Windows 11 users discover controversial new design detail

Windows 11
(Image credit: Microsoft)

When Windows 11 was revealed last month, it seems fair to say users weren't blown away. Many feel the UI is a flat-out copy of macOS, and others are unhappy with design touches such as the Start menu being moved to the centre of the screen. And now, users have spotted another surprise detail – and it might just be the most sacrilegious yet.

Nobody wants to see the 'Blue Screen of Death', the error page that means something's really (really) wrong with your PC. But at 30 years old, the BSOD has reached an almost affectionate level of infamy, to the point that its shock departure from Windows 11 has users feeling a little, well, blue. Because what use is one of the best laptops for graphic design if it doesn't feature a blue screen telling you you've just lost all your work?

See more

As first spotted by The Verge, the famous Blue Screen of Death is now the Black Screen of Death (at least it's still the BSOD, eh?) – which, we have to say, sounds even more sinister. But seeing as the blue screen has been a symbol of catastrophe since the early 90s, we're a little sad to see it go. And it seems we're not alone. 

See more
See more

The Blue Screen of Death first appeared on Windows 3.0 in the early nineties. It's been a mainstay ever since, with the most major recent change being the addition of a sad face in 2012's Windows 8 (because what could be more comforting when you've just lost hours of work than a sad emoticon?).

Blue Screen of Death

An early Blue Screen of Death (Image credit: Microsoft)

While Microsoft itself hasn't acknowledged the update in its official Windows 11 release notes, it's made its way into the first Insider Preview for beta users. Time will tell whether Microsoft opts to go back to blue in future releases, but for now, it appears to be the end of an error (sorry). If you'd rather never see a BSOD of either the black or blue variety, check out today's best Mac deals below.

Read more:

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Daniel Piper
Senior News Editor

Daniel Piper is Creative Bloq’s Senior News Editor. As the brand’s Apple authority, he covers all things Mac, iPhone, iPad and the rest. He also reports on the worlds of design, branding and tech. Daniel joined Future in 2020 (an eventful year, to say the least) after working in copywriting and digital marketing with brands including ITV, NBC, Channel 4 and more. Outside of Future, Daniel is a global poetry slam champion and has performed at festivals including Latitude, Bestival and more. He is the author of Arbitrary and Unnecessary: The Selected Works of Daniel Piper (Selected by Daniel Piper).