USB 3.0 ports function as USB 2.0 ports on Windows 7 with an Intel USB 3.0 xHCI Controller

On a Windows 7 machine with an Intel USB 3.0 xHCI Controller (*), the USB 3.0 ports function as USB 2.0 ports -- i.e. devices connected to the USB 3.0 ports (e.g. a blue-colored port) still appear under the USB 2.0 (EHCI) controller in the Device Manager and function at USB 2.0 rate.

(*) Intel® 7 Series/C216 Chipset, although the same should happen on Intel® 8 Series/C220 Chipset