Andreas Mohr wrote:
Are you sure the apps get notified, too? ISTR XP doesn't automatically update the Explorer view after you have plugged in a USB stick, or maybe I'm wrong?
Yes it does. and any program can. There is an API to watch for File System changes. From files (for editors), to folders and drives. The standard Shell control (Used in file dialogs and Explorer) uses this API by default. Also apps that do their own Dialogs like office.