Microsoft is bringing back the blue BSOD on Windows 11

Laurent Giret

Microsoft, Windows 10, BSOD, Windows 10 PC

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Microsoft tried to do away with its infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows 11, with the new OS introducing a new Black Screen of Death that shows up to signal fatal system errors. As it turns out, the company has since changed its mind as the Blue Screen of Death made its comeback in the Windows 11 Insider build 22000.246, which is currently in testing with Windows Insiders (via Windows Central).

This new Windows 11 preview build was released last week on November 12, and the comeback of the Blue Screen of Death was mentioned in the long list of bug fixes. “We changed the screen color to blue when a device stops working or a stop error occurs as in previous versions of Windows,” the Windows Insider team explained.

Even though the BSOD is often a subject of mockery, it’s also part of the Windows legacy, whether Microsoft likes it or not. Windows users generally dislike change, Windows 11 did take some bold steps by introducing a redesigned Start Menu and Taskbar that received a polarized reception. The new Black Screen of Death isn’t a massive change, but maybe Microsoft had second thoughts about changing the color of something most Windows users are probably familiar with.

For now, the Blue Screen of Death is only visible for Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview ring, but it should make its way to non-Insiders very soon. Do you think Microsoft is right to switch back the Windows 11 BSOD to its familiar blue color? Let us know in the comments below.