Even those who may not regularly engage with personal computers are likely familiar with the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This emblematic error screen has been a staple of the Windows operating system since its inception, albeit in a form that resembled something out of The Matrix in its early days. Encountering the BSOD is rarely a pleasant experience—especially for someone like Bill Gates unveiling a new Windows version—signifying a system crash that necessitates a restart. However, when you next encounter this screen, it may look quite different.
Microsoft recently unveiled a redesign of the BSOD in a post on the Windows Insider blog. The Windows Insider program allows software testers to preview new features before they are released to the general public. Alongside a host of other updates, the new BSOD is described by Microsoft as “more streamlined” and better aligned with the design principles of Windows 11, while still providing the essential technical information users have come to expect.
Interestingly, the revamped BSOD will not even be blue. During testing phases, it has appeared green, but it is set to transition to black upon its public release—proving that the acronym still holds its ground. The text displayed on the screen has also undergone a transformation. The familiar frowny-face emoticon that has characterized the BSOD since Windows 8 has been removed. Instead, users will see a straightforward message: “Your device ran into a problem, and needs to restart,” accompanied by a percentage indicating the progress of the restart. At the bottom of the screen, users will find the stop code and details about what failed.
This redesign is not the first time Microsoft has altered the BSOD. A comprehensive timeline by Martin Nobel chronicles the evolution of this error screen, beginning with its original “Matrix-esque” appearance in Windows 1.0, through the various iterations that have defined the user experience in the 90s and 2000s, leading up to the current design introduced with Windows 8 in 2012. The color of the BSOD has fluctuated over the years, with Microsoft experimenting with black versions in Windows NT, Windows 8, Windows 10, and even earlier builds of Windows 11. For those averse to change, there remains a possibility that Microsoft could revert to blue in future updates.
How to try out Windows’ new Blue Screen of Death
While encountering a BSOD is not an ideal scenario, those eager to experience the new error screen can do so by enrolling their PC in the Windows Insider program. This program allows users to test new versions of Windows ahead of the general public, albeit with the inherent risk of bugs and other issues. It is advisable to back up any important data before proceeding with enrollment.
The new BSOD is being rolled out to the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels, excluding the Release Preview Channel. To access the updated screen, users will need to join one of these three channels. For those looking to minimize risks, the Beta channel is recommended, as it features builds that have undergone preliminary testing, meaning many issues may have already been identified and resolved. While not entirely risk-free, it offers a more balanced experience compared to the Dev channel, which introduces the latest features that may not have been thoroughly vetted.
