If you notice that when you press the F5 key on the keyboard in Windows PE mode of Windows 11/10, the folder and file list in File Explorer doesn’t refresh, then this post is intended to help you. In this post, we will present the workaround you can try to help you remediate the issue.
Let’s take a look at a typical scenario where you can encounter this anomaly.
- You start Windows 11/10 in Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE) mode.
- You then create a folder or rename a folder and you press the F5 key.
- In this scenario, the folder and file list in File Explorer does not refresh.
F5 does not refresh Explorer in Windows PE Mode
If you encounter this issue on your Windows system, you can try either of the recommended workarounds below to resolve it.
To refresh the folder and file list in File Explorer, use one of the following methods:
- Click another folder, and then click the previous folder.
- Move the mouse cursor over the folder and file list.
Windows PE (WinPE)
Windows PE (WinPE) is a small operating system used to install, deploy, and repair Windows for desktop editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education), Windows Server, and other Windows operating systems.
From Windows PE, you can:
- Set up your hard drive before installing Windows.
- Install Windows by using apps or scripts from a network or a local drive.
- Capture and apply Windows images.
- Modify/troubleshoot the Windows operating system while it’s not running/online.
- Set up automatic recovery tools.
- Recover data from unbootable devices.
- Add your own custom shell or GUI to automate these kinds of tasks.
WinPE is intended to replace MS-DOS boot disks and can be booted via USB flash drive, PXE, iPXE, CD-ROM, or hard disk.
WinPE is not a general-purpose OS and can’t be used as a production OS. It is widely available free of charge via Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK).
