After using it for nearly 40 years, Microsoft is saying goodbye to the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) — the error screen that appeared when a Windows computer crashed. This blue screen, which frustrated millions of users, will now be replaced with a new black screen as part of Microsoft’s Windows Resiliency Initiative.
The new black error screen is not just about a color change. Microsoft says it has redesigned the interface to make it simpler, easier to read, and better matched to Windows 11’s modern design. It no longer includes the sad-face emoji or the QR code that users saw earlier. The idea is to reduce the disruption caused by system crashes and help users get back to work faster.
This update comes after a major issue last year when a Crowdstrike-related problem caused over 8 million Windows devices around the world to crash and show the blue screen. That incident pushed Microsoft to improve the stability and recovery options in Windows.
To handle these types of problems better in the future, Microsoft is adding a feature called Quick Machine Recovery (QMR). This will help fix affected computers automatically through the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE), so that IT teams don’t have to waste time fixing each device manually.
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The new black error screen and all these updates will be available in Windows 11 version 24H2, launching later this summer.
