Microsoft overhauls the dreaded Blue Screen of Death – here's what's new

The appearance of the Blue Screen of Death in Windows is never a good thing. But Microsoft is aiming to at least make the screen look better when it does appear.

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In a change currently rolling out to Windows 11 insiders, BSODs (or unexpected restarts, as Microsoft calls them) will appear simpler and more streamlined. The screens may display the same technical information as always, but with a refreshed design.

Refreshed design

“We’re previewing a new, more streamlined UI for unexpected restarts, which better aligns with Windows 11 design principles and supports our goal of getting users back into productivity as quickly as possible,” Microsoft said in an announcement about the latest Windows 11 insider build.

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BSODs are triggered in response to a fatal system error or crash, often due to a hardware or driver conflict. Windows can’t recover from this type of error, causing your computer to reboot to clean up after itself. The typical BSOD tells you that your PC ran into a problem, often identifies the source of the conflict, and provides a QR code with details on how to troubleshoot the issue. There’s even a frowning face as a sign that Windows itself is unhappy.

New color

The new design jettisons the frowning face and QR code, as well as the familiar blue color. Based on analysis from The Verge, the screen takes on a more black color, which you might typically see when Windows is being updated. The screen being previewed by Windows insiders is painted green. We’ll have to see which color eventually wins out.

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Microsoft has been on a fashion kick lately, intent on repainting its various screens with a simpler and more unified look and feel. The company is even overhauling its sign-in screens with its Fluent Design aesthetic, giving them a more streamlined and uniform appearance.

Rolling out

Most of the design changes are rolling out to Windows insiders using Windows 11 version 24H2 on the Beta, Dev, and Canary Channels. Microsoft hasn’t revealed when these will reach the production version of Windows 11. Some of them may trickle out over several months; others may not surface until Microsoft officially launches Windows 11 25H2 later in the year.