Free fake update screen
A fake Windows update that never seems to end.
The dots chase each other, the percentage races to 12%, sits on 37% for ten minutes, then creeps. Pick Windows 11 or 10, how long it takes, or stuck at 99% forever, and press Start. The mouse disappears; Esc brings you back.
Press F11 too on Windows for the browser's own full screen. Not affiliated with Microsoft; nothing on your computer changes.
Like the real thing, it races to start, sits on the same number for a long while, then creeps.
What it's good for.
A computer that's updating is a computer nobody expects you to use. Leave it on when you step away from your desk and nobody reads your screen, or on a shared or kiosk screen you want left alone.
It's a prop, too: a believable update screen for a video, a photo or a stage, without waiting for a real one. And it's a classic prank: open it on a friend's laptop, press Start, and see how long they wait before they ask.
A real update looks the same, so here's how to tell.
Scammers use fake update screens too: a web page that goes full screen and asks you to run a “fix” or call a number. A real Windows update never asks you to type, paste or download anything, and never shows a phone number. If an update screen does, it's a web page: press Esc, or close the browser with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and Task Manager.
Made by Forgot.
Forgot is a team calendar that shows everyone's vacations, public holidays and on-call on one board, and warns you when someone's away on a release date. Nothing fake about it.
Try it free for 14 daysMore screens for your screen: a fake video call in Zoom, Teams or Google Meet, a fake busy calendar, a spreadsheet that works by itself, and the guide to keeping your Teams status green.
Questions
How do I make a fake Windows update screen?
Pick Windows 11 or Windows 10, choose how long it takes to reach 100% (or stuck at 99%), and press Start full screen. It fills the screen with the spinning dots and the crawling percentage until you press Esc or click.
What does the Windows 11 update screen say?
On a big update, Windows 11 shows “Working on updates” with a percentage, “Don't turn off your PC. This will take a while.”, and “Your PC will restart several times.” over a dark blue screen with spinning dots. Windows 10 says “Working on updates 30% complete. Don't turn off your computer.” on bright blue.
Does it change anything on my computer?
No. It's a web page that draws a picture full screen. Nothing installs, nothing updates, nothing restarts. Press Esc or click and you're back in your browser.
How do I get out of it?
Press Esc or click anywhere. If the browser's own full screen is on too (F11 on Windows), press F11 or Esc again.
Is it free?
Yes, with no sign-up and no ads on the screen. It's made by Forgot, a team calendar for vacations and release dates, as a free tool.