem 2: Any folder I copy into it disappears. It does not show up even when I turn on all hidden files. But it is there because when I try to copy another folder into it with the same name, a "Do you want to replace" message comes up. I just cannot see any folders. Search does not see them either. I have full ownership and full control of this folder. I have run the System File Checker tool - all OK. The disk is ok. I think Windows is remembering the screwed up settings for the specific path and folder name. When I renamed the folder "abc2" it becomes completely normal. I can create new folders, and previously invisible folders become visible. This is without changing the permissions or touching the security stuff. When I move the weird folder off the path (eg to the desktop, or another level up the hierarchy), it also becomes normal again. How do I fix this? More importantly, why is this happening and should I be worried I am going to lose files? Thanks in advance for your help and attention!

triplecheck those ntfs permissions. (would not explain why the issue disappears when renaming the folder) Check your hard disk: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Check-your-hard-disk-for-errors. Check your system for malware using up-to-date virusscanner and anti-malware (if you do not have one, check http://www.microsoft.com/nl-be/security/default.aspx) You might boot from an alternate OS (Windows PE, live linux, ...) to check whether the files are visible in the filesystem that way. if that is the case, this indicates the issue is in th OS installation or permissions set. MCP/MCSA/MCTS/MCITP

Thanks for the suggestions. NTFS permissions: checked the affected folder, its parent (along the 'bad' path), and its children. I am the owner. Myself, my admin account, and SYSTEM all have full control. Ran Check Disk with check and fix enabled. No change. Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is up to date and reports no issues. No change so far. That one folder name in that one path is stuck in the 'wierd' state. Will try booting in Safe Mode. That's the closest I can get to an Alt OS right now.

It gets curioser and curioser... In the command line tool (running as regular user, not administrator) I see the folder functioning as expected! . . . . . . . To recap and continue the example. The weird folder is named "abc" In Windows Explorer, the controls to create new folders on both the menu bar and the context menu are missing. . . . . . . . In a normal window menubar I have: Organize | Share with | Burn | New Folder In the weird "abc" folder I only have: Organize | Share with | Burn . . . . . . . If I move a folder into "abc" using Windows Explorer the folder is not visible. If the subfolder is the only item inside "abc", Windows Explorer says "No items in folder" If the subfolder contains a file, that file appears in the root of "abc" as if the subfolder doesnt exist. . . . . . . . Using the command line, I can use the MD command to create a new folder inside "abc". This is visible as a folder. A subfolder moved into "abc" shows up as a subfolder via the command line. If the subfolder contains a file, that file appears only inside the subfolder, and not on the root of "abc". . . . . . . . Switching back to viewing with Windows Explorer - same weird behaviour. No folders visible. All subfolder items appear in the root. Files (regardless of subfolder) opens and saves correctly. Their Properties show the correct path including the non-visible folders. . . . . . . . So the problem seems to lie with the _visual presentation_ aspect of Windows Explorer, for that particular folder. The file structure is being maintained behind the deception. The command line tool shows the true state of play. Any other thoughts anyone?