Got a Blue Screen of Death? Windows 11 Will Now Run a Memory Scan for You

February 24, 2026 | by Luke Ford | Blog
Illustration of a laptop with a blue screen displaying a cartoon dead-face symbol, representing a system crash or computer failure.

Article Summary 

  • The new memory scan feature in Windows 11 can automatically prompt users to run a scan after a crash: When a Blue Screen or Black Screen of Death appears, Windows may prompt users to run a BSOD memory scan right away to find out what is wrong.
  • Memory problems are among the main reasons systems crash: Windows RAM errors, unstable processes, and RAM failure are among the issues that can cause BSODs. The new feature helps users find these problems faster and makes diagnostics easier by giving some users a direct prompt instead of requiring them to search for the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
  • The scan results tell you what to do next: Windows explains whether the issue appears related to memory problems or if another cause is more likely, helping users decide what to check next.
  • You can stop BSODs from happening: To prevent Windows 11 BSODs from recurring, keep your system up to date, maintain it, keep it cool, set it up safely, and do not overclock it.
  • Getting help from a professional is still important: My Computer Works can find and fix the root cause of Windows 11 crashing repeatedly, even after scans, or when deeper hardware conflicts cause the problem.

One minute you are happily typing, and the next your computer freezes, turns a bright blue, and displays an error message that is hard to understand.  

After some fast Googling, it turns out it’s a Blue Screen of Death. Unfortunately, BSODs have a real knack for showing up at the worst possible time. They are like a surprise guest who kicks down the door, eats your snacks, and then falls asleep in your living room. It is always inconvenient and frustrating. 

Fortunately, Microsoft is improving the unwelcome BSOD experiences. For now, this new Windows 11 memory scan prompt is only available on some systems, so not every user will see it yet. For some, Windows 11 can now offer to scan your memory after a crash using the new Windows 11 memory scan, giving you clearer answers and fewer questions about why you are experiencing a blue screen of death

Plus, since computer problems are rarely fun, My Computer Works is always ready to help when the digital storm clouds gather, if the feature you learn more about in this blog doesn’t help enough.

What Is the New BSOD Memory Scan Feature?

Most people have seen the blue screen of death at least once, and they probably gasped, groaned, or said, “Not today…please,” because we know we have.

Fortunately, this could now be a far less stressful situation for most of us. This is because when Windows 11 restarts after one of these problems, whether it is the classic blue screen or the more serious black screen of death, it will now ask you (depending) to run a BSOD memory scan. 

But what is a BSOD memory scan, and there is a catch. You’ll need to use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. In the past, users rarely opened the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. This was either because they did not know it was there or because the logs looked confusing. 

Windows now shows a clearer, easy-to-understand memory check prompt after the system restarts from a crash. This stops troubleshooting from turning into a scavenger hunt and aligns with changes that make it easier to fix Windows 11 BSOD troubleshooting problems. 

Why Microsoft Is Introducing This Change

Microsoft knew that many users needed help, and this new feature helps fill gaps because while tools were available, they were not easy to find or use for the average user. It makes diagnostics easier and works with existing Windows 11 hardware diagnostic tools, giving both regular users and technicians a better starting point. 

Users no longer have to wonder whether there was a RAM failure, and they can rule out memory issues much more easily, making it simpler to narrow down whether something else caused the shutdown. Unfortunately, memory problems are among the most common causes of a BSOD, and they can occur at any time. 

Windows may shut down immediately to protect your data if RAM becomes unstable, too hot, damaged, or corrupted. These issues often fall under Windows RAM errors, which are usually the hidden cause behind most (but not all) BSOD crashes. 

In situations like these, most people just restart the computer and hope that things go back to normal, but this often puts off fixing the real problem. That’s why giving users an automatic memory scan right after a crash makes sense, as it brings the real issue to the surface rather than letting it remain hidden.

How the Automatic Memory Scan Works

The automatic memory scan is simple. You will get a message to start the scan after your system restarts. You can accept right away, or you can wait until you are done with what you are doing on the device. This prompt reduces the guesswork for users who receive the feature and makes running a memory scan much easier.

When you choose to continue, Windows restarts in a special testing mode that is not affected by any other programs running in the background. In this setting, Windows looks at your memory modules like a detective. It looks for damaged blocks, unstable addresses, or other signs that the RAM is failing, which can happen to Windows 11 devices as their components age. 

The results are not affected by background programs because the scan runs outside the main operating system. When it is done, the computer restarts and provides a clear summary of the results you can act on, either alone or with our help at My Computer Works. 

 [H2] Article Summary The new memory scan feature in Windows 11 can automatically prompt users to run a scan after a crash: When a Blue Screen or Black Screen of Death appears, Windows may prompt users to run a BSOD memory scan right away to find out what is wrong. Memory problems are among the main reasons systems crash: Windows RAM errors, unstable processes, and RAM failure are among the issues that can cause BSODs. The new feature helps users find these problems faster and makes diagnostics easier by giving some users a direct prompt instead of requiring them to search for the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. The scan results tell you what to do next: Windows explains whether the issue appears related to memory problems or if another cause is more likely, helping users decide what to check next. You can stop BSODs from happening: To prevent Windows 11 BSODs from recurring, keep your system up to date, maintain it, keep it cool, set it up safely, and do not overclock it. Getting help from a professional is still important: My Computer Works can find and fix the root cause of Windows 11 crashing repeatedly, even after scans, or when deeper hardware conflicts cause the problem. [H1] Got a Blue Screen of Death? Windows 11 Will Now Run a Memory Scan for You One minute you are happily typing, and the next your computer freezes, turns a bright blue, and displays an error message that is hard to understand. After some fast Googling, it turns out it's a Blue Screen of Death. Unfortunately, BSODs have a real knack for showing up at the worst possible time. They are like a surprise guest who kicks down the door, eats your snacks, and then falls asleep in your living room. It is always inconvenient and frustrating. Fortunately, Microsoft is improving the unwelcome BSOD experiences. For now, this new Windows 11 memory scan prompt is only available on some systems, so not every user will see it yet. For some, Windows 11 can now offer to scan your memory after a crash using the new Windows 11 memory scan, giving you clearer answers and fewer questions about why you are experiencing a blue screen of death. Plus, since computer problems are rarely fun, My Computer Works is always ready to help when the digital storm clouds gather, if the feature you learn more about in this blog doesn’t help enough. What Is the New BSOD Memory Scan Feature? Most people have seen the blue screen of death at least once, and they probably gasped, groaned, or said, "Not today…please," because we know we have. Fortunately, this could now be a far less stressful situation for most of us. This is because when Windows 11 restarts after one of these problems, whether it is the classic blue screen or the more serious black screen of death, it will now ask you (depending) to run a BSOD memory scan. But what is a BSOD memory scan, and there is a catch. You’ll need to use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. In the past, users rarely opened the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. This was either because they did not know it was there or because the logs looked confusing. Windows now shows a clearer, easy-to-understand memory check prompt after the system restarts from a crash. This stops troubleshooting from turning into a scavenger hunt and aligns with changes that make it easier to fix Windows 11 BSOD troubleshooting problems. Why Microsoft Is Introducing This Change Microsoft knew that many users needed help, and this new feature helps fill gaps because while tools were available, they were not easy to find or use for the average user. It makes diagnostics easier and works with existing Windows 11 hardware diagnostic tools, giving both regular users and technicians a better starting point. Users no longer have to wonder whether there was a RAM failure, and they can rule out memory issues much more easily, making it simpler to narrow down whether something else caused the shutdown. Unfortunately, memory problems are among the most common causes of a BSOD, and they can occur at any time. Windows may shut down immediately to protect your data if RAM becomes unstable, too hot, damaged, or corrupted. These issues often fall under Windows RAM errors, which are usually the hidden cause behind most (but not all) BSOD crashes. In situations like these, most people just restart the computer and hope that things go back to normal, but this often puts off fixing the real problem. That’s why giving users an automatic memory scan right after a crash makes sense, as it brings the real issue to the surface rather than letting it remain hidden. How the Automatic Memory Scan Works The automatic memory scan is simple. You will get a message to start the scan after your system restarts. You can accept right away, or you can wait until you are done with what you are doing on the device. This prompt reduces the guesswork for users who receive the feature and makes running a memory scan much easier. When you choose to continue, Windows restarts in a special testing mode that is not affected by any other programs running in the background. In this setting, Windows looks at your memory modules like a detective. It looks for damaged blocks, unstable addresses, or other signs that the RAM is failing, which can happen to Windows 11 devices as their components age. The results are not affected by background programs because the scan runs outside the main operating system. When it is done, the computer restarts and provides a clear summary of the results you can act on, either alone or with our help at My Computer Works. Alt text: Close-up of computer processor chips and motherboard components with blue lighting highlighting the circuitry. What Windows Will Do With the Scan Results from the Windows 11 BSOD Update When the results come in, Windows acts as a guide, breaking down what happened and what you should do next. In many cases, it will decide the crash was a temporary issue, like a driver problem or a software conflict. If everything checks out based on system error logs, Windows simply logs the event and lets you continue using your PC normally. If nothing appears wrong with your memory, Windows may still suggest updating drivers, repairing files, or undoing a recent change based on other system diagnostics. When the problem is hardware, Windows gives more direct advice. It may flag a memory module that isn't working or is failing and recommend replacing it to prevent Blue Screen of Death errors from coming back. In some situations, it will warn that continued use could lead to data loss. And if a Black Screen of Death scan of Windows occurs, Windows treats it with even more urgency in system logs. However, even with clear results, many people still ask a technician to look things over. Automated tools don’t always capture every detail, especially when crashes repeat, when there is more than one problem at the same time, or when Windows 11 crashing starts happening regularly. Can You Prevent the Blue Screen of Death From Happening? So, ‘Can you prevent the Blue Screen of Death?’ Windows has been asked this many times over the years. The honest answer is that it is possible to reduce BSODs, but not eliminate them entirely. Here’s how: Regular updates, such as drivers and firmware, help to prevent a BSOD in Windows 11 systems from becoming unstable. Cleaning out dust and ensuring good airflow protects the parts inside. Strong security tools stop malware from interfering with memory processes. Regular maintenance, such as checking the health of your storage and clearing digital junk, keeps everything running smoothly. If your system keeps crashing in Windows 11, especially after you have done everything you can to protect it, you may need more in-depth diagnostics and the help of an IT professional. Final Thoughts On Running a Windows Memory Scan This new feature is one of the better ways to identify the cause behind a BSOD on Windows 11. Although it doesn’t fix every problem, it does give users a clearer picture of what happened. Still, there are limits to what even the best automated tools can do. If you are not sure what a BSOD memory scan is showing, if your computer keeps crashing, or if warnings keep popping up that make you feel uneasy, getting help from an expert is the best option. A technician from My Computer Works can tell you whether bad hardware or software conflicts are causing problems like a BSOD. Get in contact with us today!

 

What Windows Will Do With the Scan Results from the Windows 11 BSOD Update

When the results come in, Windows acts as a guide, breaking down what happened and what you should do next. In many cases, it will decide the crash was a temporary issue, like a driver problem or a software conflict. If everything checks out based on system error logs, Windows simply logs the event and lets you continue using your PC normally.

If nothing appears wrong with your memory, Windows may still suggest updating drivers, repairing files, or undoing a recent change based on other system diagnostics. 

When the problem is hardware, Windows gives more direct advice. It may flag a memory module that isn’t working or is failing and recommend replacing it to prevent Blue Screen of Death errors from coming back. In some situations, it will warn that continued use could lead to data loss. And if a Black Screen of Death scan of Windows occurs, Windows treats it with even more urgency in system logs.

However, even with clear results, many people still ask a technician to look things over. Automated tools don’t always capture every detail, especially when crashes repeat, when there is more than one problem at the same time, or when Windows 11 crashing starts happening regularly.

Can You Prevent the Blue Screen of Death From Happening?

So, ‘Can you prevent the Blue Screen of Death?’ Windows has been asked this many times over the years. The honest answer is that it is possible to reduce BSODs, but not eliminate them entirely. Here’s how: 

  • Regular updates, such as drivers and firmware, help to prevent a BSOD in Windows 11 systems from becoming unstable.
  • Cleaning out dust and ensuring good airflow protects the parts inside.
  • Strong security tools stop malware from interfering with memory processes.
  • Regular maintenance, such as checking the health of your storage and clearing digital junk, keeps everything running smoothly.

If your system keeps crashing in Windows 11, especially after you have done everything you can to protect it, you may need more in-depth diagnostics and the help of an IT professional.

Final Thoughts On Running a Windows Memory Scan

This new feature is one of the better ways to identify the cause behind a BSOD on Windows 11. Although it doesn’t fix every problem, it does give users a clearer picture of what happened. Still, there are limits to what even the best automated tools can do. 

If you are not sure what a BSOD memory scan is showing, if your computer keeps crashing, or if warnings keep popping up that make you feel uneasy, getting help from an expert is the best option. A technician from My Computer Works can tell you whether bad hardware or software conflicts are causing problems like a BSOD. Get in contact with us today!

 

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