Home>Tech
Did you get a Blue Screen of Death in the global outage? Try this.
ByAmanda Yeo on
Credit: Mateusz Slodkowski / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
Editor's note: Check out our oft-updated live blog for all new developments about the Microsoft/CrowdStrike outage
Windows computers around the world are being hit by the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) thanks to an outage caused by services provided by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The issue has impacted everyone from banks to airlines, with flights grounded, grocery carts abandoned, and productivity even lower than usual for a Friday.
Fortunately, CrowdStrike has since announced at 2:30 a.m. ET that it has identified the update causing the issue and rolled it back. The company also offered a workaround for anyone having problems:
Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
"Boot Windows into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment
"Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike directory
"Locate the file matching 'C-0000029*.sys', and delete it.
"Boot the host normally."
Of course, having to do this for every single computer in multiple companies across the globe is still likely to take some time.
"CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts," CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz said on X. "Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed."
Related Stories
- Microsoft outage updates: Crowdstrike issue still wreaking havoc despite fix
While there may be a workaround for individuals with a BSOD, it might take a while before the ripple effects subside globally. Countless services, such as airlines, banks, healthcare providers, and more are still struggling to get up-and-running. All indications are the outages won't completely stop for some time. Kurtz himself admitted as much in an interview with TODAY.
"It could be some time for some systems that just automatically won’t recover," he said.
Featured Video For You
What is CrowdStrike and why users are getting Windows blue screens
Recommended For You
CrowdStrike, Microsoft break silence on the Windows outage disrupting the world
The CrowdStrike CEO has apologized.
By Stan Schroeder
Microsoft releases easier CrowdStrike fix
Computers and services around the world are still impacted by the faulty CrowdStrike update.
By Matt Binder
Microsoft outage impacting flights globally. See the latest.
Very IRL consequences for the CrowdStrike outage.
By Shannon Connellan
Microsoft says EU rules made CrowdStrike outage possible
Macs do not have this problem.
By Stan Schroeder
Microsoft outage updates: Crowdstrike issue still wreaking havoc despite fix
A fitting end to the week.
By Tim Marcin and Amanda Yeo
Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 25
Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #410.
By Mashable Team
NYT Strands hints, answers for July 25
Every hint, nudge and outright answer you need to complete today's NYT Strands puzzle.
By Mashable Team
Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 25
Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to "Wordle" #1132.
By Mashable Team
Stephen Colbert brutally mocks Trump's running mate JD Vance
"He's kind of 'Handmaids Tale' curious."
By Sam Haysom
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 24
Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #409.
By Mashable Team
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!
- TECH
- SCIENCE
- LIFE
- SOCIAL GOOD
- ENTERTAINMENT
- BEST PRODUCTS
- DEALS
- About Mashable
- Contact Us
- We're Hiring
- Newsletters
- Sitemap
Mashable supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. Group Black's collective includes Essence, TheShadeRoom and Afro-Punk.
©2005–2024 Mashable, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All Rights Reserved.
Mashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission.
- About Ziff Davis
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Use
- Advertise
- Accessibility
- Do Not Sell My Personal Information