Refreshing the Explorer Window

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated April 12, 2021)

When using Windows Explorer (Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8 and Windows 10), there may be times when the display becomes "stale." This may happen if another application is manipulating files or folders in what's being displayed by Explorer. Whenever you want to be certain that what you're seeing in Explorer accurately reflects the underlying data you can refresh the Explorer window.

There are a few ways to refresh the Explorer window. Perhaps the easiest way is to make the window active and then press the F5 key. Another way is to right-click an empty area of the Explorer window and select Refresh from the resulting Context menu. If you are using Windows Explorer (Windows 7) there is a third way: You can click the View | Refresh menu.

Regardless of the method you choose, the window is refreshed and you can rest assured that what you're seeing is an accurate representation of the underlying data.

 This tip (12388) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Scanning Pictures with a Scanner

If all you have is a hardcopy picture, you can still digitize it by using a scanner. This tip gives a high-level ...

Discover More

Renaming or Deleting File Folders

Just as you can rename and delete individual files, so to can you rename and delete the folders that contain those files.

Discover More

Agent Ransack

If you need to search the contents of files fast, Agent Ransack is a tool worth having. It searches through multiple ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Determining if You Have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows

There are occasions when you may want to know whether you're running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. This tip ...

Discover More

Changing the Desktop Background

You can change the image that is displayed for your desktop background to a more aesthetically pleasing picture. There ...

Discover More

What are Modern Apps?

The capabilities of apps changed with Windows 10. What, exactly, are modern apps and how are they different from earlier ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.