How to Manually Trigger a BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) in Windows 10

The Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) is a state in Windows that occurs when a critical system error arises. Although it usually appears unexpectedly, there are ways to trigger it manually, which can be useful for testing or debugging purposes. Here’s how to do it on Windows 10.

Warning

Before proceeding, please be aware that forcing a BSoD can result in data loss and potential system risks. This method should only be used on test devices or virtual machines. Avoid performing this action on a primary work computer or a system with important data.

Step 1: Enable Keyboard Shortcut for BSoD

Windows 10 has a hidden feature that allows users to trigger a BSoD using a keyboard shortcut. To enable this feature, you need to modify the system registry.

  1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter.
  2. Navigate to the following registry key: 
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\kbdhid\Parameters
  3. In the right pane, right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  4. Name the new value CrashOnCtrlScroll.
  5. Double-click CrashOnCtrlScroll and set its value to 1. Click OK to save.

Step 2: Trigger the Blue Screen Using the Keyboard

After making the registry changes, you can trigger a BSoD with the following keyboard shortcut:

  1. Hold down the Ctrl key on the right side of your keyboard.
  2. While holding Ctrl, press the Scroll Lock key twice (usually located near the top of the keyboard).

Your system will encounter a critical error and display the Blue Screen of Death.

How to Revert the Settings

To disable this feature, go back to the Registry Editor, delete the CrashOnCtrlScroll entry, or set its value to 0. This will prevent accidentally triggering a BSoD from the keyboard.