---
title: "Microsoft Recommends Rebooting Your Computer 15 Times as Blue Screen of Death Strikes Worldwide"
description: "As the world is still reeling from a massive IT outage triggered by an antivirus update, Microsoft recommends rebooting up to 15 times."
date: "2024-07-19"
modified: "2024-07-19"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/microsoft-recommends-rebooting-blue-screen"
categories:
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "microsoft"
  - "the digest"
  - "windows"
---

# Microsoft Recommends Rebooting Your Computer 15 Times as Blue Screen of Death Strikes Worldwide

![As the world is still reeling from a massive IT outage triggered by an antivirus update, Microsoft recommends rebooting up to 15 times.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/microsoft-recommends-rebooting-blue-screen.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Microsoft \</em\>*

## Off and On Again

As the world is still reeling from a massive IT outage triggered by a faulty security software update by CrowdStrike that forced Windows machines to crash, Microsoft is trying to pick up the pieces.

Worse yet, the bug needs to be addressed *in person* by IT professionals.

And on top of all the chaos the outage has caused already, those professionals will need to be patient as they quite literally try to [turn it off and then back on again](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2F1rFmyQmY>) — over and over.

"We have received feedback from customers that several reboots (as many as 15 have been reported) may be required, but overall feedback is that reboots are an effective troubleshooting step at this stage," Microsoft wrote in an [update](<https://azure.status.microsoft/en-gb/status>).

Really? 15 times? Depending on how ancient the Windows machine in question is, that could take an eternity.

## Global Reboot

The bug has wreaked havoc on numerous industries, including hospitals, banks and airports. Airlines have [canceled thousands of flights](<https://www.travelandleisure.com/thousands-of-flights-canceled-around-the-world-following-it-outage-8680701>) worldwide, with passengers across the world [getting stranded](<https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/travel/tech-outage-us-airlines-ground-stops.html>).

An entire TV network in Australia [wasn't able to broadcast](<https://x.com/davidgrayrhodes/status/1814192421921534187>) due to the outage.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is advising experts to delete a specific file to stop Windows machines from experiencing a "blue screen of death," a critical error screen that indicates the entire system has crashed.

"We can confirm the affected update has been pulled by CrowdStrike," Microsoft wrote in its update. "Customers that are continuing to experience issues should reach out to CrowdStrike for additional assistance."

While it sounds like a simple fix, rebooting may prove difficult for some cloud-based servers, as [*The Verge* points out](<https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/19/24201717/windows-bsod-crowdstrike-outage-issue>).

Of course, it's deeply ironic that cybersecurity software designed to stop hacks caused such a cascading global disaster.

Thanks to its deep integration into Windows computers, Falcon has plenty of tools at its disposal to ward off attacks. But those same privileges also mean that when something goes wrong, it can take entire systems down with it, as [*The Conversation* explains](<https://theconversation.com/what-is-crowdstrike-falcon-and-what-does-it-do-is-my-computer-safe-235123>) — a "worst-case scenario."

Meanwhile, CrowdStrike shares [slid more than 15 percent](<https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/07/19/crowdstrike-stock-tanks-15-set-for-worst-day-since-2022/>) in early trading Friday, its worst loss since 2022.

**More on Microsoft:** *[Microsoft Lays Off 1,500 Workers, Blames "AI Wave"](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/microsoft-layoffs-blaming-ai-wave>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)