Download RefreshWindows for Mac - Refresh the contents of all open Finder windows. MacUpdate Mac File Management Software Downloads

RefreshWindows is a simple, faceless application to refresh the contents of all open Finder windows. Also refreshes more than one level down, when using expanded folders in list view. I got sick of creating new folders, opening and closing windows, and changing views to update window contents, especially for network volumes. 10.4 has improvements over previous OSes, but still lacking. If this was a windows application it would be called ``F5key''.

Version 1.0.1: Improved compatibility with OS X 10.3.x when updating directory contents.

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Refresh Finder (votes: 1 )

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SAURYA_S How do you use this program?

Putting on the toolbar in windows, clicking it runs the program and quit. So for every refresh it does the run and quit cycle.

i wish it could run in background and some hot key could be assigned to it - perhaps using Quicksilver.

or perhaps some hotkey could be assigned to run and quit without anything appearing on the dock or so.

ETNIER The screenshot here shows RefreshWindows in the toolbar of a finder window. How is that accomplished, please?
(Version 1.0.1)

Replies:

Feb 23 2006

ETNIER Sorry- figured that out. I didn't know that was an option: drag anything into the toolbar when in configure-toolbar mode.
(Version 1.0.1)

Feb 23 2006

JPDEV Create a finder window with the Toolbar showing. Select from the menu bar View->Customize Toolbar. Now just drag the RefreshWindows application into the toolbar, and it's there for good.
(Version 1.0.1)

MAKAI Am I missing something? I figure, I need to double-click the app icon to start it up and have it keep running in the background, to update the content display of any Finder windows that become active afterwards. Right?

So upon double-click I get the message "Preparing to move to Trash -- The item "Refresh" cannot be replaced because it is invisble" and it comes 2 or 3 times until it gives up.

Was this some sort of installation procedure? Or am I just sitting in the wrong movie? I am runnning Panther 1039.
(Version 1.0)

Replies:

Feb 22 2006

JPDEV I originally developed this on 10.4.x. thus I didn't check backwards compatibility. Version 1.0.1 works a bit better with 10.3.x-10.4.x.
(Version 1.0.1)

Feb 22 2006

JPDEV Just run this app when you want folder contents updated. Will update all current open finder windows.
(Version 1.0.1)

Feb 22 2006

MAKAI Now seems better, no more error messages. TNX!
(Version 1.0.1)

AQTINC This is a great idea!! Even local volumes don't update as one would expect. It drives me crazy to know that a folder's contents have changed, but the finder isn't showing the changes.

Having to keep this parked on the dock though isn't a good idea. Can you find a way to add it to the finder toolbar, or even add it to the right-click menu list? That would be a kick-ass solution!
(Version 1.0)

Replies:

Feb 22 2006

E_COMMERCE Just curious, but why is this needed on 10.4.x, which has kernel-level file updates? The Finder updates instantly there.
(Version 1.0)

Replies:

Feb 21 2006

JPDEV I agree, and thay is true. But on a daily basis I sit here waiting for my network volume finder windows to update, and they never do. All the local volumes do, and it works great. Networked volume contents updating has much to be desired. I guess eventually the network volume windows will update, but not at a satisfactory interval, without intervention of course. Of course, on the other hand, constant polling of network volumes checking for changes isn't the most efficent way to operate, thus a feature any operating system will go without. It just makes sense why this functionality doesn't exist. Other operating systems have menu items and/or keyboard shortcuts for updating directory contents. This is as close as it gets. (F5 key?)
(Version 1.0)

Feb 21 2006

PEDRO FARDILHA Hello.

I don't use network folders that much that will make me install (one more) app.

But I can tell you that when I do, those networked folders just don't update as they should
(Version 1.0)

Feb 22 2006

UMIJIN This is needed because some finder windows don't update their contents very quickly.

I encounter this issue when I use the file synchronizing application Synk. After you synchronize files across a network, the updated volumes often don't show the file results until the file system refreshes it. The files don't show up no matter how you sort them. You can find them via spotlight, but they don't appear in the folder until later.

I look forward to putting this one through the paces.
(Version 1.0.1)