CrowdStrike outage Archives

Winsage

August 2, 2025

8 new features arriving with the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11

On August 12, 2025, Microsoft will roll out the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11, which includes significant security enhancements and new features. Key improvements in version 24H2 include: - A complete reset feature for Windows Recall. - Enhanced AI actions for Click to Do. - A redesigned Search settings page. - A new gamepad keyboard layout with PIN sign-in support. - The Reading Coach app available through the Microsoft Store, allowing users to utilize Click to Do while on a snapshot. - A new action for Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers called "Draft with Copilot in Word." - A new AI agent in the Settings app that improves the search experience using natural language. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature to minimize downtime from boot failures, enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users. - Upgraded Snap Layouts feature with inline descriptions. - Consolidation of "Search permissions" and "Searching Windows" into a single "Search" page. - Enhanced gamepad touch keyboard layout for quicker PIN sign-ins. - Replacement of the Blue Screen of Death with a new black error page that presents essential information. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed, with options for manual checks via Settings > Windows Update.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Windows 11 update changes critical warning that’s remained unchanged for 40 years

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) after nearly forty years, transitioning to a new error screen called the Black Screen of Death. The new screen will feature a black background, replacing the blue, and will provide clearer error messages, such as "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart." This change is part of a broader initiative to improve user experience during critical failures, including a significant reduction in reboot times to approximately two seconds. The redesign was influenced by the CrowdStrike outage and aims to enhance clarity and efficiency in troubleshooting. The rollout will begin with Windows Insiders and expand to millions of PCs globally.

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Microsoft’s dreaded ‘Blue Screen of Death’ is going away: Here’s what’s replacing it

Microsoft is revamping the "Blue Screen of Death" error message in Windows, replacing it with a "Black Screen of Death." This change is a response to the CrowdStrike outage from the previous year and will be implemented for current Windows 11 users later this summer. Additionally, Microsoft has officially discontinued Skype, which was announced in May following a previous announcement in February about its phase-out.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Microsoft’s ‘Blue Screen of Death’ Dies After 40 Years of Memes, Jokes, T-Shirts

Microsoft is replacing the blue screen of death, a critical error screen for Windows users since 1985, with a new black screen of death for Windows 11, version 24H2 devices later this summer. This change is part of Microsoft's Windows Resiliency Initiative, aimed at improving system resilience and security. The new black screen will provide essential information such as stop codes and faulty system drivers for easier diagnosis by IT administrators. The blue screen of death has become a pop-culture icon, inspiring memes, merchandise, and even a dedicated subreddit.

Winsage

June 27, 2025

Microsoft Officially Retires ‘Blue Screen of Death’ After 40 Years of Frowny-Faces

Microsoft is replacing the "blue screen of death" with a "black screen of death" for Windows 11, version 24H2, set to roll out this summer. The new screen will provide crucial information such as the stop code and faulty system driver to aid IT administrators in diagnosing issues more efficiently. This change is part of Microsoft's Windows Resiliency Initiative, aiming to reduce recovery time to two seconds after a PC crash. The transition was prompted by the CrowdStrike outage in 2024, which affected over 8 million devices.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

Windows killed the Blue Screen of Death

Windows has replaced the Blue Screen of Death with a new Black Screen of Death. This change marks a significant shift in error screens that began with Windows 1.0 in 1985. The update follows the CrowdStrike outage that affected 8.5 million Windows devices and led to the introduction of the Windows Resiliency Initiative, aimed at enhancing security and reducing disruptions from unexpected restarts. The new Black Screen of Death features a "simplified UI" and includes a quick machine recovery feature to help PCs regain functionality faster after unsuccessful restarts.

Winsage

March 13, 2025

WinRing0: Why Windows is flagging your PC monitoring and fan control apps as a threat

On Tuesday morning, PC gamers received unexpected alerts from Windows Defender regarding a tool called WinRing0, which raised concerns about potential security breaches. This issue affected various hardware monitoring applications, including Razer Synapse, SteelSeries Engine, and MSI Afterburner, leading to erratic computer behavior after the HackTool was quarantined. Developers noted that WinRing0, while useful for accessing hardware data, has been flagged due to security vulnerabilities. Microsoft is under pressure to tighten software access to low-level hardware, prompting scrutiny of WinRing0. Some developers labeled the detection as a "false positive," arguing that their applications are not malicious. Timothy Sun's company developed a proprietary SMBus driver to avoid WinRing0, but this transition required significant resources. WinRing0 has been patched, but challenges remain in getting a new version signed by Microsoft. iBuyPower has expressed interest in pursuing a signed update for WinRing0, while companies like Razer and SteelSeries are working to eliminate reliance on it in their software updates.

Winsage

December 4, 2024

Microsoft Announces Security Update with Windows Resiliency Initiative

Microsoft has launched the Windows Resiliency Initiative to enhance the security and reliability of its operating system in response to a significant CrowdStrike outage that affected over 8 million Windows PCs and servers, resulting in losses estimated at .4 billion. The initiative focuses on four key areas: learning from past incidents, reducing administrative privileges, implementing stronger controls for apps and drivers, and improving identity protection. Key components include: 1. Quick Machine Recovery: Allows IT administrators to remotely diagnose and repair devices, reducing downtime. 2. Administrative Protection: Users will operate under standard accounts by default to limit unauthorized access. 3. Smart App Control: Ensures only verified applications can run on Windows PCs. 4. Advanced Identity Protection: Enhancements include stronger password policies and multi-factor authentication. Additional improvements involve collaboration with security vendors, new encryption features, and transitioning components from C++ to Rust for better code security. The initiative aims to restore user confidence and prevent future cyber threats.

Tech Optimizer

September 20, 2024

Microsoft reveals CrowdStrike outage could have a surprising long-term impact on everyday users

On July 27, Microsoft released a security report regarding the CrowdStrike crash, which was caused by a malfunctioning driver and affected millions of Windows devices. The incident has sparked controversy in the gaming community over kernel-level anti-cheat programs, which are seen as potential threats to privacy and security. Despite the risks, game developers are reluctant to abandon these solutions due to challenges in preventing cheating. The CrowdStrike incident may prompt a shift away from kernel-level access, leading Microsoft to explore alternative methods, such as AI-driven "Human Behavior Detection" techniques, to address cheating without requiring kernel-level permissions. The effectiveness of AI solutions as alternatives remains uncertain, but AI is expected to play a significant role in Microsoft's research following the outage. Kernel-level software has previously caused Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) crashes, highlighting the need for safer alternatives that do not pose critical system failure risks.

Winsage

August 7, 2024

‘Criminals are preying on Windows users’: Software subject of CISA, cybersecurity warnings

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added a vulnerability in Microsoft’s Windows 10, identified as CVE-2018-0824, to its Known Exploited Vulnerability Catalog. This vulnerability allows for privilege escalation and remote code execution. CISA recommends that users stop using affected software or apply necessary patches. A Chinese hacking group has reportedly exploited this vulnerability to compromise a Taiwanese government research center. Additionally, The Register reported that cybercriminals are targeting Windows users with a keylogger called SnakeKeylogger, which steals credentials and captures screenshots. SnakeKeylogger, marketed on Russian crime forums, has been a significant threat since 2020 and is spread through malicious email attachments. Recent alerts follow a "Crowdstrike outage" in July that affected Windows devices due to a faulty software update.