diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/browser_tabs.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/browser_tabs.rs
index bf6bb736..34c5c70f 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/browser_tabs.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/browser_tabs.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ fn default_refresh_interval() -> f32 {
 pub struct BrowserTabsConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_limit")]
     pub limit: usize,
 }
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ impl Default for BrowserTabsConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             limit: default_limit(),
         }
     }
@@ -37,6 +40,7 @@ pub struct BrowserTabsWidget {
     cfg: BrowserTabsConfig,
     cache: TimedCache<Vec<Action>>,
     error: Option<String>,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl BrowserTabsWidget {
@@ -46,6 +50,7 @@ impl BrowserTabsWidget {
             cfg,
             cache: TimedCache::new(Vec::new(), interval),
             error: None,
+            refresh_pending: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -66,6 +71,7 @@ impl BrowserTabsWidget {
             changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "Tab enumeration is cached. The widget will skip refreshing until this many seconds have passed. Use Refresh to update immediately.",
             );
             changed
@@ -89,7 +95,10 @@ impl BrowserTabsWidget {
 
     fn maybe_refresh(&mut self, ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>) {
         self.update_interval();
-        if self.cache.should_refresh() {
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+            self.refresh(ctx);
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only && self.cache.should_refresh() {
             self.refresh(ctx);
         }
     }
@@ -156,6 +165,7 @@ impl Widget for BrowserTabsWidget {
             self.cfg = cfg;
             self.update_interval();
             self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/mod.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/mod.rs
index 16d59d05..97e2dba9 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/mod.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/mod.rs
@@ -541,6 +541,7 @@ impl<T> TimedCache<T> {
 pub(crate) fn refresh_interval_setting(
     ui: &mut egui::Ui,
     seconds: &mut f32,
+    manual_refresh_only: &mut bool,
     tooltip: &str,
 ) -> bool {
     let mut changed = false;
@@ -556,6 +557,10 @@ pub(crate) fn refresh_interval_setting(
         changed |= resp.changed();
         ui.label("seconds");
     });
+    changed |= ui
+        .checkbox(manual_refresh_only, "Only manual refresh")
+        .on_hover_text("Disable automatic refreshes. Use the Refresh button or update settings to fetch new data.")
+        .changed();
     changed
 }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/pinned_query_results.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/pinned_query_results.rs
index 2d151b3f..bb2f3867 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/pinned_query_results.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/pinned_query_results.rs
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ pub struct PinnedQueryResultsConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
     #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
+    #[serde(default)]
     pub click_behavior: ClickBehavior,
 }
 
@@ -58,6 +60,7 @@ impl Default for PinnedQueryResultsConfig {
             query: default_query(),
             limit: default_limit(),
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             click_behavior: ClickBehavior::default(),
         }
     }
@@ -67,6 +70,7 @@ pub struct PinnedQueryResultsWidget {
     cfg: PinnedQueryResultsConfig,
     cache: TimedCache<Vec<Action>>,
     error: Option<String>,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl PinnedQueryResultsWidget {
@@ -76,6 +80,7 @@ impl PinnedQueryResultsWidget {
             cfg,
             cache: TimedCache::new(Vec::new(), interval),
             error: None,
+            refresh_pending: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -208,6 +213,7 @@ impl PinnedQueryResultsWidget {
                 changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                     ui,
                     &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                    &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                     "Query results are cached. The widget refreshes after this many seconds unless you click Refresh.",
                 );
 
@@ -255,7 +261,10 @@ impl PinnedQueryResultsWidget {
 
     fn maybe_refresh(&mut self, ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>) {
         self.update_interval();
-        if self.cache.should_refresh() {
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+            self.refresh(ctx);
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only && self.cache.should_refresh() {
             self.refresh(ctx);
         }
     }
@@ -375,6 +384,7 @@ impl Widget for PinnedQueryResultsWidget {
             self.cfg = cfg;
             self.update_interval();
             self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/process_list.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/process_list.rs
index fff254af..69c447e4 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/process_list.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/process_list.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ fn default_refresh_interval() -> f32 {
 pub struct ProcessesConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_limit")]
     pub limit: usize,
 }
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ impl Default for ProcessesConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             limit: default_limit(),
         }
     }
@@ -35,11 +38,15 @@ impl Default for ProcessesConfig {
 
 pub struct ProcessesWidget {
     cfg: ProcessesConfig,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl ProcessesWidget {
     pub fn new(cfg: ProcessesConfig) -> Self {
-        Self { cfg }
+        Self {
+            cfg,
+            refresh_pending: false,
+        }
     }
 
     pub fn settings_ui(
@@ -59,6 +66,7 @@ impl ProcessesWidget {
             changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "Process enumeration is cached. The widget will skip refreshing until this many seconds have passed. Use Refresh to update immediately.",
             );
             changed
@@ -105,8 +113,13 @@ impl Widget for ProcessesWidget {
         ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>,
         _activation: WidgetActivation,
     ) -> Option<WidgetAction> {
-        ctx.data_cache
-            .maybe_refresh_processes(ctx.plugins, self.refresh_interval());
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            ctx.data_cache.refresh_processes(ctx.plugins);
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only {
+            ctx.data_cache
+                .maybe_refresh_processes(ctx.plugins, self.refresh_interval());
+        }
         let snapshot = ctx.data_cache.snapshot();
 
         if let Some(err) = &snapshot.process_error {
@@ -153,6 +166,7 @@ impl Widget for ProcessesWidget {
     fn on_config_updated(&mut self, settings: &serde_json::Value) {
         if let Ok(cfg) = serde_json::from_value::<ProcessesConfig>(settings.clone()) {
             self.cfg = cfg;
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/query_list.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/query_list.rs
index a1c5c1da..ab234541 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/query_list.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/query_list.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ fn default_show_desc() -> bool {
 pub struct QueryListConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_ms")]
     pub refresh_ms: u64,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_count")]
     pub count: usize,
     #[serde(default = "default_show_desc")]
@@ -36,6 +38,7 @@ impl Default for QueryListConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_ms: default_refresh_ms(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             count: default_count(),
             show_desc: true,
             query: String::new(),
@@ -47,6 +50,7 @@ pub struct QueryListWidget {
     cfg: QueryListConfig,
     cache: TimedCache<Vec<Action>>,
     last_query: String,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl QueryListWidget {
@@ -57,6 +61,7 @@ impl QueryListWidget {
             cfg,
             cache: TimedCache::new(Vec::new(), interval),
             last_query,
+            refresh_pending: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -82,6 +87,7 @@ impl QueryListWidget {
             changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut refresh_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "Results are cached between refreshes.",
             );
             cfg.refresh_ms = (refresh_secs * 1000.0) as u64;
@@ -108,9 +114,12 @@ impl QueryListWidget {
         self.cache.set_interval(self.refresh_interval());
         if self.last_query != self.cfg.query {
             self.last_query = self.cfg.query.clone();
-            self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
-        if self.cache.should_refresh() {
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+            self.refresh(ctx);
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only && self.cache.should_refresh() {
             self.refresh(ctx);
         }
     }
@@ -173,6 +182,7 @@ impl Widget for QueryListWidget {
             self.cfg = cfg;
             self.cache.set_interval(self.refresh_interval());
             self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/system_actions.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/system_actions.rs
index 5f666849..abbbdb17 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/system_actions.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/system_actions.rs
@@ -16,12 +16,15 @@ fn default_refresh_interval() -> f32 {
 pub struct SystemConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
 }
 
 impl Default for SystemConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -30,6 +33,7 @@ pub struct SystemWidget {
     cfg: SystemConfig,
     cache: TimedCache<Vec<Action>>,
     error: Option<String>,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl SystemWidget {
@@ -39,6 +43,7 @@ impl SystemWidget {
             cfg,
             cache: TimedCache::new(Vec::new(), interval),
             error: None,
+            refresh_pending: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -51,6 +56,7 @@ impl SystemWidget {
             refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "System actions are cached. The widget will skip refreshing until this many seconds have passed. Use Refresh to update immediately.",
             )
         })
@@ -73,7 +79,10 @@ impl SystemWidget {
 
     fn maybe_refresh(&mut self, ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>) {
         self.update_interval();
-        if self.cache.should_refresh() {
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+            self.refresh(ctx);
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only && self.cache.should_refresh() {
             self.refresh(ctx);
         }
     }
@@ -128,6 +137,7 @@ impl Widget for SystemWidget {
             self.cfg = cfg;
             self.update_interval();
             self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/system_status.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/system_status.rs
index 3248c618..46af2ee4 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/system_status.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/system_status.rs
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ fn default_true() -> bool {
 pub struct SystemStatusConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_true")]
     pub show_cpu: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_true")]
@@ -37,6 +39,7 @@ impl Default for SystemStatusConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             show_cpu: true,
             show_memory: true,
             show_disk: true,
@@ -49,11 +52,15 @@ impl Default for SystemStatusConfig {
 
 pub struct SystemStatusWidget {
     cfg: SystemStatusConfig,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl SystemStatusWidget {
     pub fn new(cfg: SystemStatusConfig) -> Self {
-        Self { cfg }
+        Self {
+            cfg,
+            refresh_pending: false,
+        }
     }
 
     pub fn settings_ui(
@@ -66,6 +73,7 @@ impl SystemStatusWidget {
             changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "System stats are cached between refreshes.",
             );
             ui.separator();
@@ -110,8 +118,13 @@ impl Widget for SystemStatusWidget {
         ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>,
         _activation: WidgetActivation,
     ) -> Option<WidgetAction> {
-        ctx.data_cache
-            .maybe_refresh_system_status(self.refresh_interval());
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            ctx.data_cache.refresh_system_status();
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only {
+            ctx.data_cache
+                .maybe_refresh_system_status(self.refresh_interval());
+        }
         let snapshot = ctx.data_cache.snapshot();
         let Some(status) = snapshot.system_status.as_ref() else {
             ui.label("System data unavailable.");
@@ -154,6 +167,7 @@ impl Widget for SystemStatusWidget {
     fn on_config_updated(&mut self, settings: &serde_json::Value) {
         if let Ok(cfg) = serde_json::from_value::<SystemStatusConfig>(settings.clone()) {
             self.cfg = cfg;
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/window_list.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/window_list.rs
index 5760a10a..3bccf7f9 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/window_list.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/window_list.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ fn default_refresh_interval() -> f32 {
 pub struct WindowsConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_limit")]
     pub limit: usize,
 }
@@ -28,6 +30,7 @@ impl Default for WindowsConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             limit: default_limit(),
         }
     }
@@ -37,6 +40,7 @@ pub struct WindowsWidget {
     cfg: WindowsConfig,
     cache: TimedCache<Vec<Action>>,
     error: Option<String>,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl WindowsWidget {
@@ -46,6 +50,7 @@ impl WindowsWidget {
             cfg,
             cache: TimedCache::new(Vec::new(), interval),
             error: None,
+            refresh_pending: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -66,6 +71,7 @@ impl WindowsWidget {
             changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "Window enumeration is cached. The widget will skip refreshing until this many seconds have passed. Use Refresh to update immediately.",
             );
             changed
@@ -89,7 +95,10 @@ impl WindowsWidget {
 
     fn maybe_refresh(&mut self, ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>) {
         self.update_interval();
-        if self.cache.should_refresh() {
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+            self.refresh(ctx);
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only && self.cache.should_refresh() {
             self.refresh(ctx);
         }
     }
@@ -183,6 +192,7 @@ impl Widget for WindowsWidget {
             self.cfg = cfg;
             self.update_interval();
             self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/dashboard/widgets/windows_overview.rs b/src/dashboard/widgets/windows_overview.rs
index 19c9c029..a9b5fdbc 100644
--- a/src/dashboard/widgets/windows_overview.rs
+++ b/src/dashboard/widgets/windows_overview.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ fn default_true() -> bool {
 pub struct WindowsOverviewConfig {
     #[serde(default = "default_refresh_interval")]
     pub refresh_interval_secs: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub manual_refresh_only: bool,
     #[serde(default = "default_limit")]
     pub limit: usize,
     #[serde(default = "default_true")]
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ impl Default for WindowsOverviewConfig {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             refresh_interval_secs: default_refresh_interval(),
+            manual_refresh_only: false,
             limit: default_limit(),
             show_close: true,
         }
@@ -44,6 +47,7 @@ pub struct WindowsOverviewWidget {
     cfg: WindowsOverviewConfig,
     cache: TimedCache<Vec<Action>>,
     error: Option<String>,
+    refresh_pending: bool,
 }
 
 impl WindowsOverviewWidget {
@@ -53,6 +57,7 @@ impl WindowsOverviewWidget {
             cfg,
             cache: TimedCache::new(Vec::new(), interval),
             error: None,
+            refresh_pending: false,
         }
     }
 
@@ -74,6 +79,7 @@ impl WindowsOverviewWidget {
             changed |= refresh_interval_setting(
                 ui,
                 &mut cfg.refresh_interval_secs,
+                &mut cfg.manual_refresh_only,
                 "Window enumeration is cached. The widget will skip refreshing until this many seconds have passed. Use Refresh to update immediately.",
             );
             changed
@@ -97,7 +103,10 @@ impl WindowsOverviewWidget {
 
     fn maybe_refresh(&mut self, ctx: &DashboardContext<'_>) {
         self.update_interval();
-        if self.cache.should_refresh() {
+        if self.refresh_pending {
+            self.refresh_pending = false;
+            self.refresh(ctx);
+        } else if !self.cfg.manual_refresh_only && self.cache.should_refresh() {
             self.refresh(ctx);
         }
     }
@@ -193,6 +202,7 @@ impl Widget for WindowsOverviewWidget {
             self.cfg = cfg;
             self.update_interval();
             self.cache.invalidate();
+            self.refresh_pending = true;
         }
     }