How to Fix File Explorer Not Refreshing in Windows

Have you ever renamed, deleted, or added a file in Windows—only to find that the change doesn’t show up until you hit F5 or right-click and choose Refresh? This issue, where File Explorer or the desktop doesn’t refresh automatically, can disrupt your workflow and lead to confusion. Fortunately, it’s usually caused by minor system glitches and can be fixed with a few simple steps.

This guide explains why this happens and how you can restore automatic refresh functionality on your Windows system.

Why Windows Stops Refreshing Automatically

In most cases, this issue is linked to a breakdown in communication between