Sep. 15, 2011 at 12:25 PM ET
If you've used a Windows-based operating system for a prolonged time, odds are that you've encountered the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) at some point. It's the last thing you see before your computer crashes and it's a terrible sight.
But don't worry! Microsoft is easing the pain by making the BSoD strangely cute in Windows 8. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
TechCrunch has called attention to the amusing change — which appears to have been discovered by someone who tried out the Windows 8 Developer Preview — and provided the screenshot seen on the right.
Yes, there really is a frowning emoticon on the new Blue Screen of Death. A cute, frowning emoticon. On one of the most annoying error screens in computing.
Related stories:
- Windows 8 does what Apple doesn't
- Microsoft previews 'bold' new Windows 8
- Hands-on preview of new Windows 8 features
Rosa Golijan writes about tech here and there. She's obsessed with Twitter and loves to be liked on Facebook. Oh, and she can be found on Google+, too.