Alex Ruben
How to Fix Windows 11 Desktop Refresh Bug: A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide addresses the issues related to the Windows 11 desktop not refreshing automatically, which can hinder user productivity. By following these steps, you will learn how to resolve the desktop refresh bug, ensuring that your desktop updates effectively when files are added or removed.
Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer
Restarting Windows Explorer can resolve many desktop refresh issues. Follow these steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager or right-click on the taskbar.
- In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
- Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.
- Wait a few seconds as the taskbar and desktop icons disappear and reappear.
Step 2: Clear File Explorer History
Clearing File Explorer history can help resolve visibility parameters that affect the desktop refresh. Here’s how:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on the View tab, then click Options. In Windows 11, click the three horizontal dots and select Options.
- In the General tab, under Privacy, check all options to show files, folders, and Office files.
- Click Clear to clear File Explorer history.
- Next, click on Restore defaults.
- Finally, click OK to confirm and apply the changes.
Step 3: Modify the Registry
Modifying the registry can repair issues with the automatic refresh. Please exercise caution when working with the registry:
- Type
regeditin the Windows search and press Enter. - Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\. - Look for the Update sub-folder.
- If the Update folder does not exist, right-click the Control folder and select New Key.
- Name this new key Update.
- In the right-hand pane, look for an entry named UpdateMode.
- If it does not exist, right-click on the empty space on the right, select New DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it UpdateMode.
- Double-click the UpdateMode entry and set its value to
0, then click OK. - Finally, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
To ensure a smooth process, consider the following tips:
- Always back up your registry before making any modifications.
- If the problem persists after following these steps, verify your system’s display settings and refresh rate.
- Keep your Windows up to date, as updates may contain patches for known issues.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, you learned how to resolve the desktop refresh bug in Windows 11 by restarting Windows Explorer, clearing File Explorer history, and modifying the registry. Following these steps should enhance your desktop’s functionality and usability. For further assistance, please consult additional related guides.