Microsoft Retires Blue Screen of Death After 40 Years, Introduces Sleek Black Screen in Windows 11 Update
In a move that marks the end of an era, Microsoft is officially retiring the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), replacing it with a redesigned black error screen as part of its upcoming Windows 11 version 24H2 update. Introduced back in 1985, the BSOD became a universally recognised symbol of system crashes—its electric blue screen and confusing codes instilling dread in generations of PC users.
The new black screen aligns with Windows 11's sleek and minimalist interface, offering a more modern look that Microsoft says will improve readability. Unlike its predecessor, the new screen will no longer display the familiar sad-face emoji or QR code. Instead, it will present key technical information in a simplified layout to help IT professionals troubleshoot more efficiently.
Microsoft confirmed the change through a blog post, noting, 'The updated UI improves readability and aligns better with Windows 11 design principles, while preserving the technical information on the screen for when it is needed.'
This isn't just a cosmetic change. The overhaul is part of Microsoft's broader Windows Resiliency Initiative, a program aimed at reducing system downtime and improving recovery processes. The initiative comes in the wake of a 2024 incident when a faulty update to CrowdStrike's Falcon sensor triggered a widespread BSOD-related outage, disrupting systems across multiple industries.
In addition to the new error screen, Microsoft is also rolling out Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), a feature designed to automatically deploy fixes through Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). QMR is enabled by default on Windows 11 Home devices, while IT administrators can activate it manually on Pro and Enterprise versions.
Microsoft acknowledges that unexpected restarts can sometimes lead devices into Windows RE, resulting in delays and added workload for support teams. With QMR, users can resume their work more quickly, often without needing manual IT intervention.
The redesigned black screen and QMR features will start rolling out to users later this summer with the release of Windows 11 version 24H2. Microsoft also plans to introduce more customisation tools for IT teams later this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Pics: Bill Gates, Girlfriend Paula Hurd At Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez Wedding
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his girlfriend Paula Hurd made a striking appearance together at a wedding welcome party for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Bill Gates and Paula Hurd were photographed hand in hand at the exclusive pre-wedding event, which was held in a historic cloister next to the iconic Madonna dell'Orto church in Venice. Mr Gates, 61, opted for a classic black suit paired with a white shirt, while Ms Hurd looked elegant in a black off-shoulder dress, which she adorned with a sleek pearl necklace and subtle earrings. Invitados a la boda Lauren y Jeff Bezos - Rania de Jordania - Bill Gates y Paula Hurd #bezoswedding — Eric Cartman (@Cartman_Freedom) June 27, 2025 The two were accompanied by other high-profile guests, including Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble, Tom Brady, Orlando Bloom, the Kardashian sisters and Gayle King. Jeff Bezos got married to Lauren Sanchez on Saturday at a star-studded ceremony on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The celebrations are expected to end on June 28 with a grand farewell party, likely at the Arsenale, a former naval site which is now famous for its art exhibitions. According to a Reuters report, Mr Bezos's wedding is estimated to cost around $55 million, making it one of the most expensive weddings of the year. Reports state that Lauren Sanchez has prepared 27 outfits to wear for her festivities. Jeff Bezos had been staying at the luxury 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge. Bill Gates and Paula Hurd also reportedly attended Mr Bezos's engagement party in 2023, which was held on the Amazon founder's $500 million superyacht on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Mr Gates confirmed his relationship in February this year, referring to Paula Hurd as his "serious girlfriend", four years after his divorce from Melinda Gates. He said, "I'm lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We're having fun. Going to the Olympics and lots of great things." The couple was first seen together in 2022 at the Laver Cup, then at the Australian Open in 2023, before making their red carpet debut in 2024.
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Satya Nadella Urges AI to Serve Real Needs as Microsoft Faces Job Cuts and Energy Concerns
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine the tech industry, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is calling for a more grounded and socially responsible approach. Speaking at Y Combinator's AI Startup School, Nadella emphasized that AI must go beyond flashy demonstrations and instead focus on solving real-world problems that impact everyday lives. 'The real test of AI,' Nadella said, 'is whether it can help solve everyday problems — like making healthcare, education, and paperwork faster and more efficient.' This call for pragmatism arrives at a pivotal moment for Microsoft. The tech giant recently laid off more than 6,000 employees, citing AI-driven organisational restructuring. While the company maintains that the changes are essential to thrive in an increasingly competitive and evolving marketplace, the human cost of such transformations cannot be ignored. In his address, Nadella didn't shy away from the deeper implications of the AI boom — particularly its environmental impact. Highlighting the substantial energy demands of large-scale AI systems, he warned that the industry must be ready to justify its consumption. 'If you're going to use energy, you better have social permission to use it,' he said. 'We just can't consume energy unless we are creating social and economic value.' According to a 2023 report by Clean View Energy, Microsoft consumed nearly 24 terawatt-hours of electricity in a single year — an amount comparable to that used by a small nation. With AI infrastructure now a central pillar of its business strategy, the pressure is on Microsoft to ensure that this power usage yields tangible benefits. Nadella offered the American healthcare system as a key example of where AI could make a real difference. He pointed to hospital discharges as a process that could be vastly improved with AI-driven solutions, reducing delays, cutting costs, and streamlining administration. 'A simple thing like hospital discharge — if done with an AI model — can save time, money, and energy,' he noted. Despite this optimism, the transformation is not without its difficulties. The recent job cuts reflect broader corporate changes as Microsoft prioritizes AI and cloud capabilities. Sources now indicate that another round of layoffs could be on the horizon — this time affecting the Xbox gaming division — as the company closes out its financial year. If confirmed, this would mark the fourth major round of job reductions at Microsoft within just 18 months. The restructuring follows its massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 and a renewed focus on profitability, AI, and gaming. Nadella's message is clear: AI's future must be tied to meaningful, inclusive progress. For companies like Microsoft, the challenge lies in navigating the fine line between innovation and responsibility. As AI reshapes industries, the tech world must ensure its promises justify its costs — both human and environmental.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
OpenAI Taps Google's AI Chips in Strategic Shift Away from Nvidia Dependency
In a significant move within the AI landscape, OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed creator of ChatGPT, has reportedly begun utilizing Google's artificial intelligence chips. According to a recent report by Reuters, this development points to OpenAI's efforts to diversify its chip suppliers and reduce its dependency on Nvidia, which currently dominates the AI hardware market. OpenAI has historically been one of the largest buyers of Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs), using them extensively for both training its AI models and performing inference tasks — where the model applies learned data to generate outputs. However, as demand for computing power surges, OpenAI is now exploring alternatives. The Reuters report, citing a source familiar with the matter, claims that OpenAI has started using Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), marking a notable shift not only in its hardware strategy but also in its reliance on cloud services. Earlier this month, Reuters had already suggested that OpenAI was planning to leverage Google Cloud to help meet its growing computational needs. What makes this collaboration remarkable is the competitive context. Google and OpenAI are direct rivals in the AI field, both vying for leadership in generative AI and large language model development. Yet, this partnership demonstrates how shared interests in infrastructure efficiency and cost management can bridge even the most competitive divides. According to The Information, this is OpenAI's first major deployment of non-Nvidia chips, indicating a deliberate effort to explore alternative computing platforms. By leasing Google's TPUs through Google Cloud, OpenAI is reportedly looking to reduce inference costs — a crucial factor as AI services like ChatGPT continue to scale. The move is also part of a broader trend at Google. Historically, the tech giant has reserved its proprietary TPUs mainly for internal projects. However, it appears Google is now actively expanding external access to these chips in a bid to grow its cloud business. This strategy has reportedly attracted several high-profile clients, including Apple and AI startups like Anthropic and Safe Superintelligence — both founded by former OpenAI employees and seen as emerging competitors. A Google Cloud employee told The Information that OpenAI is not being offered Google's latest-generation TPUs, suggesting the company is balancing business expansion with competitive caution. Still, the fact that OpenAI is now a customer illustrates Google's ambition to grow its end-to-end AI ecosystem — from hardware and software to cloud services — even if that means partnering with direct rivals. Neither Google nor OpenAI has issued official statements confirming the deal. Yet, the development signals an evolving AI infrastructure market where flexibility, cost-efficiency, and compute availability are becoming more strategic than ever. As the race to power the future of AI intensifies, such cross-competitive collaborations could become more commonplace — redefining how major players navigate both cooperation and competition in the era of intelligent computing.
