Fake Windows XP Update Screen
The blue Windows XP screen that says "Installing Windows Updates", with a percentage that climbs as slowly as you like. A nostalgic prank that makes a modern PC look twenty years older.
Tip: double-click the screen to go full screen. The toolbar and mouse pointer are hidden in full screen. Esc exits.
Choose a system
What this screen copies
Windows XP, released in 2001, used the same blue screen for logging on, shutting down and installing updates: a bright blue panel between two dark blue bands, a soft highlight in the top-left corner, and the Windows XP logo to the right of centre. During updates a line of white text appeared under the logo, "Installing Windows Updates", with a warning not to turn off or unplug the computer.
This page reproduces that screen and adds a percentage so there is something to watch.
How to set it up
- Enter the update time in minutes and a Start at percentage.
- Press Fullscreen and leave the computer.
- When it reaches 100% it starts again from zero. Tick Never finishes to have it stall at 99% instead.
- Press Esc to end it.
Prank ideas
- The downgrade. Put it on a colleague's new laptop and tell them IT "rolled everything back to XP".
- The time machine. Leave it on the family computer for anyone old enough to remember it.
- The retro desk. Run it on a second monitor as decoration.
For a screen that fits today's computers, use the Windows 11 or Windows 10 update screens. For the full XP-era experience, pair this with the classic text style of the fake blue screen of death.
Fake Windows XP screen FAQ
Does this install Windows XP?
No. It is a picture of the XP update screen shown in your browser. Nothing on the computer changes.
Can I set how long the XP update takes?
Yes. Enter any time from 1 to 600 minutes and a starting percentage, or tick Never finishes so it stalls at 99%.
How do I close it?
Press Esc to exit full screen, then close the tab.
More tools
- Fake Windows 11 UpdateThe black Windows 11 update screen with a rising percentage.
- Fake Windows 10 UpdateThe blue "Working on updates" screen.
- Fake Mac UpdateBlack screen, logo and a slow progress bar.
- Fake Chrome OS UpdateThe "Firmware updating" screen for Chromebooks.
- Ubuntu 22.04 Fake UpdateThe purple Ubuntu screen with its row of loading dots.
- Ubuntu 24.04 Fake UpdateThe Ubuntu 24.04 version of the purple loading screen.
- Fake Android UpdateA system update screen for phones and tablets.
- Hacker TyperThe classic: mash any key, get lines of kernel code.