Update screen......fake or legit?

Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

Is there a chance you could provide a screenshot or a photo of the screen? legitimate Windows Updates can be like the images below:

Windows can legitimately display full‑screen blue or similar “Updates are in progress / Don’t turn off your computer” messages during feature or quality updates, and during recovery/repair operations. Those are part of normal Windows Update behavior.

However, scammers and some malware also use fake blue or update‑style screens to lock the browser or desktop and try to scare into calling a phone number, paying money, or granting remote access. Key differences:

• Real Windows update/repair screens:
  • Never show a phone number to call.
  • Do not ask to contact “support” or pay to complete the update.
  • Typically appear during startup/shutdown, not just while browsing a website.
• Fake/scam screens:
  • Often appear while visiting a website or clicking a link.
  • May go full screen, play sounds, or block normal browser controls.
  • May disable Task Manager or rapidly reopen pop‑ups.
  • Often tell to call a “Microsoft” or “Windows Defender” support number.

If the “update” screen appeared in a browser tab or window (for example after visiting a site) and especially if it showed a phone number or demanded contact/payment, it matches a tech support scam pattern. In that case:

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
2. Open Task Manager.
3. End all browser processes (for example Microsoft Edge, Chrome, etc.) to close the fake page.

If no software was installed, no remote access was granted, and no instructions from the scammers were followed, the device is usually not compromised; it was just a malicious web page. If any software was installed or remote access was allowed, follow Microsoft’s malware guidance, including scanning for malware and, if necessary, resetting or reinstalling Windows and restoring files from clean backups.

Real Windows update screens that get stuck and make the PC unusable can also occur if there is corruption or hardware issues, but that is separate from scam/fake screens. Those do not ask to call anyone.

References:

• Protect yourself from tech support scams
• Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses
• Troubleshoot problems with detecting and removing malware
• Microsoft Defender Scam or Do I have a virus on my computer - Microsoft Q&A
• Windows defender scam - Microsoft Q&A