Refreshing does not restart your PC or close any apps. It simply redraws the current window.

Press on your keyboard. (On some laptops, you may need to hold the Fn key + F5 .)

For a full system reset, use instead of Refresh.

Here’s a clear, helpful text on the subject :

This is the standard method used by almost all Windows users.

For a force reload, which clears the cache and reloads the webpage, you can press Command + Shift + R .

There is a common myth that refreshing your desktop makes your computer run faster.

Or press . This works in most web browsers, file explorers, and on the Windows desktop.

If you're using a MacBook or a Magic Trackpad, you can use a swipe gesture with two fingers to the right (or left, depending on your settings) to refresh.