How to Appear Busy While Using a Computer

Last Updated: February 10, 2023

For people in school, at work or doing some "homework" using a computer on a daily/hourly basis, this wikiHow explains how you can look productive while not actually doing anything or just procrastinating without letting anyone know. If you have the inclination to look busy, but be doing nothing work-related, read on from step number one below.

Steps

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid228331-v4-728px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Alt-tab can also be useful here.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid228331-v4-728px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Intersperse work with downtime by working for a few moments followed by IMing, Facebooking, Googling, or whatever it is you feel like doing. This way you can relax and do your job, albeit slowly, at the same time.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid228331-v4-728px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It looks like work, and takes a good amount of typing to do. It's a perfect cover, but won't impress your boss if you're being paid to do tasks.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-4.jpg\/aid228331-v4-728px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

That way no one can see what you're doing. Do a lot of typing that looks productive.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid228331-v4-728px-Appear-Busy-While-Using-a-Computer-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Make sure that even if you aren't doing much work, have something that looks like work open, such as an end of quarter PowerPoint or something of the sort.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I look productive while doing absolutely nothing?

Jean

Community Answer

Put on a long article with small text and just stare at it, changing it once in a while so it looks like you're reading it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 164
Question

What do I do if I have hemorrhoids?

Community Answer

Get yourself a medicated cream and a doughnut pillow to sit on.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 35 Helpful 77
Question

What happens if I get caught?

Community Answer

It depends on who catches you and what you were supposed to be doing. You might get in trouble, or they might not care at all.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 42 Helpful 95

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

If you are at work, a library, or any other public place, it may be a good idea to strategically place open books, folders, or papers on and around your desk or table. Be sure to turn the pages once in a while, or pretend to read them, to increase believability.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
When somebody tells you something, don't answer immediately and say, 'Shh, I'm trying to work!" Can't you see I'm busy? I can't focus both at you and at what I'm doing now!'

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
In Windows, hitting the Windows and the D key simultaneously will take you to your Desktop instantly.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

You might get caught, be alert at all times.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Don't click out of something fast, that will draw a teacher or professor's attention. Just calmly click into another page or always go to Yahoo.com or Google!

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Don't play Solitaire/Minesweeper/any other silly game if you want to appear busy. Being caught doing something as trivial as that only shows how bored you really are.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Don't appear to be too interested, that is a sign that you're not doing work.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Computer
Time
Skills in covering up

Log in

How to Appear Busy While Using a Computer

Steps

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories