Windows crash Archives

Winsage

July 12, 2025

This is what a Windows crash looks like now

Microsoft is set to unveil a redesigned Black Screen of Death (BSOD) for Windows 11 users enrolled in the Release Preview, transitioning from the traditional blue screen. This update will roll out to all Windows 11 users in the coming weeks. The new black BSOD is the first major change since the sad face icon was introduced in Windows 8, eliminating the previous frowning face and QR code for a more straightforward interface. It will still provide essential information, including the stop code and identification of the problematic system driver, to assist users and IT administrators in diagnosing system crashes. This change is confirmed as permanent and is part of a broader enhancement to Windows 11, which includes the Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature aimed at expediting recovery from boot failures.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Software engineer taught Microsoft Copilot to analyze Windows crash dumps

Software engineer Sven Scharmentke, known as Svnscha, has developed an open-source tool called mcp-windbg for crash dump analysis, available on GitHub. This AI-driven tool automates the execution of WinDBG/CDB commands, improving productivity in debugging tasks. Svnscha highlights the challenges faced during development, particularly in creating the interaction layer with Microsoft's Command-Line Console Debugger (CDB). The tool enables natural language crash analysis, contextual debugging, and root cause identification, benefiting software engineers and support teams. However, users are advised that a foundational understanding of debugging principles is necessary to effectively utilize the tool, which serves as a "simple Python wrapper around CDB."

Winsage

March 24, 2025

4 reasons to use multiple partitions on a Windows PC

Windows users can enhance their PCs by partitioning their drives, which allows for multiple operating systems and improves data management and security. Creating a dedicated data partition protects personal files during Windows reinstallation, while a smaller Windows partition simplifies recovery after crashes. Partitioning enables users to run different versions of Windows or Linux in a dual-boot setup. For sensitive information, creating an encrypted partition with tools like BitLocker ensures data security. The practice of partitioning remains relevant, offering benefits such as better organization and security, though it may also present challenges like vulnerability to malware and inefficient space use.

Winsage

July 25, 2024

CrowdStrike Reveals New Details About What Caused Windows Outage

- CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor product update caused mass blue screen of death on Windows computers worldwide. - The issue was caused by a bug in the way CrowdStrike delivers updates, specifically a Rapid Response Content update with an undetected error. - CrowdStrike is implementing a staggered deployment strategy for Rapid Response Content updates and improving monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future. - Security experts suggest that a staged rollout procedure for updates could have prevented the issue and emphasize the importance of thorough QA procedures for mission-critical software.