"Refresh Devices" does not detect newly plugged-in devices

[marinemrodriguez]

Type: Bug Report

Describe the bug

• OS and Version: Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (26100.6899)
• VS Code Version: 1.105.1
• Extension Version: 1.14.0
• Target Device: STLINK-V3

After plugging in a device, it does not appear in the Device Manager list, even after clicking "Refresh Devices". The device only appears after running "Developer: Reload Window*.

To Reproduce

1. Open more than one instance of VS Code.
2. Plug in the device.
3. Switch to an instance of VS Code where the device is not listed under Device Manager → Devices (it may only appear in one instance).
4. Click "Refresh Devices": the list does not update.
5. Run "Developer: Reload window": the device now appears under Device Manager → Devices.

Expected behavior
Clicking "Refresh devices" after connecting a new device should update the device list without requiring a full window reload.

Additional context
This relates to issue #1 , where a similar problem was reported: "trouble to detect the board while plug / unplug" with "several instances of VS Code running in the same time". At that time, it was noted that VS Code has a limitation for which "there isn't a way to message between VS Code instances". However, this issue is not about automatic detection across instances: it concerns the manual refresh functionality, which should still update the list even if multiple VS Code instances are open.