After nearly 40 years, Microsoft is finally saying goodbye to the well-known and feared Blue Screen of Death (BSOD),  the screen that would pop up when your computer crashes. In its place, a new Black Screen of Death will appear in the next major Windows 11 update (version 24H2), coming later this summer.

The BSOD first appeared in 1985 and became a symbol of system failure for Windows users. Its bright blue background and confusing error codes caused stress for many. In later years, Microsoft added a sad face emoji to the screen to make it more user-friendly.

But now, Microsoft says the new black screen will be simpler, cleaner, and easier to read. It fits better with the modern look of Windows 11 and will no longer have the sad face emoji or the QR code. Instead, it will show only the most important technical details to help IT professionals fix the issue faster.

This change isn’t just about looks. It’s part of Microsoft's larger plan called the Windows Resiliency Initiative, which aims to reduce how often systems crash and help users recover more quickly when they do. The company says the updated design will improve readability while still showing all the necessary information.

This update follows a major issue last year when a software bug in CrowdStrike’s cybersecurity tool caused Windows computers around the world to crash, making headlines and disrupting many businesses. Alongside the new black screen, Microsoft is also launching a new tool called Quick Machine Recovery (QMR).

If a computer crashes and gets stuck in recovery mode, QMR will allow Microsoft to automatically fix the problem and get the device working again, without needing help from IT staff. QMR will be turned on by default for Windows 11 Home users, and IT admins can choose to turn it on for Pro and Enterprise users. Microsoft also plans to offer more control and customization tools for IT teams later this year.