Microsoft Says Goodbye to the Blue Screen of Death
Microsoft is retiring its iconic Blue Screen of Death and replacing it with a black crash screen in Windows 11, promising a more modern look but raising questions for IT pros. Here’s what you need to know.
By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
July 2, 2025
Suddenly, your screen turns blue, your stomach drops, and your heart pounds.
The dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
If you’ve worked in tech for more than five minutes, you’ve seen it and probably learned to fear it.
Here's a Cool Tip: Microsoft is retiring the Blue Screen of Death.
Microsoft is pulling the plug on this iconic error screen, swapping its familiar blue for a modern black.
Is this change cosmetic or a sign of something deeper?