Black Screen of Death coming to Windows 11 as Microsoft revamps crash experience

• 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 some point during version 24H2, but it may also be introduced in version 25H2.

UPDATED 6/27/2025: Microsoft is updating the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) in Windows 11 with a cleaner, more minimal look, and it’s going black.

Previously tested in the Windows Insider Program, the company has now officially confirmed that it will begin rolling out the Black Screen of Death (BSoD) as the new default error page starting sometime in Summer 2025. This change is part of a broader design refresh aimed at aligning with Windows 11’s visual language and making error recovery feel less jarring for users.

The Blue Screen is turning black

The new screen design first appeared in build 26120.3653 (Beta Channel) and build 26200.5516 (Dev Channel), where Microsoft began experimenting with a black background for the crash screen, alongside removing legacy elements, such as the QR code and the frown face kaomoji. Instead, the screen now displays only essential technical information.

“We’ve simplified your experience while preserving the technical information on the screen,” Microsoft explains. “This update aligns with Windows 11 design principles and supports our goal of getting users back into productivity as fast as possible.”

During testing, insiders noticed both green and black versions of the error page. The green variant remains the default in Insider builds to distinguish pre-release errors, but the company has now confirmed that the black version will ship to the public later this year.

Not the first attempt, but this time, it’s official

Microsoft originally tested a black BSoD in 2021 during early Windows 11 development but reverted to blue before the final release. This time, however, the company says the Black Screen of Death will officially replace the blue version for consumers, making it the first major visual change to this screen in decades.

Despite various versions with different fonts, added QR codes, and emoji faces, the BSoD has historically remained blue since its introduction. The new black background marks a significant break from tradition.

Part of a larger update

The Black Screen of Death is expected to roll out alongside the new Quick Machine Recovery feature, which utilizes Microsoft’s cloud intelligence to help restore a computer that cannot boot. While previously tied to version 24H2, the new error screen may ultimately be included in version 25H2, depending on the development timelines.

Update June 27, 2025: This content has been updated with new information, and it’s been revised to ensure accuracy.