Reload Desktop Windows 11 _top_ [ 2026 Edition ]

^!r:: ; Ctrl+Alt+R Run, powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force; Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 500; Start-Process explorer.exe" return Compile to .exe or run with AutoHotkey installed. | Issue | Behavior | |-------|----------| | Open File Explorer windows | They will close | | Taskbar icons | Will reappear after restart | | Running apps (Chrome, Word) | Unaffected | | Start menu customization | May need a second to reload | | System tray area | Reinitializes |

trayMenu = new ContextMenuStrip(); trayMenu.Items.Add("Reload Desktop", null, OnReload); trayMenu.Items.Add("Exit", null, OnExit); reload desktop windows 11

Application.Run(new ReloadDesktopTray()); Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 500

powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force; Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 500; Start-Process explorer.exe" Now right-click desktop background → "Reload Windows 11 Desktop". Save as ReloadDesktop.ahk : reload desktop windows 11

Use this instead of restarting Explorer manually via Task Manager – it’s faster and safer.