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Resolving Blue Screen errors in

Windows
Windows 8.1

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Blue Screen errors (also sometimes called black screen

errors or STOP code errors) can occur if a serious problem
causes Windows to shut down or restart unexpectedly. You
might see a message that says, "Windows has been shut
down to prevent damage to your computer."

These errors can be caused by both hardware and

software issues. If you added new hardware to your PC
before the Blue Screen error, shut down your PC, remove
the hardware, and try restarting. If you're having trouble
restarting, you can start your PC in safe mode. For more
info, see Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode).

You can also try getting the latest updates with Windows
Update, help from other sources, or restoring Windows to
an earlier point in time.

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experience.

Get latest updates

In Windows 7

Click the Start button , click All Programs, and then

click Windows Update.

In Windows 8.1

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap

Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If
you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right
corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer
down, click Settings, and then click Change PC
settings.)

2. Tap or click Update and recovery, and then tap or

click Windows Update.

3. Tap or click Check now, and then wait while

Windows looks for the latest updates for your PC.

4. If Windows finds updates, tap or click Install

updates. You might be asked for an admin
password or to confirm your choice.

Read and accept the license terms, and then tap or click
Finish if the update requires Windows Update will tell you if
it successfully installed the updates.

Get help from other sources

If these solutions don't solve the problem, you can get help
from Microsoft Supportand the Microsoft community.
Microsoft Support offers technical help about different
versions of Windows. The Microsoft community pages in
theWindows forumoffer solutions from other people who
have experienced similar problems with their PCs.

If your PC came with Windows preinstalled on it, contact

the PC manufacturer.

Restore Windows to an earlier point in

time
You can restore Windows back to an earlier point in time,
called a restore point. System Restore doesn’t change your
personal files, but it might remove recently installed apps
and drivers.

If you're having trouble starting (booting) your PC, you can

restore Windows in the Windows Recovery Environment.
For instructions, see Windows Startup Settings (including
safe mode).

In Windows 7

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and

then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to
the upper-right corner of the screen, move the
mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

2. Enter Control Panel in the search box, and tap or

click Control Panel.

3. Enter Recovery in the Control Panel search box,

and then tap or click Recovery.

4. Tap or click Open System Restore, and then

follow the instructions.

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