Recently, many Microsoft Windows users worldwide have encountered the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) after a recent CrowdStrike update. This article provides a detailed guide on how to resolve this issue, ensuring your system is back to normal functionality.
Understanding the CrowdStrike BSOD Issue
CrowdStrike is a renowned cybersecurity company providing endpoint protection solutions. However, a recent update has caused an unintended consequence, leading to BSOD errors on numerous Windows systems. The error is linked to a specific CrowdStrike driver file that needs to be addressed to resolve the issue.
Symptoms of the Issue
- Your Windows system crashes with a BSOD error after a CrowdStrike update.
- The BSOD error may reference a specific driver file causing the crash.
- Rebooting the system normally leads to repeated BSOD errors.
Resolution Steps
Step 1: Boot Windows into Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. This can help you troubleshoot and resolve issues like the CrowdStrike BSOD.
- Restart your computer.
- As your computer boots, press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems) before the Windows logo appears.
- Use the arrow keys to select “Safe Mode” from the menu and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the CrowdStrike Driver Directory
Once in Safe Mode, you need to locate the problematic driver file.
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the directory:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike.
Step 3: Locate and Delete the Problematic File
In the CrowdStrike directory, you will find a file that starts with C-00000291 and ends with .sys. This file is causing the BSOD error.
- Locate the file matching
C-00000291*.sys. - Right-click the file and select “Delete.”
Step 4: Boot Windows Normally
After deleting the problematic driver file, restart your computer normally.
- Click on the Start menu and select “Restart.”
- Allow your computer to boot into the regular Windows environment.
Alternative: Using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
If Safe Mode is inaccessible, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to resolve the issue.
- Restart your computer.
- As your computer boots, press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems) before the Windows logo appears.
- Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt.”
- In the Command Prompt, navigate to the CrowdStrike driver directory:
cd C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike - Delete the problematic driver file:
del C-00000291*.sys - Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the BSOD issue caused by the recent CrowdStrike update. Booting into Safe Mode or using the Windows Recovery Environment allows you to delete the problematic driver file, enabling your system to function normally again. If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to CrowdStrike support for further assistance.
Keywords
CrowdStrike, BSOD, Blue Screen of Death, Windows, Safe Mode, Windows Recovery Environment, WinRE, CrowdStrike Update Issue
