Yes. Fake Update is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.

How long does Fake Update take?

Good within five seconds of loading. We file it under "Instant" — full-screen system update screens that never finish.

Does Fake Update work on a phone?

Fake Update really wants a mouse and a wide window. It will load on a phone, but the experience is built for desktop.

Pixel Nostalgia

Fake Update

Full-screen system update screens that never finish

Visit fakeupdate.net More Pixel Nostalgia

fakeupdate.net

Instant · Best on desktop

Free, no sign-up · online since 2011

What Fake Update actually is

Pick an operating system and the page goes full screen with a convincing update display, stuck at some low percentage and warning you not to switch the computer off. Blue screens, macOS installers, Ubuntu boots and old Windows versions are all on the menu.

Why it is worth your time

Progress numbers creep upward just enough to look real, which is exactly what makes it work on a colleague's unattended laptop.

We built one too

Pranx Studio

Open harmless simulated screens for demos and good-natured jokes.

Open Pranx Studio

Common questions

Is Fake Update free?: Yes. Fake Update is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.
How long does Fake Update take?: Good within five seconds of loading. We file it under "Instant" — full-screen system update screens that never finish.
Does Fake Update work on a phone?: Fake Update really wants a mouse and a wide window. It will load on a phone, but the experience is built for desktop.
What kind of site is Fake Update?: We list it under Pixel Nostalgia — old software, running again, in a tab. Progress numbers creep upward just enough to look real, which is exactly what makes it work on a colleague's unattended laptop.

Keep going

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Pixel Nostalgia

Fake Update

Full-screen system update screens that never finish

Visit fakeupdate.net More Pixel Nostalgia

fakeupdate.net

Instant · Best on desktop

Free, no sign-up · online since 2011

What Fake Update actually is

Why it is worth your time

Progress numbers creep upward just enough to look real, which is exactly what makes it work on a colleague's unattended laptop.

We built one too

Pranx Studio

Open harmless simulated screens for demos and good-natured jokes.

Open Pranx Studio

Common questions

Is Fake Update free?: Yes. Fake Update is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.
How long does Fake Update take?: Good within five seconds of loading. We file it under "Instant" — full-screen system update screens that never finish.
Does Fake Update work on a phone?: Fake Update really wants a mouse and a wide window. It will load on a phone, but the experience is built for desktop.
What kind of site is Fake Update?: We list it under Pixel Nostalgia — old software, running again, in a tab. Progress numbers creep upward just enough to look real, which is exactly what makes it work on a colleague's unattended laptop.