The refresh shortcut key on Windows is F5. It reloads the web page, folder or list in front of you. In browsers Ctrl + R does the same thing, and Ctrl + F5 forces a full reload when a page looks out of date.
On many laptops the F5 key also changes brightness or the keyboard light, so the laptop refresh shortcut key becomes Fn + F5. The sections below cover the desktop, File Explorer, browsers, Excel and Mac.
Quick facts
Windows
F5Browser
Ctrl + RHard refresh
Ctrl + F5Laptop
Fn + F5Mac
Command + RStop loading
Esc
Refresh shortcut key in different places
| Where | Keys | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | Click an empty spot, then F5 | Icons are redrawn |
| File Explorer | F5 | New and renamed files appear |
| Chrome and Edge | F5 or Ctrl + R | The page loads again |
| Web page that looks stuck | Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R | Page loads fresh from the website |
| Excel with data from other files | Ctrl + Alt + F5 | All data connections refresh |
How to refresh the desktop with the keyboard
- Press Win + D to show the desktop.
- Click once on an empty part of the desktop, or press Tab until no icon is selected.
- Press F5. The icons flicker as they are redrawn.
Refreshing the desktop does not speed up a computer. It only redraws the icons, which helps when a new file you saved there is not showing yet. This clears up a common belief behind the search for a shortcut key to refresh laptop performance.
Laptop refresh shortcut key and the Fn key
Look at your F5 key. If it has a small sun, moon, keyboard or speaker symbol, it has two jobs. Pressing it alone may run the symbol action, and Fn + F5 gives the real F5. Many laptops let you swap this with Fn lock, often Fn + Esc, so the top row works as F1 to F12 without holding Fn. The F1 to F12 keys guide explains each one.
If you would rather not use the function row at all, Ctrl + R refreshes in every browser, so it is the most reliable shortcut key for refresh in laptop browsers.
Hard refresh when a page looks old
Browsers keep copies of pages to load them faster. When a website has changed but you still see the old version, a normal refresh may not help. Press Ctrl + F5 or Ctrl + Shift + R to load everything again from the website. The hard refresh shortcut page covers this in more detail.
When refresh does nothing
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| F5 changes brightness | Use Fn + F5 or turn Fn lock on |
| F5 does nothing in an app | Not every program uses F5; look for a Reload button |
| Page still old after F5 | Use Ctrl + F5 |
| Form data lost after refresh | Refreshing reloads the page; save or copy typed text first |
Refresh on a Mac
Mac browsers use Command + R to reload and Command + Shift + R for a hard reload in most browsers. Finder windows update on their own, so there is no refresh key there. For other common keys, see the Mac shortcut keys hub and the Windows shortcut keys hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut key for refresh?
What is the refresh shortcut key in a laptop?
Usually Fn + F5, because F5 often has a second job on laptops. Ctrl + R works in browsers without Fn.
Does refreshing the desktop make the computer faster?
No. It only redraws the icons. To free memory, close programs you are not using or restart.
What is a hard refresh?
What is the refresh shortcut on a Mac?
How do I refresh a folder?
Open the folder in File Explorer and press F5.