Fix Windows 11 Desktop Not Refreshing Automatically Issue

It can be frustrating if your Windows 11 desktop and file folders are not refreshing automatically. Here are some solutions to help you resolve this issue.

What Can I Do If Desktop and File Folders Do Not Refresh Automatically on Windows?​

1. Restart Windows Explorer​

• Open Task Manager:
  • Right-click on the Start menu.
  • Choose Task Manager.
• Restart Windows Explorer:
  • Go to the Processes tab.
  • Find Windows Explorer.
  • Right-click it and choose Restart.

Restarting Windows Explorer can often resolve many issues related to the desktop and file folders not refreshing. This step essentially resets the graphical interface without rebooting your PC.

2. Clear File Explorer history and restore defaults​

• Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
• In the Explorer window, click on the Menu button (three horizontal dots) and select Options.
• Now, check all the boxes in the Privacy section, including Show recently used files or folders in Quick Access, if you have them, and hit the Clear button.
• In the Folder Options window, click on the Restore Defaults button right below.

Clearing the Windows Explorer history and restoring it to default settings is another efficient method to fix the problem if the files saved to desktop are not visible until you hit refresh.

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3. Unlink OneDrive with Your Device​

• Open OneDrive Settings:
  • Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray.
  • Go to Settings.
• Unlink this PC:
  • Navigate to the Account tab.
  • Click Unlink this PC.
  • Confirm by clicking Unlink account.

Unlinking OneDrive can resolve conflicts that might be preventing the desktop and files from refreshing. You can link it back later if needed.

4. Remove Desktop Backup from OneDrive​

• Open OneDrive Settings:
  • Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the system tray.
  • Go to Settings.
• Manage Backup:
  • Navigate to Sync and Backup.
  • Click Manage backup.
  • Turn off the toggle for Desktop.

Removing the desktop backup from OneDrive ensures there are no syncing conflicts that prevent automatic refreshing.

5. Remove Mapped Network Drives​

• Open File Explorer:
  • Click on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.
• Disconnect Network Drive:
  • Go to This PC or Network.
  • Right-click the network drive you want to remove.
  • Select Disconnect.

Removing mapped network drives can help if the issue is caused by network paths that are no longer available or are causing delays.

6. Modify Registry Items​

• Open Registry Editor:
  • Press Windows + R keys.
  • Type regedit and press Enter.
• Navigate to Update Key:
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Update.
• Modify UpdateMode:
  • Find UpdateMode on the right panel.
  • Double-click to open it.
  • Change its value to 0.
  • Click OK.

Note: If UpdateMode does not exist, create it:

• Right-click Control.
• Choose New > Key and name it Update.
• Inside the Update key, right-click and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name it UpdateMode and set its value to 0.

Modifying registry items can directly affect how Windows handles updates and refreshing. This step should be done carefully and only if other fixes have not worked.

7. Run an SFC scan​

• Click the Search box, type cmd, and select Run as administrator from the results to open Command Prompt with full privileges.
• Type the following command and press Enter to run it:sfc /scannow
• Wait for the scanning to complete and restart your PC.

8. Unpin Network Share/Folder​

• Open File Explorer:
  • Click on the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.
• Unpin Network Drive:
  • Go to This PC or Network.
  • Right-click the network you want to unpin.
  • Select Disconnect network drive.

Unpinning network drives can help if the connection is causing delays or issues with refreshing.

9. Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions​

• Download ShellExView:
  • Download and install ShellExView.
• Identify Third-Party Extensions:
  • Run ShellExView.
  • Find extensions not from Microsoft (use the Manufacturer column).
• Disable Extensions:
  • Select suspicious third-party extensions.
  • Right-click and choose Disable Selected Items.

Disabling third-party shell extensions can help identify if any are causing conflicts with the automatic refresh feature.