Microsoft has announced the end of its legendary blue screen of death as it shifts to a new black version for Windows 11. The change will begin with the 24H2 update launching this summer and will replace the screen users see after an unexpected restart. Microsoft says the update will offer a smoother and faster recovery process.

The blue screen has been part of Windows since the 1990s and was often seen when a system crashed. In its place Microsoft will now show a black screen that matches the sleek design of Windows 11. The company says it is aiming to cut restart recovery time to as little as two seconds for most users.

Microsoft Aims To Reduce Stress During System Crashes

In a blog post Microsoft said this change is part of a broader plan to make restarts less disruptive. The goal is to help users recover from problems quickly without the stress that came with the traditional blue screen. The company also plans to update other parts of the interface for a more modern experience.

“This change is part of a larger continued effort to reduce disruption in the event of an unexpected restart,” Microsoft wrote.

The change comes months after a global incident in July 2024 when a CrowdStrike update triggered blue screens across many systems. That event reminded users how disruptive the error screen could be. Now Microsoft hopes the new black screen will mark a more positive and efficient way to handle system errors.