- Windows 11 has revamped the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a new streamlined design, potentially featuring a black screen instead of blue, aimed at improving user experience during system failures. The change is expected to roll out at one point during version 24H2, but it might also be a change for version 25H2.
Microsoft is updating the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) to match the design of Windows 11, and it appears that the company will switch the screen color from blue to black.
Starting with the release of Windows 11 build 26120.3653 (Beta) and build 26200.5516 (Dev), Microsoft has announced that it is testing a new design for the page that appears when a critical error occurs and the computer reboots automatically.
In this new design, Windows 11 is dropping the QR Code and frown face kaomoji and changing the page color to black.
The company also notes that it’s updating the page to better align with the “Windows 11 design principles and supports our goal of getting users back into productivity as fast as possible. We’ve simplified your experience while preserving the technical information on the screen.”
However, since this change is still part of the Windows Insider Program, the page appears with a green background. The black screen version can also be found in this latest preview, but it’s unclear if the company will adopt the black color.
The Blue Screen of Death has been part of the operating system for a long time, and while the company has changed the color to different tones, it always remained blue for the desktop version of the operating system.
It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time that Microsoft has tested a black screen. In 2021, the company tested a bugcheck error page with a dark background, but it was reverted back to the blue background, and this could be the case too.
Although the software giant is already working on Windows 11 25H2, it’s likely that this new design may ship through a cumulative update for version 24H2 in upcoming releases.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech (est. 2010). With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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