13 Download Screens That Took Hours to Finish
Here's a look back at some of the most painfully slow download screens that tested the patience of gamers, music lovers, and everyday computer users.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Waiting for downloads used to be a rite of passage in the early days of digital entertainment and software. From massive game patches to system updates that stretched into entire evenings, users had no choice but to be patient. These infamous download screens remind us how far technology has come in making waiting almost a thing of the past.
1. Windows 98 Updates
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In the late 1990s, downloading updates for Windows 98 could take hours on dial-up. The progress bar often inched forward at a snail’s pace, leaving users unsure if it was really moving. People often left their PCs on overnight just to complete an update.
2. AOL 5.0 Install
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America Online was infamous for its lengthy downloads and installations. The setup CDs promised an instant online connection, but the updates and patches often dragged on for hours. Many users would grab a snack, return later, and still find the bar crawling.
3. Napster Music Downloads
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At its peak, Napster let people download MP3s from peers, but speeds were painfully slow. A single three-minute song could take an entire afternoon to finish. Half the time, downloads froze at 99 percent, forcing users to start all over again.
4. The Sims Expansion Packs
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When players bought The Sims: Hot Date or Unleashed, installation and download times were legendary. The bar filled with quirky text messages, but it barely moved in real-time. Gamers often stared at their screens longer than they actually played.
5. Half-Life 2 via Steam (2004)
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When Valve launched Half-Life 2 on Steam, the service was still new and unstable. Players who purchased the disc still had to wait for massive online downloads. Many gamers left their PCs running overnight, only to come back and find they still weren’t finished.
6. Windows XP Service Pack 2
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This was one of Microsoft’s largest updates at the time, and it took ages to install. The download file alone was hundreds of megabytes, which on dial-up felt unbearable. Many users recall staring at the “time remaining” counter as it wildly jumped from minutes to hours.
7. Diablo II Patches
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Blizzard’s Diablo II had frequent patches that could take ages to download. Even with a decent connection, the updating process was notoriously long. Gamers joked that by the time the patch finished, demons in the game were already bored.
8. iTunes Music Store Songs (2003)
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Apple changed the music industry with iTunes, but early broadband connections weren’t always fast. Downloading a full album could take several hours, especially with network congestion. Fans were eager but frustrated as they watched progress bars crawl across their screens.
9. RuneScape Client Updates
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This classic browser-based MMO required frequent client updates. Players often waited so long that by the time the download finished, they lost motivation to play. Many veterans remember killing time in forums while the game loaded at a glacial pace.
10. PlayStation 3 Firmware Updates
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Sony’s PS3 became famous for long firmware updates that were mandatory before playing. Gamers who bought a new title often spent hours updating instead of playing. Entire evenings disappeared into the dreaded “system update in progress” screen.
11. World of Warcraft Patches
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Every expansion brought enormous patches that tested internet patience. Players would log in ready for adventure, only to be hit with downloads that lasted all night. Blizzard’s download manager became as familiar as the game itself.
12. Netflix App Downloads (Early Days)
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When Netflix began offering digital downloads in the mid-2000s, the process was clunky. Downloading a single episode could stretch on for hours depending on connection speed. Instead of instant entertainment, many users got long waits and buffering screens.
13. Grand Theft Auto V (PC, 2015)
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When GTA V finally arrived on PC, the download size was over 60 GB. Even with broadband, it often took an entire day to finish. Players joked that by the time the download ended, they had already lived a crime-filled life waiting.