Microsoft adds QR codes to the Blue Screen of Death
Windows crashes are traditionally accompanied by the annoyingly hard-to-understand blue screen with information about the error that caused the crash, commonly known as the "Blue Screen of Death." Now, it seems Microsoft is finally updating the BSoD to make it a little more helpful to users.
A Reddit user posted an image of the new BSoD late last week, generated in a Windows 10 version identified by The Register as Insider Preview build 14316. Besides the standard notification that your PC "ran into a problem" and a short description of the issue, the BSoD now also contains a QR code users can hit up to learn more about the problem plaguing their PC.
You May Also Like
The QR code currently leads to Microsoft's page explaining possible causes of Blue Screen errors, but we reckon the feature might get updated to offer information about the specific error that caused the BSoD.
Microsoft last updated the Blue Screen of Death in Windows 8, adding the ASCII-style sad smiley (which, according to every user I ever spoke to, has made the BSoD more annoying), but this is the first time since Windows XP the company has done anything to make it more useful.
The new BSoD will likely be a part of the next major Windows 10 update called the Anniversary Update, which is slated to launch in late summer. It will bring a number of new features and tweaks, including support for biometric security in apps and Microsoft Edge, an improved Cortana, better Xbox compatibility and several important updates to Windows Ink.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Windows
Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.
