Microsoft is currently piloting a new feature within Windows 11, designed to check for memory issues following Blue Screens of Death (BSOD), often colloquially referred to as the “blue screen”.
Upon restarting the machine after a BSOD event, users may be presented with a dialogue box asking: “Do you want to scan memory to find problems?”
Should the user consent, the Windows system will schedule Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to run during the subsequent reboot. This diagnostic process is estimated to take approximately 5 minutes. Upon completion, Windows will display a report detailing whether any anomalies were detected.
This new functionality is positioned as part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to enhance the overall stability of the Windows operating system. The rationale is that certain “blue screen” occurrences can be directly attributed to faulty or corrupted Random Access Memory (RAM).
Amanda Langowski, head of the Windows Insider team, explained that if a computer unexpectedly restarts after a bugcheck – a critical system error – a notification suggesting a memory scan might appear. Performing this scan, she noted, assists the system in early detection and resolution of instabilities caused by memory corruption.
In the initial testing phase, this feature is set to activate following all bugcheck codes. This allows Microsoft’s team to thoroughly analyse which types of errors correlate with memory corruption before refining the feature to target only the most relevant cases in the future.
Presently, the post-BSOD memory scan feature is rolling out exclusively to Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels. Users must have updated to Build 26220.6982 (KB5067109) or Build 26120.6982 (KB5067109), respectively.
However, certain limitations remain: the system is not supported on devices using ARM64 chips, nor does it function on systems where Administrator Protection or BitLocker is enabled without Secure Boot.
The memory scan system aims to verify the integrity of the installed RAM or memory modules. This can check for issues such as a defective module, unstable timing values, or damage resulting from overclocking beyond standard specifications – all potential causes for system freezes or unexpected restarts.
Such incidents are frequently observed on computers under heavy load or those that have been custom-built. The memory scan serves as a straightforward, initial diagnostic step before users resort to seeking professional repair or replacing RAM modules.
Prior to initiating a memory scan, users are advised to take certain precautions. It is recommended to back up all critical data beforehand and ensure that both Windows and all installed drivers are updated to their latest versions.
After the scan, if the system reports RAM problems, users should consider replacing the memory module or reverting any overclocking settings, such as XMP profiles, back to their default values.
If the scan completes without finding any issues, yet the Blue Screen errors persist frequently, users are advised to investigate other hardware components, such as the mainboard or the power supply unit, for potential faults.