Windows 11 now features Black Screen of Death for system crash alerts: Everything you should know

Microsoft has officially started phasing out the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error message in favour of a new Black Screen of Death, starting today. The updated screen is now rolling out to users on the Windows 11 Release Preview build, with a broader rollout expected over the coming weeks. Additionally, the tech giant has introduced new features, including Quick Machine Recovery, a Click-to-Do action called Practice Reading in Coach, and more.

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For decades, Windows 11 has used the BSOD to indicate critical system failures on machines, featuring a blue screen with a sad face emoji, a QR code, and an error message. However, the redesigned black interface will now display only a short message reading, “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with an error code at the bottom and a restart progress indicator in the centre.

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Microsoft says the redesign is part of its ongoing effort to improve the Windows interface and user readability. In its latest blog post, the company stated that the update “improves readability and aligns better with Windows 11 design principles, while preserving the technical information on the screen for when it is needed.”

For the unversed, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has experimented with a black error screen, a similar version in early Windows 11 builds in 2021. However, the newly launched change appears to be permanent.

In addition to the redesigned error screen, Microsoft is also introducing a new Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature. It is designed to help systems recover and boot more quickly after a failed or incomplete restart. Furthermore, the Practice Reading in Coach will let users select text on the screen and choose the feature to read it aloud. Users will now also be able to adjust text font, size, and spacing to read the text aloud.

Also read: Galaxy S24 Ultra & M36 5G – Flagship or Budget, Both at Jaw-Dropping Prices 

Microsoft Black Screen of Death rollout timeline

The updated Black Screen of Death and QMR features are expected to be available to all Windows 11 users in the coming months through a system update.

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Himani Jha

Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile