:(
Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you.
0% complete
For more information about this issue and possible fixes, search online for the stop code below.
If you call a support person, give them this info:
Stop code: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
Fake Blue Screen of Death
Quick answer
What is the Fake Blue Screen of Death?
A fake blue screen of death (BSOD) imitates the Windows stop error screen: the sad face, "Your PC ran into a problem", a stop code and a progress counter. It is purely visual: nothing crashes, and you exit with Esc. Choose Windows 10, Windows 11, the new black screen or classic XP.
Key features
- Windows 10, 11, black and classic XP styles
- Real stop codes such as CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
- Climbing percentage and QR-style block
- Fullscreen with hidden cursor
Why use it
- The most convincing computer prank there is
- Accurate prop for films and tutorials
- Completely harmless
Built and tested by Whitson Rao
About the Fake Blue Screen of Death
A convincing Windows "Blue Screen of Death" for pranks, videos and training. It shows the sad :( face, the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" message, a percentage that climbs in uneven jumps, a QR block and a stop code such as CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED. Pick the Windows 10 or 11 blue, the newer black crash screen, or the classic blue text screen from Windows XP and 7, then go fullscreen; the mouse pointer hides automatically. Nothing on your computer changes: it is a web page, and Esc ends it. For more fake system screens, try the Fake Windows 10 Update or the Hacked Screen Simulator.
How to use the Fake Blue Screen of Death
Choose a style: Windows 10, Windows 11, the new black screen, or classic XP/7.
Pick a stop code and how long the counter takes to reach 100%.
Double-tap the screen or press F for fullscreen. The cursor hides after a moment.
Press Esc, or move the mouse and click the close button, to exit.
Common uses
Office pranks
Leave it on a colleague's screen for a few seconds of panic, then reveal the joke.
Videos and streams
Show a crash on camera without crashing a real computer.
IT training
Show what a stop error looks like and what the stop code means.
Film and theatre props
A believable crash screen for a scene, on any device.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Blue Screen of Death?
It is the full-screen error Windows shows when it hits a problem it cannot recover from, such as a failing driver or memory fault. It names a stop code, saves crash information and restarts.
What do the stop codes mean?
Each names the kind of failure: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED means a core system process stopped, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL usually points to a driver, and MEMORY_MANAGEMENT often means faulty RAM. Here they are only text.
Can this harm my computer?
No. It is an image in a browser tab. It does not crash Windows, change settings or install anything.
Why is the new crash screen black?
In 2025 Microsoft replaced the blue screen in Windows 11 with a simpler black one. Choose "Black (new)" for that look.
Is this affiliated with Microsoft?
No. This page is an independent, entertainment-only recreation and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft. Product names belong to their respective owners.
How do I exit the fake screen?
Press Esc, or move the mouse or tap the screen to reveal the close button. Closing the tab also works.