A slight modification to your code was all that was needed. Thanks!

RefreshDesktop

function RefreshDesktop()
dim $shell
$shell=createobject("shell.application")
$shell.MinimizeAll()
sleep 0.5
$=sendkeys("{f5}")
$shell.UndoMinimizeAll
endfunction

The odd thing is, on my home pcs, I couldn't reproduce the symptoms I was having on my work pcs. Hmmmmm??? I'll post more if I can figure out the difference.
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(... better days ahead)