Windows’ iconic Blue Screen of Death gets a bold new look

In April 2025, Microsoft announced that the Blue Screen of Death would become the Black Screen of Death. At least the abbreviation (BSOD) still fits. Microsoft said this change would be introduced in summer 2025.

The new BSOD will start with a simplified user interface that’s intended to make troubleshooting easier. There will also be a new option for Windows 11 24H2 called “Quick Machine Recovery.” This is intended to help repair computers that can no longer boot up.

Microsoft will presumably deliver the new, black BSOD as part of a cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2 or newer. Windows 11 23H2 will not receive the new BSOD.

However, there’s growing concern that the new BSOD could significantly confuse long-time Windows users. This is because at first glance it looks nearly identical to the Windows reboot screen.

Not only does the new BSOD have a black background, but it also leaves out the frowning emoticon, the QR code, and the explanatory text. Instead, the new BSOD only briefly informs users that a problem has occurred and that Windows needs to be restarted.

This close resemblance, combined with the BSOD’s brief display time of around two seconds, means users might mistake a serious error for a routine restart, especially if they only catch a quick glimpse.

You might mistake the restart of the Windows PC for a normal reboot, especially after installing updates. The old Blue Screen of Death, with its prominent emoticon, didn’t cause this kind of confusion.