The Function of The Refresh Button (F5) in Computer/PC

Have you taken your Computer/PC for repairs or to a friend who is good in operating computer and you see him/her pressing the refresh function button (F5) and going to your laptop/computer desktop, right click and click on refresh? 


You might have asked him/her why he/she uses the refresh button and did not get a reasonable response, this post will answer all your questions about the refresh button. Questions like;
  • What does the refresh button or action actually does?
  • Does it refresh my Windows Operating System (OS) and keep it running smoothly?
  • Does it make my Windows Operating System (OS) run faster? 
  • Does it free up my computer/PC RAM?
The Refresh button has been in Windows Operating System (OS) since from Windows 95 till date in the newly launched Windows 10 Operating System (OS).

What does the refresh button or action actually does?

The windows refresh button actually refreshes your Windows desktop. Your windows computer desktop is a folder in the Windows operating system, it has been programmed to auto-refresh when its contents changes. However, sometimes due to a variety of reasons, the desktop or folder does not auto refresh, and you need to refresh it manually by pressing the refresh function key 5 (F5) or by right clicking on your windows desktop and click the refresh option.

So when your technician presses this key, do not marveled because maybe he/she has recently install a new software/application to your computer system/PC and uses the refresh key to check if the changes or installation have reflected.

This are the reasons/issues that will prompt you to use the refresh button (F5):

  • When your windows computer desktop does not display the files or folders you just created, moved, deleted, renamed or saved on it,
  • When you need to re-align your desktop icons,
  • when you find out that your desktop icons are unusable,
  • When the files that were created to the desktop by 3rd-party application do not appear,
  • When your windows desktop becomes unresponsive.
When you encounter the issues/problems mention above, you can use the refresh button to solve them.

How To Use The Refresh Action:

  • Press the function key 5 (F5) 
  • or 
  • Right-click on your Windows desktop and select Refresh.
Its also true that your technician or friend is pressing this key just to show you his/her skills in computing without the intention of solving any problems in your computer.

With all this i believe i have answered all your questions listed above.
  • Does it refresh my Windows Operating System (OS) and keep it running smoothly?
No it does not.
  • Does it make my Windows Operating System (OS) run faster?
No it does not.
  • Does it free up my computer/PC RAM?
No it does not.
Previous Post Next Post