Fake Update Screen
An endless update screen for the classic office prank, in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows XP, macOS, Ubuntu, Chrome OS and Android styles. Set how long it takes, or choose Never finishes, and go full screen.
Tip: double-click the screen to go full screen. The toolbar and mouse pointer are hidden in full screen. Esc exits.
Choose a system
How the fake update works
The percentage climbs steadily for the duration you choose. When it reaches 100% the screen says Restarting for a few seconds, and then the update begins again from zero. It never ends, which is the joke. Start at lets you begin part-way through, so the screen looks as if it has been running for a while.
The Never finishes box is crueller. Progress starts quickly and slows down more and more, so it crawls towards 99% and stays there.
Setting it up
- Open this page on the target computer while its owner is away.
- Choose the style that matches the machine: Windows 11 or 10 for a PC, macOS for a Mac, Chrome OS for a Chromebook, Android for a phone or tablet.
- Type the update time in minutes. Ten minutes is long enough to be annoying and short enough that people watch it.
- Press Fullscreen and leave.
- When they give up and ask for help, press Esc.
The styles
Each system also has its own page, linked in the row above, if you want a direct link to one style.
| Style | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Black screen, spinner, "You are 7% there. Please keep your computer on." |
| Windows 10 | Blue screen, spinner, "Working on updates 7% complete." |
| Windows XP | Classic blue XP screen with "Installing Windows Updates... 7%" |
| macOS | Black screen with a thin progress bar |
| Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04 | Dark purple start-up screen with a row of five loading dots |
| Chrome OS | "Firmware updating" with a spinner and a warning |
| Android | "Installing system update" with a progress bar |
| Generic | Plain blue, black or light update screens |
Why it is harmless
No update is installed and no setting is changed. The page shows a spinner and a number, nothing more. The Windows XP, macOS, Ubuntu, Chrome OS and Android styles show the system name as plain text unless a logo image has been added to the site.
The only risk is the victim's reaction. Someone who believes it may hold the power button, which can lose unsaved work in other programs. Save their open documents first if you can, stay within earshot, and do not use it on a shared or work-critical machine.
More screen pranks
- Fake blue screen of death for a sudden shock instead of a slow one.
- Hacker simulator to make it look as if the computer is being broken into.
- Matrix rain for a screen that is just mysterious.
Fake update screen FAQ
How do I close the fake update screen?
Press Esc to exit full screen, then close the browser tab. If you used the browser's full-screen mode, press F11.
Does the fake update install anything?
No. It is an animation on a web page. Nothing is downloaded, installed or changed.
Can I make the update last forever?
Yes. Choose Never finishes and the progress slows down as it approaches 99% and never completes. With the timed options, a new update starts each time one reaches 100%.
Does it work on a Chromebook or Mac?
Yes. It runs in any modern browser. Choose the Chrome OS style on a Chromebook and the macOS style on a Mac.
More tools
- Fake Blue ScreenA harmless crash screen with your own stop code.
- Broken ScreenA fake cracked display. Click to add more cracks.
- No Signal ScreenTV colour bars, static or blue with your own message.
- Radar ScreenA rotating radar sweep with flashing contacts.
- Hacker TyperThe classic: mash any key, get lines of kernel code.
- Hacker SimulatorA full fake hacking dashboard with one click.
- Matrix RainFalling green code with colour, speed and size controls.
- White ScreenPure white for light, tracing and pixel checks.